Simple Pleasures I

Greetings Thomas; I have shot loads of restaurant review shoots and tried everything from whole table to tightly cropped shots like this one, and would suggest pulling back a short ways to include slightly more table, and not so symmetrical (crop more to one side, or the other). For a more formal look try placing a plate under the salad bowl and extending the plating presentation onto the plate with perhaps a long basil sprig and maybe a more visible drizzle of balsamic or olive oil. I would also look for a less busy pattern on the bowl edge (it competes with the simpleness of the tomatoes & basil. Perhaps include the silver setting and napkin on the one side (or/and some edible flowers in the salad to add color i/e nasturtiums). Sorry if I made too many suggestions (I honestly know the frustations of trying to make food presentations better in print & online).

Other than that the quality of the shot and focus look sharp, plus the food quality looks exceptional and the colors crisp & vivid. The lighting works well (a little dark on some of the basil leaves), but you can 'see the flavor' of the ingredients, and that is the goal. (which is over 90% of the battle)! Great quality of the picture itself.