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Food Photography (and tonight's meal)
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!
MichaelComments
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good job! thanks for the hints!Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
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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.
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Thomasville, NC
My YouTube Channel - The Hungry Hussey
Instagram
Facebook
My Photography Site -
tarheelmatt said: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.Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga -
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"
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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 -
That last shot was money. Good depth and detail. Meal looks damn good too. I give thisLBGE 2013 & MM 2014Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FANFlying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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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!
MichaelCentral Connecticut -
Carolina Q said:Thanks, guys. I'm thrilled with how well this turned out. Far better than a flash!
Off camera flash is a different ballgame.------------------------------
Thomasville, NC
My YouTube Channel - The Hungry Hussey
Instagram
Facebook
My Photography Site -
tarheelmatt said:Carolina Q said:Thanks, guys. I'm thrilled with how well this turned out. Far better than a flash!
Off camera flash is a different ballgame.Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga -
tarheelmatt said:Carolina Q said:Thanks, guys. I'm thrilled with how well this turned out. Far better than a flash!
Off camera flash is a different ballgame.I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!
MichaelCentral Connecticut -
Carolina Q said:tarheelmatt said:Carolina Q said:Thanks, guys. I'm thrilled with how well this turned out. Far better than a flash!
Off camera flash is a different ballgame.
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 -
tarheelmatt said:Carolina Q said:tarheelmatt said:Carolina Q said:Thanks, guys. I'm thrilled with how well this turned out. Far better than a flash!
Off camera flash is a different ballgame.
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.Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga -
tarheelmatt said:Carolina Q said:tarheelmatt said:Carolina Q said:Thanks, guys. I'm thrilled with how well this turned out. Far better than a flash!
Off camera flash is a different ballgame.
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.
EDIT: Then I looked at a real photo store and found that soft boxes may not be as affordable as Amazon makes them seem. LOLI hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!
MichaelCentral Connecticut -
Fancy pics! Maybe next time you could polish those carrots and give 'em a bit of a shine. j/k, looks good.
BGE XL
NWArkansas -
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 -
Food photography is at the highest of levels. Only one step below pornography.
______________________________________________I love lamp.. -
bgebrent said:tarheelmatt said:Carolina Q said:tarheelmatt said:Carolina Q said:Thanks, guys. I'm thrilled with how well this turned out. Far better than a flash!
Off camera flash is a different ballgame.
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.
I'm only hungry when I'm awake!
Okeechobee FL. Winter
West Jefferson NC Summer
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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.
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Very Nice! Wasn't wanting to see your hairy carrotVisalia, Ca @lkapigian
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