Critiques
This photo currently has 13 conforming critiques.
Since there are already at least three conforming critiques, if you write a conforming critique for this photo, then you will receive only the usual one critique point every time another user rates your critique helpful.
Write a critique
If you find one of these critiques especially helpful--or especially unhelpful--then please take a moment to register your opinion by clicking one of the buttons to the right of the critique.
|
|
from wdeon/Wayne (8,931) 
on March 30, 2010 9:22:28 AM CDT
(1)
Yum, yum. Those blueberries alone would break the bank here in Japan. Well made thought a few things came to mind looking at the photo..... other than wanting to eat. The colour balance seems just a tad off but I am basing that on my thought that the cream would be more white than it is. The coloured background/tablecover draws the eye away from the food. Third would be that the photo is a bit tight focused pretty well solely on the cake and blueberries. Looks seriously tasty, though;)
Reply
Show ratings
|
From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104) 
on March 30, 2010 9:42:00 AM CDT
Thanks so much for the feedback, Wayne. :) Glad it looks tasty to you. :) I see what you're saying about the color balance looking off because of the cream. There's a colorless vanilla that many bakers use with whipping cream to get white whipped topping, but I don't use that. :) Thanks again for your input. :) Cheers! sheila
Reply
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
from zshan/Zeeshan (515)
on March 29, 2010 6:17:15 PM CDT
(2)
Sheila,
The Vanilla fluff looks very scrumptious! The detail stands out well here and the lighting helps in making the flaky pastry and cream layers look very delicious. But the color of the serving plate and the background doesn't help this image. It makes the color of the dessert look a bit off.
Best, Zeeshan
Reply
Show ratings
|
|
From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on March 29, 2010 7:12:44 PM CDT
Thanks so much for the feedback on this one, Zeeshan. :) I really appreciate it. :) Cheers! sheila
Reply
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
from minis/Mindaugas (6,427)
on March 13, 2010 3:35:47 PM CST
(3)
Hi, Sheila,
Very tasty looking piece. I like the composition and selective sharpness of the picture. The arrangement of berries also is very fine. One thing that i find slightly odd that creme on the fluff has some brownish yellow cast or something. I think that if it was white it would be better, as well as the plate. i like the background color though. cheers!
Reply
Show ratings
|
|
From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on March 13, 2010 10:38:39 PM CST
hi Mindaugas, thanks so much for the feedback on this one. :) You're right that the cream looks brownish. That's from the pure, organic, vanilla extract that I added. I used a lot of vanilla, and the more vanilla that's added to the cream, the more of brownish color it becomes. :) Have a nice weekend, sheila
Reply
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
from baba/David (38,576)
on March 5, 2010 9:46:21 AM CST
(3)
The focus and depth of filed look very good. The composition seems a little awkward which would certainly be improved if the hunt didn't have the cropping restraints. The purple contrasts with the yellow quite boldly, but I am not so sure purple works well in a food photo.
Reply
Show ratings
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
from angedazur/Jean (15,068)
on February 23, 2010 7:12:56 PM CST
(3)
Hi Sheila,
I am not a sugar men ( i dont know the expression in english ) but this photo make me want taste this for sure as its very apeatesing.
I am not sure that this thigth crop was the best choice in this context, i would like to see more of the plate.
I am a bit distracted by thos hot spot s blueberry caused maybe by the too harshed ligth. talking about the ligting it taste a bit too flat to my taste . Its seems to have a bit purple color cast in the white but maybe its my monitor.
Nice work, Jean.
