Hard to appreciate it in black and white. It could be a rock, it could be a moldy fig...Just not enough visual contrast for all the subtle tones in hazlenuts.
Some things truly are better in color, in my opinion...

You may be right, MossyB, but for once I like it the way it is. Thanks, anyhow.

take a shot of something we usually find in a large quantities closely packed together

For all the travelling you have done you have never seen how they pack apples? They come in a great big wooden tub, usually found in supermarkets, packed somewhat closely together !!

I have to agree with the author here...everytime i see apples at the market, they are in a bag, many of them, packed together or in barrels and tubs..

Thank-you James - we can't grow apples in our climate (unless you count custard apples) so they are something that are usual to find in bags. I guess we all think that because something is freely available in our own part of the world, it might not be the case in other parts. Something I could keep in mind myself seeing that PXL is such a global site

Nice tonal range for such a small subject. The toothpick has good detail, and I like the background.

Thank you very much!

That's a very cool idea to shoot ignited match. How about shooting it horizontally against black background with the reflection underneath it? It might give more impact on the "burning" feeling? Anyway, it's a great shot

Thanks. Great idea about the black background.