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Cappuccino pic-- C&C welcome

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Cheep

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Took this one for a local rag's profile of a coffee shop. (It's amazing that I have these folks fooled into thinking I know what I'm doing!)

This is with my D50, 1.8 50mm, tripod, natural light. f/8, 1/50th sec, ISO 200.

 
I like that the lighter pattern on the table creates the illusion of steam rising from the cup. Nicely done.

-Raf
 
Cheep said:
Took this one for a local rag's profile of a coffee shop. (It's
amazing that I have these folks fooled into thinking I know what I'm
doing!)

This is with my D50, 1.8 50mm, tripod, natural light. f/8, 1/50th
sec, ISO 200.

Click to expand...
Cappuccino itself looks delicious (and I dislike coffee in all forms). What points to my eye is that the background table/tablet splits the scene little bit uncomfortable way. Also spoon is in front of the cup and cups "ear" is pointing left. This gives me a feeling that I am looking at someone elses coffee cup.

Maybe you could try to use only the table or the tablet as the background?

--mikko-
 
I hadn't thought about the handle facing left. I guess it would only bother right-handed people...

The table was actually a hand-painted table, with a gloss finish-- nothing else was on the table. The difference between the deep purple and the orange/green is a bit disconcerting, I guess.

Thanks for the input!
 
mikkoj said:
Cheep said:
Took this one for a local rag's profile of a coffee shop. (It's
amazing that I have these folks fooled into thinking I know what I'm
doing!)

This is with my D50, 1.8 50mm, tripod, natural light. f/8, 1/50th
sec, ISO 200.

Click to expand...
Cappuccino itself looks delicious (and I dislike coffee in all
forms). What points to my eye is that the background table/tablet
splits the scene little bit uncomfortable way. Also spoon is in front
of the cup and cups "ear" is pointing left. This gives me a feeling
that I am looking at someone elses coffee cup.

Maybe you could try to use only the table or the tablet as the
background?

--mikko-
Click to expand...
Very nice job Mikko even though it is fairly centered, it works in this composition for me. Dave

--
Visit my gallery at http://www.poperotzy.smugmug.com
There is a link for saving on your own Smugmug account.

 
Hi
Yes nice pic.

However its a real bug of mine, in some places of Europe they serve Cappuccino using Squirty cream. Should be frothed milk!
Sorry to be a moan!
 
I hate to say it, but I think it is not a good photo. Everybody is trying to be nice, but I think you can learn much more from each other if there is some fair critisism. The subject is centered, there is too much background with a lot of dirt on the darker left side. There is in my opinion too much dept of field. And there isn't much interesting going on in the picture. Try a larger aperture (smaller f-number, you can get a very beautifull bokey with that lens) and focus on something which you think would be essential or interesting for the photo. Also, try different viewpoints, get in closer, etc.
 
Well I actually meant what I said. I really like the photo; the warm colors, the color of the spoon on the saucer, and the tablecloth giving it some pop.

I guess I can't speak for anyone else but when I say I enjoy something I do.
 
Thanks for the comments, and I agree that this is the way we learn.

I agree that the composition is not that interesting. I'm very new at this, but one thing that bugs me about lots of food photography is the depth of field is SO narrow that only the leading edge of a dish is in focus. To me, that's not a good way to present a dish, especially for a restaurant review in a paper. However, I think I may have swung a bit far in the other direction with this shot-- the entire cup is in focus, but then so is much of the background. This was f8-- perhaps closer to f4?
 
Well, you can like it as a picture of course, but judged as a photo it just isn't good. When you know something about photography, you know it is somewhat possible to judge a photo by a few things. For example: composition, framing, depth of field, use of lines, balance (also in colour), etc.. You can like the cup of cappuchino of course, but as a photo it is just not good. Just take a look at the background. Try this: post this picture on any serious forum where there is also a lot of talk about photography, instead of mostly talking about hardware (such as this forum, which btw is why I like this forum so it is no complaint), and just see what the critics will be.... And the poster of this picture is asking for critics because he knows he can learn from it. Well, I think you have to judge the picture as a "photo".

