Lazy Susanby
Crafty SueComment: [Critique Club]
Composition: Well done. The line of the divider and handle lead the eye from the bottom to the top of the image. The detail of the rim and lavender berries directs the view back around into the frame. The circle makes a strong composition by capturing the viewers gaze and attention.
Technical Quality: The right side of the vertical divider is over-exposed, but actually adds needed highlights to the image and improves the composition. The real problem with this piece is the sharpness of focus over the entire image. A shallow depth of field is normally used to make the subject stand out from its surroundings. The exposure at F2.0 would certainly produce a shallow depth of field, however the distance of the subject from the lens placed the whole of it within the depth of field. The subject of the image does stand out, but it does so because of a lack of surroundings rather than a shallow depth of field.
Meeting the Challenge: Much room for improvement here I am afraid. A little experimentation with aperture, focal length, and subject distance will quickly make you a pro at the shallow DOF technique.
Creativity: You need to be a little craftier Sue. Do not be afraid to experiment. Some very good photos have come about as the result of accidents.
Overall: A very nice showcase image, but it fails to rise to the challenge.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
Regards,
Mick