Reply
Show ratings
|
|
From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on February 23, 2010 9:03:37 PM CST
hi Jean and thanks so much for your input on this one. :) You're right...it is a bit on the flat side. I didn't notice until others pointed it out. Your monitor is fine. The plate does have a little cast. I actually removed the cast...or so I thought...but later I realized there was still some color there. Glad the dessert looked appetizing to you even though you're not a sugar man. (that expression is perfect.) :) Thanks again, sheila
Reply
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
from cremmins/Ian (6,707)
on February 17, 2010 3:02:15 PM CST
(5)
I have seen so many cooking shows this last year i feel almost like an expert when it comes to critiquing food, the colour just seems a little dull to me, the cream should look white (i think)but it has a dull bone colour, it may be my monito i dont know, i do know it doesnt look white, the shallow DOF is evident but not sure if its such a big deal, but it does look like a nice home cooked dessert
Reply
Show ratings
|
|
From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on February 17, 2010 3:15:30 PM CST
Thanks so much for the input, Ian. :) The cream is an off-white color. The more vanilla I use the more off-white it get. I think your monitor's fine. I think you're right that the cream looks a little dull. I'll see if there's anything I can do to remedy that. :) Thanks again. :) Cheers! sheila
Reply
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
from oledk/Ole (5,332)
on February 17, 2010 1:42:58 PM CST
(6)
The cake certainly looks delicious. And healty - think of all those blueberries :-)
Unfortunately, the background is rather awful. A neutral grey would have been best but even light yellow to match the pastry cream.
The light is not good either. I guess that you have used two bare flashes or lamps, one at each side. You really need to soften up at least the main light, and make a difference in intensity between the main and the secondary light. If you can't adjust the output of the lamps, you can move one light further away from the subject than the other one. If you double the distance, it corresponds to two f-stops in intensity.
Reply
Show ratings
|
|
From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on February 17, 2010 1:55:54 PM CST
hi Ole, I really appreciate the suggestion and input. :) I wish I had a gray or light yellow fabric so I could try this again and see how it looks. I'm using this set-up for my food photos. Three of the lights are being diffused, but the ones in the front are not.
When I get ready to photograph a raspberry jelly roll later today that my husband made, I'll try using only one light in the front and see if that helps. Or I might get my husband to assist me by holding a piece of paper in front of those two fronts lights to diffuse them. It's worth a try. :) Thanks so much again. :) Cheers! sheila
Reply
|
|
|
From oledk/Ole (5,332)
on February 17, 2010 2:16:48 PM CST
A sheet of paper might steal too much light. A white bedsheet (or a white translucent shower curtain) hung 2-3 feet from the light is perfect for diffusion. Using your husband as a lightstand is perfect - there even is an acronym for that: VAL: Voice Activated Lightstand :-)
Or you could buy one of those cheap foldable 5 in one reflectors, there is usually a diffusor included. One example is here.
Reply
|
|
|
From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on February 17, 2010 3:17:43 PM CST
I've never seen a 5 in 1 reflector with diffuser. Thanks for showing me. :)
You're right that the sheet of paper stole too much light. I just tried it and it made my shadows too dark. VAL...LOL! :) Thanks again, sheila
Reply
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
from lakecarole/Carole (10,372)
on February 17, 2010 12:59:14 PM CST
(7)
Jeez Sheila I don't want to critique this, I want to eat it. Looks great, I don't mind the cropped berries But not sure about bg color. I do think a little more dof as already suggested would be good. Your arrangement is great.
When and where is this being served. Great job. Carole
Reply
Show ratings
|
|
From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on February 17, 2010 1:47:32 PM CST
Thanks so much for the suggestions and feedback, Carole. :) I'm so glad it looks appetizing to you. I'd love it if you and Karin could join me for coffee, dessert, and some girl talk! I have plenty to share!! :) Thanks again! Cheers! sheila
Reply
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
from karin2007/Karin (19,610)
on February 17, 2010 12:23:08 PM CST
(10)
OMG Sheila! That's exactly what I would need right now!! Looks so delicious
this dessert ... it's mouth watering. Hope I can find the recipe on you homepage!
The diagonal placement works well and and having the cake in the middle also
looks good due to the diagonal turn of the plate. The chosen bg color is good
too, a good color match, but maybe blue would look better. The cropping though could be improved. I'd prefer to
see a whole blueberry in the front and on the right as well. The plate looks
pinkish, I guess it is reflecting the bg a bit, I think I'd prefer a white plate
here.
Overall a very nice shot that could be used in any cooking book as a nice
illustration.
