Critique / suggestions

I've never tried food photography before, but I like the concept. This is my first 2 pictures of this, would very much like to get some inputs on how to improve.

Light is from window/overcast weather today. Lens: 35mm


This first one I like the best
f7.1, 1/200, iso 3200

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/pMWD​rL

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Agree, the first one is better. The light gives it an Old Masters quality. Having two onions makes it an arrangement, so it doesn't look like "I plopped something in front of the camera and took its picture."

The second one is top-heavy. You can rotate it to evaluate other orientations. The granular material in the bowl suggests debris that wasn't cleaned out, rather than something that naturally belongs with an onion. Nice color combination, though.

OhLook wrote in post #17373960
Agree, the first one is better. The light gives it an Old Masters quality. Having two onions makes it an arrangement, so it doesn't look like "I plopped something in front of the camera and took its picture."

The second one is top-heavy. You can rotate it to evaluate other orientations. The granular material in the bowl suggests debris that wasn't cleaned out, rather than something that naturally belongs with an onion. Nice color combination, though.

Good points, thank you! When you wrote "heavy", I saw it, and tried a very different crop (had to brush black on right side to get it to fit, too much but just to give myself an idea).
My kitchen is awfully empty lol, but I will see if I can do something more realistic with the granular tomorrow, when the sun is back.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/qsrR​bA

I specialize in food images and I find that styling is the second most important element to a successful image. I prefer the second image and believe that a linen or piece of flatware in the empty space would complete the image. Keep working at it, it takes time to develop a sense of style.

tcphoto1 wrote in post #17373988
I specialize in food images and I find that styling is the second most important element to a successful image. I prefer the second image and believe that a linen or piece of flatware in the empty space would complete the image. Keep working at it, it takes time to develop a sense of style.

Great idea - thank you

Good advice from tcphoto1 - I like the second image as well.

Tried again, this time with artificial light. My kitchen are awfully empty these days, but for now I am just trying to understand the basics in food/ingredients photography.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/qtor​s4

Very nice. I really like the light and texture and boldness of the dark background. The tones look very earthy and I really like these.

nice job!

Mikelangelo wrote in post #17375977
Very nice. I really like the light and texture and boldness of the dark background. The tones look very earthy and I really like these.

nice job!

Thank you!

I think these are definitely in the right direction, just need a bit more on the lighting to help out.