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from mauro1/Mauro (11,510)  
on February 8, 2010 2:34:56 AM CST
(7)
You picked an extremely difficult food subject to try and make interesting Sheila and I applaud you for that. But this particular version IMO does not present the subject in an interesting manner for me personally. The floral brightly colored table cloth does not work in helping me appreciate the presentation of the butter either. It's a distraction because the butter itself is a fairly simple subject. And to be clear here if you had not told me it was butter I would not even be sure that is what it is. And that is where I think you can build on this.
If you look study food magazines or commercials for things like butter, salt, sugar, olive oil, cheese - all simple ingredients, what they will often do is either show the basic ingredients that go into making them (think olives or olive trees for oil) or they show how the products are used (again salad and dressing for olive oil). These are usually in some way part of the composition because just showing the product itself is kind of dull. So for butter I think cows, grass and pitchers filled with cream. I think of pancakes, corn on the cob, bagels, lobster - all slathered in delicious butter. That does not have to be the focus of the photo or the major part of the composition but things like that help build story and interest even if their is just a hint of them in the background OOF. They build an immediate connection to something delicious when what you are trying to photography itself does not look all that delicious by itself. Hope that makes sense.
On the plus side I think the exposure looks good and the color issues I saw in some of your past food photos seems to be gone. Cheers, Mauro.
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From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on February 8, 2010 11:02:02 AM CST
hi Mauro and thanks so much for the honest feedback and all the great suggestions which I will definitely keep in mind the next time I make butter. :) I adore butter and want my photo of my creamy butter to look like butter, so I will definitely re-shoot.
Maybe I'll photograph the butter spread on some bread. You mentioned pancakes...gosh I haven't had those in YEARS. Hmmmmm...perhaps photographing the butter melting on them would be a good excuse to make them again...Yummmm!! :)
Thanks so much for the great ideas, Mauro, and I'll try again the next time I make butter. Hmmmmm...I have some cream in the fridge...maybe tomorrow. :) Cheers! sheila
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from maxart/Max (81,757)
on February 8, 2010 2:30:52 AM CST
(3)
It is very distracting, but it is fun. The question I ask is why would one want to present something that is considered as not too healthy in this way. I am definitely not a politically correct person, but my daughter is a health freak, my sisters seem to have the right opinions, so I guess they have an influence. Technically the back light from the left is not very successful. The butterball has no shape. Color is neutral towards cool. In Scandinavia in the past butter would be bought from wooden casks, and the spoons they used to scoop it out in smaller portions left a distinctive design - that was real butter, make it curl and dance on your mind. ;o)-max-
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From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on February 8, 2010 10:41:23 AM CST
hi Max, You asked an interesting question...why would I want to present something considered unhealthy in fun way. Well, I must confess that butter is my absolute favorite food, and used in moderation it's a wonderful source of energy. :) When I think about butter and when I taste it, well...it's pure delight for my taste buds so I guess that's why I presented it with all those happy daisies. :)
I'm also a bit of a health freak too in that I don't like to eat food which is full of preservatives, chemicals, hormones, antibiotics, and which have been genetically modified. But yes, I do indulge in butter (gives you energy to get through the day), in chocolate (high in antioxidants), and in an occasional glass of red wine (good for preventing the arteries from being clogged). Well...perhaps I'm not so politically correct either. LOL! :)
Anyway, as far as you saying my little butterball has no shape...well...you're quite right, Max. Ah...my poor little butterball is shapeless, and that is a sad thing! I so much would love an antique butter crock and butter mold, and hopefully one day I'll get one. I like this mold a lot!
The next time I make butter I will try to find a way to present it and light it better. I want my picture to make viewers have visions of buttery goodness dancing on their minds! :) Cheers! sheila
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from stainedglass/Kevin (5,592)
on February 8, 2010 2:08:37 AM CST
(3)
Love the colors love the background and excellent sharpness of the butter. I think the angle of the shot could have been more shallower (lower) and less centered to make it more interesting. Also maybe try getting a flower (in bokeh) in the background behind the tip of the butter to show the main subject a bit more, the tip is a bit lost in the white.
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From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on February 8, 2010 9:58:32 AM CST
I really appreciate the suggestions and feedback, Kevin. Thank you. :) Cheers! sheila
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from rfaj/Richard (690)
on February 8, 2010 2:08:32 AM CST
(3)
hello sheila i dont think the background is distracting however in my opinion it doesnt work with ur subject, also u have to consider the use of DoF as it reduce the clarity on the topmost part of ur subject
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From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on February 8, 2010 9:57:08 AM CST
thanks so much for the feedback, Richard. I really appreciate it. :) Cheers! sheila
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from grandcentral101/Roland (8,719)
on February 8, 2010 2:08:32 AM CST
(4)
Hi Sheila, after my one year absence it's wonderful to see you're still here. Hope you're doing well. As for your photo .. I don't think the background is too distracting, because it fits to a "kitchen shot". The biggest issues of your photo (in my opinion) are a.) that you cut off the handle of the pot and b.) that the whole photo appears a bit squeezed and static (in particular due to the centric composition). All in all I'm not an expert in shooting food, and personally I'm not 100% convinced of the attractivity of the motif either (hope you forgive me for saying that, lol). However, the idea behind the the photo is creative, but I think the motif has more potential than it shows here. Anyways, thanks for sharing and best regards, Roland.
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From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on February 8, 2010 9:56:23 AM CST
hi Roland, Thanks so much for the input on my picture...no need to apologize for telling me it's not so attractive. I want honest feedback, and I appreciate you taking the time to tell me your impressions.
Welcome back to the SIG by the way. I'm doing quite well...just getting a little stir-crazy for springtime. :) Hope you're doing well yourself. :) Cheers! sheila
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