Critic My Picture Plz

Anyone here ?

it would be easier if we could see it on a large screen. at a glance, red on red is hard to view. it would contrast better if they were different color. its actually hard to focus on because the bright half on the left is where i'm looking. but the main subject is the spoon on the end. and it's in shadow, and way to close to the edge. it could use better light, something that highlights the contours of the spoons. and maybe a chisel showing us its hand made. otherwise i don't know why there are those wood chips.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Thanks a lot Mike Savad ....intresting advises as usual !

Najlae,

Nice shot! I think that this color,"pinkish" is a hard color to sell and design around. I might de-saturate the "reds" and see what it looks like. Without having the "green box" turned on, hard to look at details,

Rich

I don't mind the red on red. However, if there were shadows under the spoons it might create some contrast and break the image up a bit.

First thing:
Tell us what it is:
Tell us where this photo was made:
Tell us why you made the picture:
...what compelled you to make this picture?
Is there a story?
...about the person who made those spoons.

Second question (to ask yourself)
..."would I hang this picture on my wall?" ....
..."could this image be placed in a magazine to advertise something?" ....
..."is this an example of FINE ART?" ....

Suggestions:
....see how it might look in black and white
....if possible, re-shoot the spoons using different camera positions and lighting and include the tools used to carve them. (chisels,files,sand paper, varnish etc.)
"pretend" that you are photographer for "Wood Carving" magazine. ...or "The Country Kitchen" magazine and imagine who your audience might be.
Imagine this image used as backround for an ad for a wood varnish company.

Try to imagine all of the ways this image could be used to advertise something and then ask yourself, "could I produce a better image?"

Next time don't shoot so tight or crop so tight. Leave a little more room around the spoons for making minor crop changes to suit many uses.

You want to allow the spoons to "shine in the spotlight". If they were people, how would you capture their best angle. If the person asked you to make his hand made
spoons look the very best they can look, then that could be your motivation for carefully selecting the proper lens and camera position and lighting.

I WANT to love those hand-carved wood spoons from just seeing your photo. Make me want to buy them from just looking at your photos. That's what a powerful composition
can do. Don't be afraid to experiment with different positions with the spoons.
Imagine those spoons in an auction catalog. How would you photograph them for a Christie's Auction Catalog.

These are some questions to ask yourself the next time you photograph someone's art. Remember that the person who carved those spoons is VERY proud of his/hers skills
and talents just as you are of your photography. Take your time to see all of the details and show us why you fell in love with those spoons.


Keep making pictures and art!

--Ken.

The picture of you is cute.

Najlae,

I dont understand the lighting or the table top? The wood shavings?

I dont understand the lighting source.

I would want a clearer simpler story from an image
like that. If you are going for a more abstracted look,
then go even more so to the abstract.

Just me, but I dont like half measures.

Do I like the photo? A little bit, but I am disturbed by
to serving spoons that are facing upside down. (In my culture
they are somewhat upside down)

Is it a good photo? Yes. But you asked for stronger
criticisms.

Dave

thanks so much for everyone( Mike,Rich, Tamara, Ken Young, Ted and Dave) for all great and intresting advises. Sure i must and i try to create from my image a story and focus on person and tools. thankssssss lot for your awesome help.

Excellent post, Ken!

THANKS Isabella