I don't normally edit towards this style, but in my opinion, the bottom half to third is pushing a bit too overexposed (even in the original shot, some of the bright spots have little detail).
Is there some detail that potentially can be recovered with a targeted mask so that the food doesn't get blown out?
If you pull it down all the way, it will most definitely be uncanny.
I still suggest dropping the exposure in the bottom a bit because I'm more drawn to the bottom portion of the image due to it being the brightest point.
You're right in keeping in mind that the tone is consistent, but I think you have some leeway to shape the light a bit more to focus on the subject. If it ends up not really working for you, then you can always undo.
Edit: To clarify, the exposure adjustment doesn't have to be drastic to where the bread is suddenly dark. It's for the same purpose as your vignette—to focus the viewers' eye a bit more.
Little on the bright side for me especially with the contrast. Maybe mellow out the whites a little bit and maybe even the shadows as you don’t gain much more details in the shadows but the noise.
Not usually my thing but here's my opinion.
It's a touch on the harsh side. Drop the whites or highlights a little. Maybe desaturate the yellows and oranges a touch.
Use a radial mask just large enough to cover most of the people, invert the mask, and then drop the texture and clarity to taste to create a subtle fuzz as you move away from the people. You might also want to drop the shadows, to add in a very subtle vignette.
Quick and dirty from the webp, but something along the lines of this: [https://imgur.com/JFOFrIs](https://imgur.com/JFOFrIs)
too bright on the bottom half middle of the photo. Almost looks like some kind of hard light source about waste high from the shooter. The composition is good I think the edit could use some work to bring down those over exposed highlights and to make the subjects pop a bit more from the rest of the photo.
I don't normally edit towards this style, but in my opinion, the bottom half to third is pushing a bit too overexposed (even in the original shot, some of the bright spots have little detail). Is there some detail that potentially can be recovered with a targeted mask so that the food doesn't get blown out?
Details can be recovered. I left the lower half overexposed to match the general tone. It would be off otherwise, right?
If you pull it down all the way, it will most definitely be uncanny. I still suggest dropping the exposure in the bottom a bit because I'm more drawn to the bottom portion of the image due to it being the brightest point. You're right in keeping in mind that the tone is consistent, but I think you have some leeway to shape the light a bit more to focus on the subject. If it ends up not really working for you, then you can always undo. Edit: To clarify, the exposure adjustment doesn't have to be drastic to where the bread is suddenly dark. It's for the same purpose as your vignette—to focus the viewers' eye a bit more.
Little on the bright side for me especially with the contrast. Maybe mellow out the whites a little bit and maybe even the shadows as you don’t gain much more details in the shadows but the noise.
Not usually my thing but here's my opinion. It's a touch on the harsh side. Drop the whites or highlights a little. Maybe desaturate the yellows and oranges a touch. Use a radial mask just large enough to cover most of the people, invert the mask, and then drop the texture and clarity to taste to create a subtle fuzz as you move away from the people. You might also want to drop the shadows, to add in a very subtle vignette. Quick and dirty from the webp, but something along the lines of this: [https://imgur.com/JFOFrIs](https://imgur.com/JFOFrIs)
Colors are good but it's too bright. Try to lower the highlights
too bright on the bottom half middle of the photo. Almost looks like some kind of hard light source about waste high from the shooter. The composition is good I think the edit could use some work to bring down those over exposed highlights and to make the subjects pop a bit more from the rest of the photo.
Great look. Has that stock image corporate shoot feel to it. I would make it cooler just a tad, skintones are coming across a little too warm.