"Flora & Florida"
by KickDrum5150

Comment by DougPaz:
Greetings from the Critique Club };-)

Initial thoughts
Creative idea, meets the challenge, light & focus seem a bit off

Composition/ Content
Great idea of turning the two around. The composition itself is good. A higher angle may have shown more of the reflection which I like. The backlighting was good for the fruit but the way it worked it burned out a couple of the fruit pieces and cast a very distracting glare around the vase. It probably caused the shot to look out of focus as well.

Background
It would have been better not being able to see the edge of the mirror but I can live with it. However, I don't like the two tone background as much. I feel that it detracts from your main subjects.

Camera Work - Technical
Focus seems a bit soft, like I said earlier that may be because of the lighting but it just doesn't feel sharp.

Digital Processing - Technical
Grain seems good, you've used enough pixels and I like the border. A bit more saturation to bring out the colors may have been warrented. If you look at the colors in the reflection they are much brighter and stand out nicely.

Fits The Challenge
Definitely fits the challenge well.

My Opinion On The Photo
I originally scored this shot a five. I think that it meets the challenge well but could have been improved a little to finish even higher than it did. Good job, and keep up the good work.


I would be happy to talk further about this shot if you would like to contact me.
DougPaz

"Flora & Florida"
by KickDrum5150

Comment by Kate:
Love the creative idea! The one spot (on the lower right side) of the vase with the fruits is a bit too distracting for me.

"Flora & Florida"
by KickDrum5150

Comment by Jeileen:
Caught my attention!! Interesting.

"OCB: Obsessive Compulsive Breakfast"
by KickDrum5150

Comment by MajorChaos:
would have been great if you could have made the yokes square!

"OCB: Obsessive Compulsive Breakfast"
by KickDrum5150

Comment by DougPaz:
Congrats on the 1st place Ribbon!! Greetings from the Critique Club };-)

Initial thoughts
Very creative, great color,really meets the challenge, light seems a bit bright

Composition/ Content

The composition is fantastic and what really makes this shot. Everything balances nicely. No matter what I do, my eyes are lead to the square eggs which is really the focal point here. The colors are incredible. The square oranges are what really takes the shot over-the-top IMHO. I shows that you put a lot of work into this one. I believe the ribbon probably made it all worthwhile! LOL

Background
I would have never used that striped background but I feel it really works here. It seems just a wee bit crooked on the left side a little lower but not really enough to worry about.

Camera Work - Technical
The only nit I have here is that the lighting might be a little overpowering. Some areas seem a bit brighter, especially the silverware. It is bright and nicely lit but seems like it could have been even better.

Digital Processing - Technical
I noticed that your comments were about equally divided on your border. I personally feel it may have made the shot. It really seems to tie everything together, both colorwise and shape and size. I agree with one commenter that the eggs could have been just a little whiter (and you need to work on those square yolks for next time!) LOL

Fits The Challenge
Definitely fits the challenge as well or better than any.

My Opinion On The Photo
The votes speak for themselves. A "kickin" shot from KickDrum that truly deserved a ribbon. Great job, and keep up the good work.


I would be happy to talk further about this shot if you would like to contact me.
DougPaz

"Flora & Florida"
by KickDrum5150

Comment by mariomel:
Neat idea, but the lighting and focus have let you down.

"OCB: Obsessive Compulsive Breakfast"
by KickDrum5150

Comment by dbv1:
Wonderful shot! There does seem to be a bit of an orange cast to the whites of the eggs. Correctable in Photoshop? I love the inverted orange slices forming a square. Brilliant!

Message edited by author 2003-02-05 01:57:28.

"Flora & Florida"
by KickDrum5150

Comment by PTLParsons:
To me this would be awesome if the background had been a different color. The flowers shouldn't blend into the table and background, in my opinion. Not sure what I think of the 2 different colored background like that.. The reflection on the table is really an added attraction. I do realize as you've done it is for arttistic sake, and I may be looking at it the wrong way. But it is a well done photo in my opinion. And a one color background would have made it art. But that's just my thoughts. I still like it real well

"Flora & Florida"
by KickDrum5150

Comment by LindaLee:
Much prefer the black negative space side to the red side.

"Flora & Florida"
by KickDrum5150

Comment by kellie:
nice use of reflection