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Food Photography (and tonight's meal)

Sometimes, my food pics look okay, other times, not so much. Usually, I'm just trying to get a shot or two in before my food gets cold. Plus I don't know enough about photography to begin with. 

Lighting plays a HUGE part in how pics turn out of course, and proper lighting can be very expensive. I was poking around the net this morning and I found an article on how to light stuff on a budget. The author used one of those <$10 aluminum clamp-on work lights you see in every hardware store in the world along with a bulb with enough lumens and the correct color temperature (the important part).

I have several of those work lights already so, off to my nearby Ace hardware to find a bulb or two. I came home with a 4-pak of 800 lumen, 5000K color temp bulbs for only $8+! I tried one light and then two plus the natural light from my north facing kitchen window. Not horrible, but kind of blah, not very interesting. Just the light from the window would probably have been enough. So, I took my props, my camera and my new lighting to the basement, turned off all the lights except one of my new ones. 

And I got this...

Now this pic is not going to get me a cover on Bon Appétit or the late, lamented Gourmet, but it sure is an improvement over my usual. Color is accurate, shadows are interesting and my carrots aren't hairy! =) With a $2 light bulb! I was delighted! I used a Nikon D-80.

I often cook after dark, even in the summer. Makes it hard to get a decent pic of protein on the egg. With one of these lights, I hope to improve. 

Rain, thunder and lightning (complete with flash flood warning) kept me in the kitchen tonight. But the salmon, peas and shallots and a squeeze of lemon (one of my favorite meals) was still delicious!




I'm quite pleased. With the meal and the pics! Thanks for lookin'!

I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Michael 
Central Connecticut 

Comments

  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,880
    good job! thanks for the hints!
    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
  • bgebrent
    bgebrent Posts: 19,636
    Yup!  Great pics and lighting!
    Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga
  • tarheelmatt
    tarheelmatt Posts: 9,867
    I like the last shot.  

    You're 100% correct in that lighting is the biggest player with photography AND how to bend the light as well.  


    ------------------------------
    Thomasville, NC
    My YouTube Channel - The Hungry Hussey
    Instagram
    Facebook
    My Photography Site
  • bgebrent
    bgebrent Posts: 19,636
    I like the last shot.  

    You're 100% correct in that lighting is the biggest player with photography AND how to bend the light as well.  


    Matt only knows how to bend one thing.....light. 
    Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga
  • JohnnyTarheel
    JohnnyTarheel Posts: 6,533
    Awesome Brother Q!!
    Charlotte, NC - Large BGE 2014, Maverick ET 733, Thermopen, Nest, Platesetter, Woo2 and Extender w/Grid, Kick Ash Basket, Pizza Stone, SS Smokeware Cap, Blackstone 36"
  • Hub
    Hub Posts: 927
    I think it's awesome seeing someone taking a photo with something other than his or her phone.  I thought I was the only one that still uses a Nikon.  The difference in quality is staggering.
    Beautiful and lovely Villa Rica, Georgia
  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    That last shot was money. Good depth and detail. Meal looks damn good too. I give this :plus_one:
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    Thanks, guys. I'm thrilled with how well this turned out. Far better than a flash!

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

  • tarheelmatt
    tarheelmatt Posts: 9,867
    Thanks, guys. I'm thrilled with how well this turned out. Far better than a flash!
    You referring to the popup flash I assume? 

    Off camera flash is a different ballgame.
    ------------------------------
    Thomasville, NC
    My YouTube Channel - The Hungry Hussey
    Instagram
    Facebook
    My Photography Site
  • bgebrent
    bgebrent Posts: 19,636
    Thanks, guys. I'm thrilled with how well this turned out. Far better than a flash!
    You referring to the popup flash I assume? 

    Off camera flash is a different ballgame.
    Like you know Jack. I know Jack...
    Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga
  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    Thanks, guys. I'm thrilled with how well this turned out. Far better than a flash!
    You referring to the popup flash I assume? 

    Off camera flash is a different ballgame.
    Speedlight SB-600

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

  • tarheelmatt
    tarheelmatt Posts: 9,867
    Thanks, guys. I'm thrilled with how well this turned out. Far better than a flash!
    You referring to the popup flash I assume? 

    Off camera flash is a different ballgame.
    Speedlight SB-600
    Still have my SB-600. It's a great flash. 

    Try getting it off your hot shoe and get a softbox to shot through. 

    Cannot remember if a D80 has commander built into it or not. 
    ------------------------------
    Thomasville, NC
    My YouTube Channel - The Hungry Hussey
    Instagram
    Facebook
    My Photography Site
  • bgebrent
    bgebrent Posts: 19,636
    Thanks, guys. I'm thrilled with how well this turned out. Far better than a flash!
    You referring to the popup flash I assume? 

    Off camera flash is a different ballgame.
    Speedlight SB-600
    Still have my SB-600. It's a great flash. 

    Try getting it off your hot shoe and get a softbox to shot through. 

    Cannot remember if a D80 has commander built into it or not. 
    You can't remember sh^t after dancing around in that thunder romper. 
    Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga
  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    edited August 2017
    Thanks, guys. I'm thrilled with how well this turned out. Far better than a flash!
    You referring to the popup flash I assume? 

    Off camera flash is a different ballgame.
    Speedlight SB-600
    Still have my SB-600. It's a great flash. 

    Try getting it off your hot shoe and get a softbox to shot through. 

    Cannot remember if a D80 has commander built into it or not. 
    You're way over my head. I don't know how to do any of that, but I expect I can figure it out. D80 does have commander. And softboxes appear to be surprisingly affordable! Then again, I like my new lightbulb. =)

    EDIT: Then I looked at a real photo store and found that soft boxes may not be as affordable as Amazon makes them seem. LOL

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

  • CanDid
    CanDid Posts: 106
    Fancy pics! Maybe next time you could polish those carrots and give 'em a bit of a shine.  :D  j/k, looks good.
    BGE XL
    NWArkansas
  • texaswig
    texaswig Posts: 2,682
    Nice work. Photography has always been rewarding to me. I probably take more photos of food than anything. 

    2-XLs ,MM,blackstone,Ooni koda 16,R&V works 8.5 gallon fryer,express smoker and 40" smoking cajun 

    scott 
    Greenville Tx
  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,102
    Food photography is at the highest of levels.  Only one step below pornography.
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
  • Jupiter Jim
    Jupiter Jim Posts: 3,351
    bgebrent said:
    Thanks, guys. I'm thrilled with how well this turned out. Far better than a flash!
    You referring to the popup flash I assume? 

    Off camera flash is a different ballgame.
    Speedlight SB-600
    Still have my SB-600. It's a great flash. 

    Try getting it off your hot shoe and get a softbox to shot through. 

    Cannot remember if a D80 has commander built into it or not. 
    You can't remember sh^t after dancing around in that thunder romper. 

    Brent you want your own Romper and ya know it!!!!!

    I'm only hungry when I'm awake!

    Okeechobee FL. Winter

    West Jefferson NC Summer

  • Eggcelsior
    Eggcelsior Posts: 14,414
    Bounce-flash and bias lighting. Eliminate shadows and make the subject "pop" off of the back ground. You can even put a white poster board behind the food(opposite the light source) and it will reflect back onto the subject. Also, filtering the light through a screen(or a light-colored bedsheet) will soften it and remove harshness. This is why cloudy days and twilight are the best times for shooting.
  • lkapigian
    lkapigian Posts: 10,706
    Very Nice! Wasn't wanting to see your hairy carrot
    Visalia, Ca @lkapigian