If you really think that this is a good photo, I would like to suggest to read a good photobook and than judge again. I'm not trying to be negative or something like that. If you think I'm rude because of the way I say this, I apologize to that.
 
Begea said:
I hate to say it, but I think it is not a good photo. Everybody is
trying to be nice, but I think you can learn much more from each
other if there is some fair critisism. The subject is centered, there
is too much background with a lot of dirt on the darker left side.
There is in my opinion too much dept of field. And there isn't much
interesting going on in the picture. Try a larger aperture (smaller
f-number, you can get a very beautifull bokey with that lens) and
focus on something which you think would be essential or interesting
for the photo. Also, try different viewpoints, get in closer, etc.
Click to expand...
--Hey, it's a photo of a cup of cappuccino, not a photo of Marilyn Monroe or the space shuttle landing. Your "critisism" is unwarranted, and it doesn't need "bokey" (and bokeh is not necessary in advert shots anyway). As for the way the photo affected me, I'm going right down to my kitchen to fire up my machine and have one!
Tom



http://www.flickr.com/photos/provocative/
http://storiesontheweb.blogspot.com/
 
Yes, you can try that, or even a smaller number like 2.8 or 1.8. Try to lower your angle and get a more balancing backgroung. You can try to get the coffeeshop in the background, but in a way that it is in your bockey (small f-number). You can try to turn around the cup and look at different viewpoints and angels. Als try higher f-numbers if you change your composition. I thing it may be better if the spoon is not just straight horizontal in the picture. Maybe somebody can hold the cup in his/here hands and than explore the possibilities. If you like to keep things simple, take the photo from a higher viewpoint, but be aware that the surroundings of the cup (like the table) don't distract the attention.

For example: do a search on flickr.com for the word cappuccino or cappuchino. I see some beautiful examples.

But I must say, it is really difficult to get a beautiful and interesting shot of something like a cup of coffee. But you have a great lens, and with some practice you can get it. Also, don't forget you can post-process. On most pictures of this kind of items (see restaurant books, cooking books) has been done PP (see the out of focus area's...).
 
Well Deecy, drink that cappuccino en take a moment and just READ what I wrote. Cheep is asking for critics. And I just give him something he can think about to do. You won't help him by saying you'll get a cup of cappuccino yourself after seeing this picture.

Cheep, if you want honest and more serious opinions about a picture, don't post it in this forum. It won't help you I'm afraid....
 
Deecy said:
--Hey, it's a photo of a cup of cappuccino, not a photo of Marilyn
Monroe or the space shuttle landing. Your "critisism" is unwarranted,
Click to expand...
Unwarranted? Do you mean that the crit is without authorisation, or carries no guarantee?

I'm with Begea all the way, if that offers any kind of warranty. C&C was what was asked for, and that's what he gave, and listed a few pointers which would improve the image. Now if this was a coffee site, then true, the comments would be without purpose, but here, I reckon it is exactly what is needed.

And to the photo. Its a cup of coffee. Not something I get excited about. I first looked at it and wondered why the shot was taken? But Cheep says it was for a local rag, so it appears it got published.

Now if it were an out and out advert shot I'd reject it in and instant. All the points already listed, plus the cup isn't level in the shot, the crop at the base is way too tight and the lighting isn't adding any interest. I'd want more design in the shot - the placement of the spoon, the integration of the background, and the lighting. A shot like this should either be absolutely immaculate - every detail considered, or have some kind of expression.

Though that is no doubt beyond the scope of this site.

The strength of the shot is the exposure values and colour look accurate.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/leechypics/

Make your own mind up - there are no rules in this game.
 
You are correct in that I do not know the "rules" of photography. But, then again, I venture to guess that most people who buy photographs probably don't know the rules. They do know what they like. I think with "art" in general we like what grabs us and we don't think, "Gee, I'm not sure that the composition is quite correct. I really don't for the most part like rules. I have seen pictures that follow the rules (at least the rule of thirds) that just didn't seem "right". I can't explain it. Just know what I, personally, like.

Can you give me examples of some good website to "learn" more about the "rules"? I'm all about learning or at least evaluating the rules to see if they can help me with my photography. That is, of course, after I figure out how everything on the camera works first! sigh Darn it, I wish I had more time for this. :)
 
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