Foodgawker: Dull/unsharp image

Foodgawker: lighting and/or overexposed and composition issues
Tastespotting: accepted

Tastespotting: Composition
Foodgawker: photo/food composition

Foodgawker: Lighting issues – dull/unsharp

Tastespotting: unfalttering composition, lighting; Foodgawker: Lighting issues – dull/unsharp;
 
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FoodGawker: Photo/food composition; Photograzing: accepted

Foodgawker: Harsh lighting and/or overexposed

This was rejected from FoodGawker for “Harsh lighting and/or overexposed.” What advice can you give to the foodie photographer behind the photo to improve this attempt?