Cheers, Karin
Reply
Show ratings
|
|
From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on February 17, 2010 1:11:41 PM CST
hi Karin, Thanks so much for the feedback on this! I'm glad it looks delicious to you and makes your mouth water. :)
I agree that a blue background would have looked better, but I don't have any blue fabric so I tried to find the next best match. I did try to remove the color cast on the plate, but now that I look again, I'm also seeing the pink tones that you're seeing. Hmmmmm...guess I didn't remove enough color. I'll see what I can do to fix that. :)
You can the recipe here. It makes a pretty big cake. I sure am wishing I could share it and a cup of coffee with you. :)
Thanks again. :) Cheers! sheila
P.S. Thanks for pointing out that my camera field entry was incorrect. I copied and pasted the wrong thing from my word pad. Oops! :)
Reply
|
|
|
From karin2007/Karin (19,610)
on February 17, 2010 1:15:13 PM CST
Thanks for the recipe! I'd love to have coffee and cake one day with you - maybe we'll make it, one never knows ... BTW I removed my remark about the camera field as I saw you edited it -
Reply
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
from robchant/Robert (8,932)
on February 17, 2010 12:13:55 PM CST
(9)
Hi Shelia, I knew you'd come thru with the food! I agree with John that the DOF is just a touch too shallow and would also like to see the berries on top more in focus. I agree with David about the clipped berries, (although I don't consider it as bad as losing an arm mind you), I just think that I would like them better if they were all in the frame. I'd also have to agree with Rick that I am not over fond of the purple background, but I think that I would rather have it coloured than white, just not sure what colour. I think you did a great job with this, and I hope you have some for all participants in the hunt! Take care, Rob.
Reply
Show ratings
|
|
From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on February 17, 2010 1:43:02 PM CST
Thanks so much for the feedback, Robert. :) I had a hard time choosing the background...didn't have blue so tried to go with the next best thing. It's a bread basket liner my mom made for me. The other side of the liner has a busy, bright pattern. I also used that as a background, but I liked the solid better.
I have plenty of cake for all the Hunt participants with plenty more to share. Kemal also made a raspberry jelly roll last night. Good grief...how we gonna eat it all? I sure do wish we could share with everyone...reckon we'll take a bunch of it in to work and share with our co-workers. :)
Reply
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
from cryptoref/David (4,231)
on February 17, 2010 11:48:02 AM CST
(10)
This does look good. But it's breakfast time and i should not be eating desert. I love the lighting, the reflections on all of the berries and the filling are really good. I like how the bg mimics the blueberries in color. i am not fond of the cut off berry in the front. For me it's kinda like cutting off an arm. Just doesn't feel right. Could be a product of the no crop rule we are living under for this hunt.
Reply
Show ratings
|
|
From robinab/Robin (55,891)
on February 17, 2010 12:57:12 PM CST
You should never be eating 'desert' David. Too much sand! (You mean dessert...)
Reply
|
|
|
From robinab/Robin (55,891)
on February 17, 2010 1:18:14 PM CST
I just didn't want you to make an 'S' of yourself! In this case, that one S is the difference between mouth watering vs, mouth drying. :)R
Reply
|
|
|
From cryptoref/David (4,231)
on February 17, 2010 1:32:42 PM CST
But but, my spell checker didn't complain, it HAD to be write.
