PHOTO: Coffee. Newbie needs constructive criticism

Hi all and thanks for taking the time out to look at my post, My photo, I have re-taken the photo, and left in the background and cropped closer, is this a better picture?

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h279/bigsith/Facebook/micks-1/Critique%20pic/LoveCappuccino_zps8165aba7.jpg





has been rejected for several reasons as listed:


I am using a Canon 550D with two basic lenses, 2 x Vivitar 285hd flashguns.

I welcome any comments so that I may go back and re photo the subject and hopefully get it right, I am new to photography but would like to get more work accepted.

Regards

Electrictiff

(Edited on 2013-03-18 12:04:33 by Electrictiff)

(Edited on 2013-03-19 05:02:49 by kelvinjay)

(Edited on 2013-03-19 05:05:22 by kelvinjay)

(Edited on 2013-04-01 13:37:53 by Electrictiff)

You need to read the Critique Forum Guide at the top of this forum for instructions on how to post here.


We need to see a link to a full size image, as uploaded but watermarked for your protection, to give any opinion.

Only you the contributor can see that page of rejection reasons.

Please follow the lovely new instructions in the post that Difydave linked in his post.

The coffee cup is underexposed. The whites need to be white without being blown. They're very grey at the moment.The colour balance is off. Too blue for a "warm" picture like coffee.


There's too much black background. This is basically "isolated on black" you will most likely get a rejection for too much background "copy space". There is no value in it for buyers, they can add what they want simply enough. Crop nearere the subject. You also need to clean up the isolation around the cup, I can just see a paler reflection on the black, and speaking of reflections, I don't know whether the words or design reflected from the cup onto the saucer are recognisable or trademarked, but I think I'd lose them. 


Hope this helps.

And the shadows are distrcting and unsightly.

Agreed. Everything Dave and Alan said is on the money especially regarding the harsh lighting, harsh distracting shadows and excess of black space, that needs cropping right down.

link doesn't work, so can't see your picture.