Reflection of a Glass of Grapes

[Jun Xiang Goh]

Hi. I took this picture as I like the shape and the colour of the grapes. But to me this picture seems a bit weird, is it because of the reflection or anything else?



The following is how i take the picture:
1. The glass of grapes is put on a glass table to get the desired reflection
2. A yellow light bulb is used as the back light
3. The glass is filled with cold water so that the grapes look bigger and there is condensation on the glass
4. Finally i processed it using HDR technique so that all the grapes look evenly lit up

How can I improve it? Your critique is very much appreciated.

[Sterling]

I think the grapes may be too evenly lit. If there was more contrast the roundness of the grapes would be modelled more clearly. I'd be curious to see it without the HDR.

[Jun Xiang Goh]

Thanks for your comment. This is one of the three original photos with EV +0.00. I am not sure whether I should have processed it.

[nathanbarlow]

your originals are better - postprocessing a black background out is hard - can leave a black fuzz line around the object

Also the main problem in my opinion is that you have this softish light coming through the fruit, but a stark white background..... looks PP'd. Reckon the black background looks better.

Also Maybe try toning the light bhind the glass down a bit (using paper/cardbaord if you cant control brightness)

Overall, a nice idea and the source photos are good

[Sterling]

I like the original with the black background much better. The grapes in the glass have much more depth and the lighting looks much more natural.

[Jun Xiang Goh]

oh thanks for all your comments. I will try again next time