A cup of coffee

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  • 07-09-2011, 07:00 AM
    pthortron
    1 Attachment(s)
    A cup of coffee
    Hello again. Here's a cup of coffee with cream. I am trying out a demo of Silver Efex Pro 2. I'm not entirely happy with the crop, but there's nothing I can do with the top edge on this shot. Any comments or suggestions?
  • 07-09-2011, 09:39 AM
    llewpics
    Re: A cup of coffee
    Hi - I think what bother me about t his shot is not either the crop nor the camera angle. The cup and the saucer seem to be blended together with little detail left in either ...and similar is going on withe the milk as well. I would suggest trying to do something levels or even a doge / burn layer and getting some definition in the cup.
  • 07-09-2011, 12:09 PM
    Anbesol
    Re: A cup of coffee
    Quite overexposed. I can't tell the shape of the coffee cup as its blasted with bright flat specular light, the whole scene could use more shadow. It looks overly blasted with light, which hides the curves and ridges and shape of the coffee cup, in addition to overexposure (which sort of accentuates the overexposure).

    The reflection in the coffee is mundane, uninteresting. Put something above or around the coffee to reflect something more interesting as well. The composition is too tight on the top, clipping the top of the cream cup. Is there a point to the drops of cream on the cup? Would like to maybe see some steam on the coffee.

    excellent focus placement though, but honestly I think thats its only redeeming quality.

    If it was raw, you could bring the brightness and exposure down some to take care of that, but, I think a re-shoot is a better idea.
  • 07-09-2011, 07:24 PM
    coffee22
    Re: A cup of coffee
    Well done :)
  • 07-09-2011, 09:48 PM
    GB1
    Re: A cup of coffee
    It's got a neat artsy look. I do agree that there's deficiencies, but it is what it is. The tilt throws me a bit, but it's different. I wish I only saw those two main objects and not a hint of the third in the upper left corner (I know, a nit pick).
  • 07-10-2011, 02:42 AM
    LeeIs
    Re: A cup of coffee
    I agree with GB, very artistic. A bit overblown, but it's got a nice mood to it. btw, the pattern makes this shot for me.
  • 07-10-2011, 07:11 AM
    pthortron
    Re: A cup of coffee
    Thanks all for taking the time to comment. I'll keep at it.
  • 07-10-2011, 07:27 AM
    jetrim
    Re: A cup of coffee
    Try using the burn brush to accent the edges where they blend together. Overall, I like the composition - very graphic.
  • 07-10-2011, 09:21 AM
    armando_m
    Re: A cup of coffee
    nice composition

    a bit of shade would be nice

    the focus seems to be on the table surface , is that what you wanted in focus ? the cup seems blurry
    also try to remove some of the distractions: a plastic cap ? and two other objects on the top

    if this was underexposed a bit with more contrast I think it would be an excellent shot
  • 07-10-2011, 11:16 AM
    trailguy
    Re: A cup of coffee
    Interesting idea, reminds me of 1950's Chase & Sanborn coffee ad, but a bit bland for me. I'd like perhaps some sort of eye catching reflection coming off the coffee, or some lively steam. Also, some space between the coffee cup and cream cup.