Reply
|
|
|
From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on February 17, 2010 1:18:57 PM CST
Ah...but that's not dessert, David. It's a nice healthy breakfast...got your fruit, cream, and a little pastry! Ha ha! I had shredded wheat with blueberries for breakfast but my eyes were on this cake! Okay...I admit it...I couldn't resist and had a couple bites! Ah what the hell...we only live once! :)
Thanks so much for the input. I see what you're saying about the cut berry. :) Cheers! sheila
Reply
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
from johngoyer/John (84,210)
on February 17, 2010 11:46:41 AM CST
(11)
This looks pretty yummy to me! at first i was thinking i didn't like the cropped blueberries right and bottom, but after a bit i decided they help the composition which would be too static if you centered everything and had all the berries included. Exposure is very good with detail in the whites and dark areas, and the texture of the filling is excellent. I think I'd prefer a little more depth of field to keep the back berries (on top) sharper (or focus a little further back), and I might try to move the plate or clone the white detail very close to the lower left corner - 2 more hours til lunch - sigh.... John
Reply
Show ratings
|
|
From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on February 17, 2010 1:13:55 PM CST
Thanks so much for the suggestions and input, John. I'll see if I can clone that part you're talking about since I found it annoyingly distracting. Gotta go take a few more pictures in a couple minutes though. :) Thanks again...hope you hold out till lunch. :) Cheers! sheila
Reply
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
from olmosfamily/Enrique (42,782)
on February 17, 2010 11:44:11 AM CST
(10)
Not too keen on the purple background but the dessert does, as it should, look like it will be fun to eat.
Focus is good and exposure adequately done. The berries add a nice touch. Overall a nice entry, Sheila.
Reply
Show ratings
|
|
From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on February 17, 2010 1:06:12 PM CST
Glad it looks fun, Rick...that's exactly what I wanted. :) Thanks a bunch for your input. :) Cheers! sheila
Reply
|
|
|
|
Comments
Comments are different from critiques. Comments carry no rating, you may write more than one comment per photo, and you may comment on your own photos. If you want to rate this photo, then you should write a critique instead.
Add a comment
|
From robinab/Robin (55,891)
on February 17, 2010 12:55:29 PM CST
I bet you made this too!
Reply
|
|
From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on February 17, 2010 1:04:17 PM CST
LOL! Yep...last night...and we have WAY too much of it to eat. *sigh* Making it is the easy part...trying to eat it all...Yikes! Usually we end up sharing with our co-workers. They're always happy to help us devour it all. :)
Reply
|
|
|
From karin2007/Karin (19,610)
on February 17, 2010 1:11:46 PM CST
PLEASE Sheila, tell me your secret: How do you stay so slim eating all those wonderful desserts? I put on weight by just looking at that stuff ...
Reply
|
|
|
From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on February 17, 2010 1:38:03 PM CST
I'd like to be slim again, Karin, but I'm "plumpy." Here's a practice self-portrait pic I took yesterday or the day before that shows my plumpiness.
I don't mind being plumpy...okay...I'd rather be about 10 pounds less, but not if means skipping dessert. :)
Reply
|
|
|
From oledk/Ole (5,332)
on February 17, 2010 1:44:52 PM CST
If that is plump, then I am down right fat. Shiela, you are not plump at all.
Reply
|
|
|
From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on February 17, 2010 2:07:04 PM CST
I think I'm plumpy. I have plenty of "padding." LOL! :) My doctor says my weight is just right though. Go figure. :)
Reply
|
|
|
From karin2007/Karin (19,610)
on February 17, 2010 11:31:55 PM CST
LOL - My morning starts depressing, if you consider yourself "plumpy" I think I skip the self-portrait category :-)
Reply
|
|
|
From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on February 18, 2010 12:22:43 AM CST
Oh no! I hope you're just teasing about skipping the self-portrait category, Karin. I don't want you to skip it because I see myself as plumpy. I will feel so awful if how I see myself has made you feel bad in some way. :(
Reply
|
|
|
From johngoyer/John (84,210)
on February 17, 2010 4:39:00 PM CST
sigh.... please don't define yourself as plump - it's really depressing for those of us who REALLY like food ;-) I'm going to have to think thin thoughts for my self-portrait this weekend..... J
Reply
|
|
|
From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on February 17, 2010 11:21:31 PM CST
I'm like you...just LOVE food!! But calling myself plump isn't a derogatory put-down of myself or anything. I'm just not slim and plumpy seems to be an accurate description so that's why I call myself that. :) I am glad I have curves and some meat on my bones. :) Kemal likes that too, and I'm healthy so it's all good. :) Still...I can't shake that idea of wishing I was about 10 pounds lighter. Reckon I like the idea of eating dessert more though. :)
Reply
|
|
Return to photos
|
