Working in a visual medium means I’m always trying to pin-point what makes an image successful because once that conundrum is solved I can make images even more successful. I was working on this styling project the other day when I couldn’t decide which image I liked more–the one where the pottery was placed out on a white background, or the one where the pottery was all on a blue tray. So I decided to pose the question to my IG followers to see which they liked more:
The one with the blue tray got more ‘likes’ but the one on white got more comments in favor–lots of people suggested that the contrast of blue on white and the ‘breathing room’ between the objects made for a more successful image. The test was inconclusive.
and I am still torn. I think that on the white background, each individual element stands out more…
But I’m inclined to think that as a composition as a whole, I like the blue-tray image more–and somehow I find it a bit more visually interesting. 
What are your thoughts? Which do you like more? which do you think is the more successful/catchy/pretty image and why?
I think its kind of hard to tell because I just like the general layout of the one on the blue tray more. That said, I feel like the blue tray has more texture and shape than the white background, and I really like seeing a soft texture and definition of space in the background of images.
I prefer the white over the tray, but when you close in on the blue and don’t show the tray (as in the first crop) I prefer the blue. I think it’s the tray shape that bugs. Hmm.
No, wait! It’s the fact that the individual elements are cropped at the edges that makes it more successful. To me. I think. :)
The blue tray acts as a frame, holding in the various elements, making it look like a whole. The white background is also pretty, but I feel like because there isn’t a frame, it feels messier, harder to focus…random items together…
At first glance I liked the white background better because of the more obvious contrast, but after looking at them for a while.. I do think the tray makes the composition a bit more interesting and I like the look of the edge of the tray.. so I’ll have to go with the blue
The blue. You’re right about it being more pleasing as a cohesive composition. That picture would make a great art print. Think of it on a wall….. <3
And can everything in that picture please just walk into my life? :)
Here’s my dissertational opinion. I prefer the blue tray. I think all the “breathing space” between objects combined with the stark contrast with the white makes every individual detail stand out too much. There’s no natural flow for your eye to follow. With so many distinct textures, colors, shapes, etc, the blue backbackground and the slight overlaps helps bring everything together. I like the super-cropped picture at the top even more.
The candles look better together as in the blue. And finally, In the white picture, every single dish has a smaller thing on top. It’s very repetitive, and I think some of the toppers look too small for the pieces (tray in the middle with the white candle, and the whole lemon on the oval tray).
Full disclosure: I could be biased because I love blue, especially rich blues in photos.
I prefer the contrast of the blue and orange over the blue and white! I also love the tighter composition of the blue, it feels more reminiscent of an intimate dinner party
Hola, me gusta mucho el fondo blanco porque el azul satura un poco aunque los elementos quedan muy integrados en el azul y en el blanco se convierten en elementos aislados.
Saludos y buen día.
I believe it depends on the intent of the image. If you were simply taking this photo to create a beautiful image then the blue background is more interesting and more stylized. It looks more creative. The white image is slightly more predictable. However, if you were going to choose an image to sell the items pictured then I believe the white would be the better photo. It allows your eye to easily move from one item to the next and each items speaks clearly about its purpose in the image.
In conclusion :) I believe the blue tray depicts a beautiful image as a whole but the white background depicts beautiful items individually.
fun to think about! Thanks for posting
Really interesting!
I prefer the blue because having so much blue makes the other colors “pop” and seem more special — the green of the succulents, the bright orange and yellow and stark white. I like the bang of seeing those bright colors stand out against the darker background.
The blue tray enhances the visual appeal of all of the other items/elements. Like others have commented, the tray serves as a frame and magnifies the inherent beauty of every item on the tray. This is what you do Justina. Your style, your eye can see the simple beauty in any object and then you display or frame it in a way that elevates the elements. Thank you for serving my eyes with a regular feast of gorgeous!
Hi Justina!
I’m also torn, but I think I lean slightly to the blue background. It really brings out the vivid oranges & yellows & reds, which is the contrast I’m more drawn to. I agree a more visually interesting composition.
I completely agree about the blue one being a better composition and a more interesting picture the way your eye moves around the tray. However the white definitely showcases the individual pieces beautifully. they are both lovely for different reasons and the one you would use depends on the purpose of the picture- a lovely overall composition, or a pic that highlights each piece! Fun blog post :-)
I love them both, but prefer the white background.
I think the blue one is more “Justina” while the white is what you see more typically on most design blogs today. The level of color saturation with the blue is more stimulating to the eye, but the tray pulls all that activity together.
I prefer the blue. I think it works better as an overall composition. Plus, I don’t necessarily like a lot of breathing space between objects.
I think it all has to do with the feeling you want to create. To me the blue is more emotional, it holds all the items together and feels more cozy, whereas the white creates a feeling of openness and airiness and the items feel more separate and even a bit cold. I don’t think either one is technically better, I think they just communicate different ideas. I personally am more drawn toward the blue.
personally, i like the blue tray as back drop more. the white backdrop looks good but i feel like the blue tray makes for more contrast (the spiky white piece gets lost on the white background) and i like the composition better with the items grouped together a little more tightly. it feels less random than the grouping on the white background.
also, thank you for this post! i have been working to improve my own photos in this vein. it’s slow going but i’m starting to get there!
The blue one stood out to me right away. The objects seem more like a collection there than than against the white background.
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I like both, the blue tray frames its shot, however I would remove a piece or two to create more ‘breathing room’ as you mentioned – make it look a little more curated than full. The white background I like because its a more typical, clean looking flat lay, however I would place items on more of a diagonal grid, as the square and gold plates are so big they kind of look static when slightly centred? Amazing colours though!
I feel that if you like the white contrast (and i do, i love every photo that has a lot of white) the solution would be to use a white/nude color tray, because the composition is much more interesting. The “messy” borders of the tray and the plants popping out of it against the perfect square crop of the photo makes it lovely to me! (if i had to choose between those two i’d go with blue)
and sorry my english is not my native language !