Salt and Pepper
by BigSmiles

Comment by DougPaz:
Nice macro, perhaps cropped a bit too tight on the lids. It seems a little blue as well.

Salt and Pepper
by BigSmiles

Comment by muckpond:
I can see your reflection in the lids of the shakers. Otherwise, a great idea.

Shiny stuff is hard.

Alone In Hiding
by BigSmiles

Comment by Diana:
This would be total despair to me ! Well done

Salt and Pepper
by BigSmiles

Comment by Fibre Optix:
I could see this in a stock book. 9

Salt and Pepper
by BigSmiles

Comment by clues56:
I think there is too much of a blue case, but I like the clarity.

Salt and Pepper
by BigSmiles

Comment by jmsetzler:
nice work :) I like the blue cast on this image... it works well... excellent detail also :) - setzler

Salt and Pepper
by BigSmiles

Comment by crabappl3:
Nice composition. The lighting is even across the shakers and no large glare or hot spot. The one thing that stands out is that the salt shaker is in focus while the pepper shaker is not. This throws off the symetry of the shot. When working with just two main subjects that are near identical, the eye wants to see them as such. I like the angle and tight crop presented here. One last thing to note, when working with shiny objects, make sure that finger prints and smudges are wiped clean prior to your shoot. Although very small, there is a smudge on the pepper shaker. Again, the eye is looking at this even though you may not realize it while viewing. Nice shot.

Candlelight Romance
by BigSmiles

Comment by indigo997:
Hey!
You know what I think is the coolest about this shot? The candle reflections in the glass. That's just too cool. My least favorite thing is the fake flowers. They're too dark to really make out well, and who gives fake flowers for Valentines Day? ;P
I think that still lifes are really hard to do well. You have to have great color or lines or texture to pull it off, because you're dealing with inanimate, cold objects for the most part. It is a good chance to work on lighting, exposure, focus etc, but the biggest challenge is keeping it from getting boring. Technically, this is pretty good. Focus is good. The exposure might've been a bit too long. A shorter shutter speed would have prevented the starburst effect on the flames in the back and it would've helped with the front candle - where I'd rather see a flame than just a bright white area.
I'm really not sure how to help the composition. Somehow this just isn't saying "love" like it should. If it were something set up for someone then I would expect a real rose, a card, a jewelry box or some body oil... maybe chocolate covered strawberries even. This is just too symmetric and not personal enough to draw the viewer in or make them care about it.
Overall, it is a quality shot that obviously took some thought and skill. The subject matter just isn't emotionally involving enough. I think that technically poor shots usually get shot down on dpc so at least you've conquered that demon. Now it's just a matter of finding the right subjects.

Alone In Hiding
by BigSmiles

Comment by briphoto:
You make a good cultural statement here, I like your idea. Maybe it would have been a better shot with different lighting? It seems too bright to me. I feel some shadows in the eyes would have given a better effect? Only a suggestion.

Alone In Hiding
by BigSmiles

Comment by Malokata:
This implies...that Islamic women are despairing? I don't think I understand.