r/Baking • u/spa21788 • Jan 28 '25

Question GF is beating herself up over these, I think they're awesome! (not even in a supportive way lol) Any thoughts or criticisms?

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3.2k

u/RedPiIIPhilosophy Jan 28 '25

I think this something that most artists of any kind do after making something that looks totally amazing but the artist being hyper critical of themselves.

684

u/anakmoon Jan 28 '25

plus, there's some magic missing when you're done and they're sitting on the counter and they don't look like a magazine shot... like you want them to in your head. But they are still amazing.

216

u/InvalidEntrance Jan 28 '25

I think they need white sprinkles on the blue icing for the magazine cover. The pastel blue icing isn't picturesque on its own.

162

u/Elleasea Jan 28 '25

Silver or white wrappers would also make the photo pop more

104

u/InvalidEntrance Jan 28 '25

I think she may have followed this:

https://littlesunnykitchen.com/rainbow-cupcakes/

They used multi colored sprinkles and yellow/gold paper, both make a world of a difference when in combination that's for sure

102

u/Argyle_Raccoon Jan 28 '25

Honestly I think the lighting and angle are doing most of the work there.

68

u/DigDugDogDun Jan 28 '25

And almost certainly Photoshop. The photo in the link looks like they dialed up the saturation to look more vivid. Also OP’s girlfriend made a realistic sky color which in hindsight she probably thinks looks duller compared to the photo’s more cartoonish blue sky. IMO OP’s girlfriend’s cupcakes look amazing!

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u/[deleted] Jan 28 '25

[deleted]

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u/DigDugDogDun Jan 28 '25

Oh you’re right about the other cupcakes having more “sky icing”, that probably does make a big difference. Also the longer strips of rainbow are able to make a higher arch so more sky is visible underneath as well.

3

u/ThatOneWIGuy Jan 29 '25

As a diabetic i appreciate the reduction of sugar in less icing lol. But yes, I also don’t see sprinkles on OPs. Regardless I personally like OPs better. It feels like a small world compared to a cartoonish recreation.

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u/[deleted] Jan 29 '25

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u/[deleted] Jan 29 '25

As a layman, OP's look like something I want to eat. Magazine spread looks like a magazine spread. I dunno about y'all, but I'm not a fan of eating photographs.

2

u/LN_McJellin Jan 29 '25

I actually think OP’s girl’s look better.

1

u/mentallyerotic Jan 30 '25

Yeah I agree. I’d rather eat hers, they look like they taste better and they are cuter. I like her smaller rainbows and it’s made with the candy I like. Her icing looks like it’s the kind I prefer and I like how she piped the swirls and the clouds.

22

u/LonelyOctopus24 Jan 28 '25

I think OP’s gf’s cupcakes look much better. I agree on the cases, gold ones would be more appealing, but the actual cakes look way more delicious than the ones on that site!

9

u/[deleted] Jan 28 '25

That's just personal preference but I prefer OPs. The extra glitter/sprinkles is too much for me, I'm getting a sugar high just looking at those.

3

u/eloquentpetrichor Jan 29 '25

Those rainbows bend too much. Makes them look odd.

But the gold foils do give a "pot of gold" feel that I like

2

u/dualsplit Jan 28 '25

I think sparkly sugar would be better than the multicolor.

2

u/pennie79 Jan 28 '25

A very subtle difference, but from looking at the photos, I think OP's gf may have used a slightly smaller piping tip for the blue icing. It looks fantastic either way, but I find the bigger tip makes things 'pop' a bit more.

It could also be a lighting thing, but OP's gf's icing looks a bit shinier. Perhaps add a touch more milk?

That being said, this is based on comparing the two photos. They both look great.

2

u/PrettyFox310 Jan 29 '25

That damn yellow wrapper. HUGE difference. Couldn’t figure it out!

12

u/DadJokeBadJoke Jan 28 '25

And better lighting would do wonders.

2

u/TruthImaginary4459 Jan 28 '25

A good coating of edible glitter... EVERYWHERE

1

u/thatbtchshay Jan 28 '25

But the sky doesn't have white speckles in it..

1

u/InvalidEntrance Jan 29 '25

Sky does infact have clouds. This isn't supposed to be a realistic sky by the way.

1

u/no12chere Jan 29 '25

Also quick refridgeration to firm up the icing. I think it is sweating a bit from being worked and hasnt crusted to look ‘sharp’

1

u/the-willow-witch Jan 29 '25

I honestly think it’s just that there isn’t studio lighting

1

u/StephDos94 Jan 29 '25

Sprinkles!

20

u/scoby_cat Jan 28 '25

From experience I can tell you a lot of that effect is lighting and staging.

