A hint of mint
by
marboComment: Hello from the Critique Club- Your picture has just been freed from my hostage pile.
I don't need to tell you this is a wonderful photo! It has a little red ribbon to prove it. And you got a great selection of comments that reads like a who's who of DPC.
I can review this photo by summarizing the comments. For your technical work you got high scores. Your focus is right on. Your lighting is exquisite, a soft cool light from the opposite direction from the movement of the composition. Some people thought you need just a bit more contrast in the shadows, I think not. And the thin black border works to define and compliment the high key image, especially important on DPC where the background is a neutral grey .
As for composition you have included quite a lot of the classic compositional elements for such a simple picture. I like the merging of background and foreground. I like the repetative rhythm, and that it creates a sense of motion, the Polos seem to be rolling. The color, or lack of it, is subtle, this is not a black and white image, it is a white and white image. The strong leading line bends slightly and leads from front to back, left to right. An image that reads left to right is considered to be dynamic (contributes to the sensation that the mints are rolling) while one that reads right to left is more static. Your line is composed of rolling circles so the viewers eye rolls back into the picture for another and another look. If you can lure the viewer back into the scene, the image gets the attention it deserves. You have created a perspective - the circles diminishing is size on into infinity. The line of candy divides the image into two areas of negative space unequal in size but balanced visually because the larger (more weight0 on is on the bottom.
An effecive photograph is a simple one. The simpler the image, the stronger the statement. Also I think you cleaned up the votes for originality. The white on white is stunning and especially so when the theme of candy conjures up color to most people. It feels to me like this picture is an exension of your astronomy and moon shots, turning the scientific into art.
I have to say, though, that my favorite picture of yours was the portrait of two kids, a long time ago.
Photographer found comment helpful.
