Lighting challenge

Saw this rendition on Pintrest and really loved it. I think I left it too dark, and I should have had more intense upper lighting. What do you all think?

[carol white]

Nicely done

[Corinne C]

It is quite dark but it pushes the viewer to be even more curious

[Susan Wakely]

Best seen on black background.

[Carole Sandford]

It does look better on black.

[haskar]

Well done. I would lighten the top or bottom a bit, so that it is not the same value of light.

[Ellen Bogenschutz]

@carolmw Thanks
@corinnec Okay, I like your thinking.
@wakelys Yes! The black background actually brings out the lit areas. Weird.
@haskar Thank you, I'll try that. I actually cheated and lightened up the top of the apples with a brush mask in Lightroom.

[summerfield]

i think it is too dark, although the apples seem to glow when viewed on black. perhaps play around with your f/stop, or adjust the lighting.

[Ellen Bogenschutz]

@summerfield Thanks, yeah, I lightened them with a Lightroom mask. But I do like them on black.

[Rick]

Does look much better on black, but think it may be a little too dark.

[Walks @ 7]

It works better on black but a tad more saturation or levels adjustment, maybe.