in the mood for a spring breakfastby
redpandaComment by Artyste: Hello, and greetings from the Critique Club. Let me get right to it..
Initial Thoughts
Like in my original comment, one of my first thoughts when viewing this is that it has a very wintery, chilly feel. This contradicts your title for me, so I study a little closer. Obviously, those are blossom petals, and not snow or hail, yet the coloring and contrast still say "cold" to me. See what I mean?
Composition/Content
First off, the image is a little small. This will *always* affect a score in DPC. One of the first rules of thumb is to always use the maximum size of 640 pixels to show your photo in the best light. Compositionally, I feel that it's a little off. More centered focus of the bowl and glass, it being your main subject, would have helped. I don't mean centered in the photo, but definitely brought down some more in order for us, as the viewer, to notice it quicker and more strongly.
Also, the full glass, but empty bowl, is a little confusing.
Background
There is a lot going on in this photo, despite the relative emptiness of objects, and there is no real background to speak off. You have the grass in the corner, which seems gratuitous, and the smattering of blossom petals. It all just seems to flow around chaotically.
Camera Work / Technical
You've got a good wide DOF, which is good for this particular shot, but the exposure is too dark for a: spring and b: morning(which is your typical breakfast time). As I keep mentioning, the darkness is just too reminiscent of fall or winter, despite the petals, and it doesn't feel like morning at all. You do, however, have good exposure on the bowl and glass, with just a touch of blow-out evident.
Digital Processing
I can't be sure what you did here, since you didn't list anything, but what I would have suggested is maybe a bit of a soft-focus effect, and warmer, brighter lighting tones, to fit your title.
Fits the Challenge
This is a challenge where subjectivity rules the day, but I feel that you were quite weak on meeting this challenge for two reasons.
a: your title gives us one mood, yet the lighting and feel of your photo a different one
b: You are trying to evoke a mood from the viewer, instead of showing a mood to the viewer from a subject. Now, while this is *purely* a subjective opinion, I felt that it went against the challenge spirit.
My Opinion of the Photo
With the image too small, the lighting too bleak, and the mood not entirely evident, I find this to be a very average entry. You have some good ideas here, but I feel the execution could have been stronger. Remember though, this is just my opinion.
Good luck on future challenges, and I look forward to seeing more of your work.
Photographer found comment helpful.
