New to still life. C&C please

I got a studio flash set 2 weeks ago. I intended to shoot mostly portraits. Inbetween the couple hours a week I can have my favorite models available, I shoot still life. Mostly to get familiar with studion lignting, and also because I realized its very fun.

I'd like you input on those four
you can click on either one to see a larger version
Many thanks in advance

1/ "Painting with light"

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#1...I like because of the array/arrangement of the colored pencils and the photo of the girl is looking right back at me. Creative!

#2...is interesting but I think it's just a little dim. I would like to see some more detail in the wicker basket lid. I like the way you are hitting the subjects with flash, but would just like a little bit more light.

#3...I like this one for color and detail, but I think I would prefer a crop to eliminate much of the black in the top half of the image.

#4...looks nice.

Overall, I think you've done an outstanding job with these!

No. 2 is absolutely marvelous as far as composition is concerned. I really like it although I would prefer it be a little bit more exposed. If I saw this framed and in an art shop I would be very tempted to purchase it. Excellent,excellent composition you should be very proud of this.

P.S. not a professional but I know what I like....

Mike and Tiger: Many thanks for passing by and leaving a comment. Around me, #2 is the most often preferred. I love the idea of #1, but it had brought less success around me. I guess there is something wrong in the composition I have to figure out. Any clue about this will be welcome.

Thanks again

I think no. 1 is a tad to cluttered. The concept is good but just maybe to many items to concentrate on.

Slight curves adjustment. Hope you don't mind.

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I like the lighting in all of these. Nice work. Esp. like #2 and #3.

Mike McCusker wrote in post #7204918
I think no. 1 is a tad to cluttered. The concept is good but just maybe to many items to concentrate on.

Yes. You got the point. I have to rethink all the image. The bad thing is : I started to build the composition with the pencils only, and added the photography at the last moment. I have to rethink the image from ground level. May be I will drop the box, or send it to the shadow, and use only pencils.

Mike McCusker wrote in post #7204934
Slight curves adjustment. Hope you don't mind.

I like your version too. I think it depends on the screen contrast.

The idea is (in the print version) to have some mangustins enough in the shadow so that people will be tempted to approach closer to the image to decipher the details of the fruits. They will then see the wonderful texture of the straw basket and the jar.

OL9245 wrote in post #7211158
I like your version too. I think it depends on the screen contrast.

The idea is (in the print version) to have some mangustins enough in the shadow so that people will be tempted to approach closer to the image to decipher the details of the fruits. They will then see the wonderful texture of the straw basket and the jar.

Ah So!! Indeed very good. My edit ruins that approach. Sorry about that.

Mike McCusker wrote in post #7212011
Ah So!! Indeed very good. My edit ruins that approach. Sorry about that.

You welcome. I like to have my images edited as much as I like to edit others'. This is the best way to share ideas.

Mike McCusker wrote in post #7204934
Slight curves adjustment. Hope you don't mind.

On my monitor the original version is slightly better. Not saying this is bad, just that the OP looks a tad better on my screen!

This is a new one from this afternoon.
C&C more than welcome.

clic to enlarge

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