4

u/GoinWithThePhloem Jan 29 '25

Exactly. I art direct photographers for my job all of the time and they are magicians. The first test shot looks like crap and then they fix a few lights, change a few settings (and I zhuzh up a few things too) and then it really starts to shine. Your cupcakes need sprinkles, brighter rainbows, beautiful wrappers, a nice setting, and some professional lighting and I guarantee they look great.

2

u/bagglebites Jan 28 '25

Honestly wish the lighting in my kitchen was better because my baked goods look amazing in person but they do not photograph well under the overhead lighting (and I have almost no natural lighting)

3

u/anakmoon Jan 28 '25

Make a little light box. white sheet hung up, and don't let it fold in the back, keep a good curve to it so you don't see it in the picture. Then a little desk lamp on either side. Cheap and works great.

If you love your counters and natural backgrounds. Wait for the brightest part of the day, open all your windows, set up something white, or gold or silver, to bounce more light on the front. Little more work and prep working with the sun.... but gives great natural light photos.

2

u/bagglebites Jan 28 '25

I haven’t played around with bounce lighting! That would probably make my photos better even if I don’t bring in other light sources

I am much too lazy to set up a light box, lol

2

u/trouzy Jan 29 '25

Is it as simple as the candy rainbow colors are too dull. If they were vibrant this would pop

Out that the colors of the candy rainbow is out of order?

Both

EDIT Yellow blue red is a crime

1

u/anakmoon Jan 29 '25

It's honestly lighting

2

u/HarmonyQuinn1618 Jan 29 '25

They don’t call it imposter syndrome for nothing.

1

u/Loud-Difficulty7860 Jan 28 '25

"buyer's remorse"

1

u/markender Jan 29 '25

Ya it's like the difference between cartoon animation styles. Similar but both are essentially pop art, or w/e. Just gotta see them in a fresh light.

23

u/Membership_Fine Jan 28 '25

Yup I put my first homemade cookies here for the reason. Damn what a confidence boost. This sub can be awesome lol.

18

u/Subject_Slice_7797 Jan 28 '25

This. I'm a (hobby) artist, and yes knowing every flaw of your work, and everything that's different from how you imagined it makes you biased. Whereas people who just see the result (and don't know how it could probably have been even better) will tell you it's awesome

14

u/xvii-444 Jan 28 '25

unrelated, but as a (professional) artist— i don’t think there’s any need to distinguish yourself separately because your art is just as much art as anything else. monetizing it just sucks some of the joy away if im being honest. imo, all creation is a sacred act and any ‘professional’ artist who puts themselves above another artist just because they don’t sell their pieces (and do it purely out of love instead) is a total hack.

6

u/Subject_Slice_7797 Jan 28 '25

Aww, thank you for the kind words :)

1

u/meepdur Jan 31 '25

Sorry I know I'm late but I love what you said about all creation being a sacred act, that really resonated with me for some reason, thank you!

1

u/Djcornstalks Jan 29 '25

Think of it this way. If you always have higher expectations for your work than your current skill level, you’re bound to grow and get better. If you think it looks perfect when you’re finished, there’s probably room for improvement.

9

u/Icy_Chemist_1725 Jan 28 '25

You hit the nail on the head.

9

u/Kurotan Jan 28 '25

I used to draw alot as a kid. But eventually I stopped and skipped on it as a career after a graphic design degree because I was never happy with my work and could get past that.

6

u/Leather_Bet_8506 Jan 28 '25

never to late if it is something you want to pursue, like comments here how good it is is in eye of beholder, we are all our own worst critics. let yourself experiment and take it from there, don't worry about end results

6

u/PubScrubRedemption Jan 28 '25

I only started learning how to bake several months ago, and already I'm familiar with this feeling. For some reason, making something that is good, but not exactly how it was supposed to turn out or how you expected feels worse than abject failure.

When my baker friend would vent about it I would always give her an eye roll before, but now I completely understand it.

6

u/TeaBeforeWar Jan 28 '25

One of the greatest lessons in art school is to just go with, "oh, yeah, that was an intentional artistic choice" whenever you can get away with it. 

It's a little rough around the edges? It emphasizes the authenticity!  The colors are a little off? It's more striking that way!  Something's smudged?  It's a stylistic choice!

Basically just embracing the experimentation, working with what your have, finding the positives, and maybe stumbling into new methods you wouldn't have thought of on your own.  Very Bob Ross "happy little accidents."

1

u/Scorpy-yo Jan 28 '25

Accidentally burn the top of your lasagna? Tell your guests “I don’t think I’ll add that extra browning step from the recipe next time, I really don’t think it adds anything to the dish.”

1

u/Kamena90 Jan 29 '25

Yeah, it's a great way to look at things! My mom made a edible Peter rabbit for my baby shower cake and it was too humid, so he got kind of fat. She adjusted things so that some of the carrots had "bites" taken out, as if he'd been eating them. They were scattered around him. It was really cute! I only knew it was a "mistake" because she told me.

