guilt on a stick
by MichaelC

Comment:
This is a tough challenge to vote. I'm torn between "what are you trying to do here" and "what do I expect here". Further complicating matters is the question "what would I do here".

What I would expect would be a technically strong piece of eye-candy that would present the dessert in a way that I would want to at least sample it, if not order it. Along these lines I'm looking at technicals: backgrounds, distracting elements, exposure, sharpness. I'm also looking for creativity, imagination, and originality, which can make up for less than perfect technicals.

So, where does this leave me with your image?

Love the shot. Love the image, love the processing.

As for your take on the challenge, though, it's not getting the idea of "dessert" across to me at all. Maybe if you'd gotten up close and personal with someone either creating, serving, sampling, or devouring a dessert. Just my opinion.

I N D U L G E
by IAmEliKatz

Comment:
This is a tough challenge to vote. I'm torn between "what are you trying to do here" and "what do I expect here". Further complicating matters is the question "what would I do here".

What I would expect would be a technically strong piece of eye-candy that would present the dessert in a way that I would want to at least sample it, if not order it. Along these lines I'm looking at technicals: backgrounds, distracting elements, exposure, sharpness. I'm also looking for creativity, imagination, and originality, which can make up for less than perfect technicals.

So, where does this leave me with your image?

The desat doesn't work for me. It just screams shoe-horn. On the other hand, if you'd cropped it square from the left and toned it straight bw, I would have thought you'd put in a nice take on the challenge. Just my opinion, though.

Chocolate Chiboust with dried apples, honey cooked pears and lemon thyme
by mrbig65

Comment:
This is a tough challenge to vote. I'm torn between "what are you trying to do here" and "what do I expect here". Further complicating matters is the question "what would I do here".

What I would expect would be a technically strong piece of eye-candy that would present the dessert in a way that I would want to at least sample it, if not order it. Along these lines I'm looking at technicals: backgrounds, distracting elements, exposure, sharpness. I'm also looking for creativity, imagination, and originality, which can make up for less than perfect technicals.

So, where does this leave me with your image?

While I appreciate your efforts, I would encourage you to keep working at this, trying different compositions until you come up with one that really makes you want to grab a fork and dive right in. As is, that big, dark blob just scares me off.

Shot of Bourbon with Grilled Peach and Macerated Blueberries
by tvsometime

Comment:
This is a tough challenge to vote. I'm torn between "what are you trying to do here" and "what do I expect here". Further complicating matters is the question "what would I do here".

What I would expect would be a technically strong piece of eye-candy that would present the dessert in a way that I would want to at least sample it, if not order it. Along these lines I'm looking at technicals: backgrounds, distracting elements, exposure, sharpness. I'm also looking for creativity, imagination, and originality, which can make up for less than perfect technicals.

So, where does this leave me with your image?

Not for me. I hate the food section of my daily paper, just because they run food photos in black and white. I understand that it's necessary, but that doesn't mean I like it...

Here, I think you have a nice idea that *could* lend itself to some magnificent tones and hues. But, that's just my opinion. If you like it, that's all that matters.

Notes of Sweetness
by CNovack

Comment:
This is a tough challenge to vote. I'm torn between "what are you trying to do here" and "what do I expect here". Further complicating matters is the question "what would I do here".

What I would expect would be a technically strong piece of eye-candy that would present the dessert in a way that I would want to at least sample it, if not order it. Along these lines I'm looking at technicals: backgrounds, distracting elements, exposure, sharpness. I'm also looking for creativity, imagination, and originality, which can make up for less than perfect technicals.

So, where does this leave me with your image?

I get the idea, but this seems to be more of a starting point than the final image. For one, it's too dark and the lighting is imbalanced. Except for the basic shape of the pen, there is no detail. For the note, the ribbon is so hot that it attracts too much attention, competing for attention rather than supporting the subject. By itself, the dessert would have been fine, if just exposed a little more.

Three Cherries on Top
by giantmike

Comment:
This is a tough challenge to vote. I'm torn between "what are you trying to do here" and "what do I expect here". Further complicating matters is the question "what would I do here".

What I would expect would be a technically strong piece of eye-candy that would present the dessert in a way that I would want to at least sample it, if not order it. Along these lines I'm looking at technicals: backgrounds, distracting elements, exposure, sharpness. I'm also looking for creativity, imagination, and originality, which can make up for less than perfect technicals.

So, where does this leave me with your image?

This could have been killer, for me anyways, but is ultimately robbed by the background distraction. It could use a little more balance between the lack of details in the shadows and the blown highlights, but not much.

Well hello there rainbow sprinkles... have you met my tummy?
by O'Holleran

Comment:
This is a tough challenge to vote. I'm torn between "what are you trying to do here" and "what do I expect here". Further complicating matters is the question "what would I do here".

What I would expect would be a technically strong piece of eye-candy that would present the dessert in a way that I would want to at least sample it, if not order it. Along these lines I'm looking at technicals: backgrounds, distracting elements, exposure, sharpness. I'm also looking for creativity, imagination, and originality, which can make up for less than perfect technicals.

So, where does this leave me with your image?

Nice idea, but needs some work. It's could use a little sharpening. I don't mind the over-exposure, but would like to have seen more color in the whiter areas near the back. Also, the way you framed this up, the division between the two rows of cupcakes acts as a divider; if you had shot a little from the left, that line would have run diagonally, leading the eye through the image.

Cookies
by MinsoPhoto

Comment:
This is a tough challenge to vote. I'm torn between "what are you trying to do here" and "what do I expect here". Further complicating matters is the question "what would I do here".

What I would expect would be a technically strong piece of eye-candy that would present the dessert in a way that I would want to at least sample it, if not order it. Along these lines I'm looking at technicals: backgrounds, distracting elements, exposure, sharpness. I'm also looking for creativity, imagination, and originality, which can make up for less than perfect technicals.

So, where does this leave me with your image?

Nice idea, but a little soft. I like the tones, but feel that it is a little imbalanced compositionally.

minute on the lips... life time on the hips...
by Giles

Comment:
This is a tough challenge to vote. I'm torn between "what are you trying to do here" and "what do I expect here". Further complicating matters is the question "what would I do here".

What I would expect would be a technically strong piece of eye-candy that would present the dessert in a way that I would want to at least sample it, if not order it. Along these lines I'm looking at technicals: backgrounds, distracting elements, exposure, sharpness. I'm also looking for creativity, imagination, and originality, which can make up for less than perfect technicals.

So, where does this leave me with your image?

Nice idea, and not badly shot. However, I think that a much, much tighter crop would have given you a much, much stronger image. Take a look at 25% off the left, 20% off the right, and 20-25% off the top. All that wasted space takes away from the impact. Very nice composition, though.

Mango Kebab
by GeneralE

Comment:
This is a tough challenge to vote. I'm torn between "what are you trying to do here" and "what do I expect here". Further complicating matters is the question "what would I do here".

What I would expect would be a technically strong piece of eye-candy that would present the dessert in a way that I would want to at least sample it, if not order it. Along these lines I'm looking at technicals: backgrounds, distracting elements, exposure, sharpness. I'm also looking for creativity, imagination, and originality, which can make up for less than perfect technicals.

So, where does this leave me with your image?

Nice idea, but needs work. As is, this is more about the toothpick than the dessert. Even without the toothpick, the lighting is a bit too harsh, robbing the mango of the detail it needs to bring out the texture needed to balance against the deep blue bowl. It's just not that pleasing visually.