Well, I can see what you were trying to do - but the cockroach looks to be floating to me - not too sure how you'd "anchor" it to be honest. The two backgrounds would have to be almost the same. Apart from that compo, exposure etc - spot on
Odd ... that's good ... I can feel the heat
Play ... thanks for explaining what's going on here. I'd never have guessed it was a 'composite', but now you mention it ...
Clever stuff ... the cockroach is in sharp focus on a soft focus floor: nice effect even if it was just how it turned out. And did the cockroach come with it's own shadow? because it has one. And it works. (I don't know how to do shadows)
Re your self crit ... maybe the heel of the shoe could be seen to be on the floor. (?)
Originally Posted in the 'no comments' thread. Well it is my first year
Like it and I'd agree with your own crit. The cockroach does pop, maybe a little too much. Looks like it's floating.
Do like the idea though and quick off the mark.
Cheers.
Thanks for the comments and agree that it pops out to much.....did try some blurring and adjustment layer to tone it down but setteled on what I posted.
Nice interpretation on the theme, just echoing what others have said that the cockroach does look a bit floaty but you knew that anyway. Good effort though mate
An excellent idea Jason .... I do agree that perhaps a bit more of the foot may be better .... well done though for such a unique interpretation of the theme
I think if u make it a bit darker it would appear to be in the shadow cast by your foot, whereas at the min it looks like it's in full view of the light. Nice job making a composite though and quick thinking on the theme
Hahaaaa I like that
The bug looks just right and the lighting/shadow shows the idea off perfectly - great DoF too
Hi Jason
well , , if you hadn't said it was a composite image I wouldn't have guessed ....like the shadow as it adds reality ,really minor point is the highlight on the toe of the slipper but thats being mega picky....
good work mister
Good composite and adding the shadow has helped give a bit more reality but.........couldn't you have found a cockroach of your own
Though after my time spent in deepest darkest Africa, I've seen enough poppy seed poops to put me off the little critters for good !!Odd - Cracking shot. The glow in the burning match almost matches the red background so it looks like you're seeing through it
Line - Nice lighting though I'd have to either straighten the books or tilt them more.
Play - Different interpretation on the theme and nice composition.
nice three to start with jason
great work on the lit match - even down to the glowing centre
plenty of lines in the books, vert's, horizontals, and slightly of verticals too
the cockroach is a great inventive take on the theme, it's strange, you've done everything right regards the lighting and the shadow under the roach, but I can;t work out why it doesn;t quite look "real".... looking closer, I think it may be the OOF flooring, jarring with the sharp focus on the bug.
Pre-planning (maybe even drawing out the shot) could help here, a mark on the floor where the bug would be, focus there, shoot the shoe coming in, and then do exactly what you did in the compositing.
Look forward to the coming weeks.
It's an unusual interpretation and you were brave to plan and present a composite. It doesn't look quite natural but it's very close and the tips Graham has given above sound good to me if you were to try something similar again.
Hi Jason, you're off to a strong start with these three.
Odd - I like your idea of 'odd one out' and the exposure is spot on, especially capturing the details in the glowing head. I agree with the choice of red for the background, too.
Line - another good idea, with plenty of lines on show.
Close - I can understand why it's caused so much debate so far
I'm looking forward to following your thread
though I could try and defend the photographic virtues of the individual elements making up the whole.
then your case is certainly much stronger. 
