Chaplinby
basia03Comment by graphicfunk: From the critique club:
I am embarrassed to admit that I was never a Chaplin fan abd as such the meaning here is beyond my comprehension. I will therefore address the shot from a compositional and technique point of view.
Also, allow me to add that the chocolate here is more of an addition as a dressing to the buns. This is not to deny your freedom to use chocolate in any manner you please, but only to point out that whenever you depart from the focus of chocolate you risk irritating those who did use chocolate as their main theme. It does not bother me, I rather see less as I almost got insulen shock while voting.
First, this is a very well composed visual with a hidden tilt of humor. Of course, it is food oriented but nevertheless the image is pleasing and does have a unique twist with the parallel lines running down. The forks and buns are in advantageous placing and the fingers very well posed. The picture has clarity at the cost of distracting shadows and here lies the major problem. You should always look at such a composition as a studio shot. This does not mean you need a studio, but you need studio lighting which means at minimum 2 lights and a couple of poster boards as reflectors. I have been in the photography business for many years. Since I got my Cannon 10D, I have yet to use the built in flash. I even avoid direct light most of the time. What this picture needed was a combination of lights. You could have presented the same clarity but with less strong shadows. Remember, photograpy is represented basically with light and shadow and strong shadows draw the eyes with the same force as highlights. You go to the shadow to receive a reward of finding some detail or serving as a contrast to the higher zones. When a shadow exist that adds no interest, then we have a minor problem. This is the major draw back to frontal flashes. They follow the eye level and leave obtrusive shadows. If you look at the image before you take it, you will usually find it pleasing but when you add the frontal light, it changes the meaning.
The picture has enough charm to stand on its own and one can see that you paid attention to detail, yet in order to compete, the lighting should have consisted of one main light with a fill. Also, to give it more interest a better choice of newer silverware, since the forks are very prominent.
I note in your comments that you are pleased with this choice. This is, after all, what matters most. I see enough reason to agree with you. You know, once we move a picture over to a studio look it changes character somewhat.
To conclude: It is a strong and interesting composition with the minor problem of the shadows competing with the image. Even with this, I too like the picture. dan
Message edited by author 2004-08-02 10:26:06. 
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