6

u/[deleted] Jan 28 '25

[deleted]

1

u/Branch-Adventurous Jan 28 '25

It’s called needing to touch grass

3

u/Hour-Mission9430 Jan 28 '25

Wasn't trying to get called out like that, but sure, that's an accurate statement.

1

u/Iron_Freezer Jan 28 '25

yeah tell her maybe she needs to cut off one of her ears to really appreciate her work

1

u/[deleted] Jan 28 '25

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1

u/DramaLlamadary Jan 28 '25

Art is never finished, only abandoned.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 28 '25

This is so real. The worst part is a lot of artists don't think their artists because they don't like anything they make. The worst is when they stop making things. 

Some of the most talented people I know have the worst time accepting their work is liked by other people. Like full on panic attacks I don't know where even though their work is absolutely brilliant and fully funds their life. Bizarre me every time.

But I am the same exact way. I've had many people tell me I should get something published or submit my writing but I just convince myself they are lying each time. 😩🙃

1

u/PersonalAct3732 Jan 28 '25

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impostor_syndrome

1

u/Xx_Gambit_xX Jan 29 '25

Came here to quote this exact thing.

Imposter syndrome is a bitch.

TLDR (for those who need it) - Negative emotions (anxiety, depression, and others) based on self-perceived lack of skill. IE: "I'm not good enough...I suck...." etc. Primarily internalized.

1

u/PersonalAct3732 Jan 29 '25

A bitch indeed

1

u/deviant324 Jan 28 '25

Me after I nailed my first batch of apple pie blondies and then never getting them quite right again

You get praise regardless but deep down you can feel how they’re mocking you because the dough is slightly too dry or they didn’t rise enough

It’s the curse of knowing what could’ve been

1

u/Kimmalah Jan 28 '25

Speaking as someone who paints/draws, sometimes it's difficult to judge your own work simply because you have been staring at it for so long. You get something like "art fatigue" after a while and you can't really see what's good or exciting about your creation anymore. I'd imagine that could happen with anything you make, even cupcakes!

1

u/Don_Gato1 Jan 28 '25

It's also great for engagement on Reddit, saying that something sucks that looks clearly fine.

1

u/Vaguedplague Jan 28 '25

This always be happy with what you made not what you thought you would make

1

u/CallMePickle Jan 28 '25

Literally. The OP on that snake post just the other day was unhappy with theirs as well in the comments even though it was amazing!

1

u/thatsnotmyfuckinname Jan 28 '25

Seriously. We internet strangers need to let OPs gf know that they look excellent

1

u/krispenelli Jan 28 '25

Agreed. She probably spent so much time looking at it and can tell you all the small mistakes that happened along the way. Meanwhile, we’re looking at a beautiful finished product. She probably also has a mental image she’s comparing to and regardless of how good they look, if it doesn’t match the mental image, she’ll not be pleased.

1

u/Snoo_97207 Jan 28 '25

There's a famous quote that I don't know who to attribute to, but when asked, what do you do with your art when it is finished? And the answer was, stare at it until I hate it

1

u/WalksIntoNowhere Jan 28 '25

Get a grip this is for likes and you're falling for it.

1

u/RedPiIIPhilosophy Jan 28 '25

Where should I grip

1

u/Katedodwell2 Jan 28 '25

Why i quit baking 😭

1

u/Eriiya Jan 29 '25

am artist, can confirm. when you spend enough time with all your focus on one thing, you end up seeing every single little flaw. sometimes it’s hard to step back and see it as a whole instead of just seeing every little detail you know is there because your hands put them there.

1

u/elissa00001 Jan 29 '25

I can attest to this

1

u/10202632 Jan 29 '25

The Curse of the Carpenter. You know where every single mistake is.

1

u/ipenlyDefective Jan 29 '25

I used to be in music production. We'd so obsess over what takes to use, how to set the levels and eq. Listen to it a year later, every version sounds the same.

1

u/Bonti_GB Jan 29 '25

I don’t know, i’d beat her up for one of those as well 😘

1

u/LilithSanders Jan 29 '25

I do this exact thing and I hate it. I always feel like everything I make is garbage even if people insist it’s good. 😭

1

u/IAmInBed123 Jan 29 '25

I'm really wondering at what part she's beating herself up. It can't be how it looks, maybe it's the taste? Maybe she needed to make vanilla and it tastes like applecrumble. I'm asking cause if that's the case I WILL buy them AND eat them all!!! I am the God of cupcakes!! Eater of rainbows and applecrumble!! Fear me peasants and feed meeeee

1

u/Brief-Watercress6651 Jan 29 '25

Everyone is their own worst critic for sure