o  The lighting is a bit bland.  I think single light source images
    have to be stronger in order to be effective.  I would have
    preferred an additional light source or reflector to provide
    some fill in the shadow areas to the left side of the image.

o  The exposure isn't optimal -- the highlights on the fruit are
    a bit washed out, and there is no detail in the shadow
    areas.  

o  I'm not sure that the placement of the light source is
    optimal either.

o  Unlike other viewers, I don't mind the red background,
    but it is flat & uninteresting.  I would have preferred some
    more things going on, like some draped fabric or the
    corner of a picture or something.

o  The composition is totally random and is not very interesting
    to me.  I think a more careful arrangement of objects would
    have been called for.  There's no "story" here, meaning that
    I get no sense of space or lifestyle or ambience.

o  Your choice of lenses is a bit questionable:  the top tier of
    the servicing piece is photographed edge on, but the
    bottom tier is a bit from above and appears more oval than
    the top tier.  I would think that if you are going to photograph
    that serving dish edge on, I would have used a telephoto
    lens from a greater distance.

Still life studies look simple & easy but in reality are very
difficult.  It's difficult to arrange your objects in a meaningful
manner.  There is no excuse for not having precise lighting &
composition.  

I most definitely applaud your interest & willingness to try, and I
encourage you to continue your explorations.  Most especially, I
congratulate you on your willingness to obtain feedback from strangers
like me (who may or may not be qualified).  Please continue.  My
suggestions:

   o  Take your time in arranging your composition.
   o  Carefully craft your lighting.  Light & shadows are
       important in suggesting a third dimension to your
       objects, but every shadow should be complimented
       with a highlight or an edge.

Carry on.

On Thu, 18 Dec 2003 15:38:49 -0500, "Vindrew" <some...@microsoft.com>
wrote: