Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Soooo my first time doing foodography for 'real', not the usual be like typical asian pull out camera at restaurant to take photo of meal, but for real as in staging a photo shoot for a cafe opening really soon.

I have:
canon 7D
20-35mm f2.8L *bleh minimum focusing distance*
50mm f1.4
50mm f1.2

550EX speedlite

bounce umbrella (from thericyip last year...or year before)
i lost my flash bracket adapter but have a spare cheesy one that works
PoveryWizard RF602
Seagull Optical trigger
hand ful of flash units

I can't seem to get the lighting "right", when i get good lighting i get shadow spots....when i try to fill shadow i get flat lighting.

tips? ideas?


I may resort to just natural daylight through window

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great video

To the OP, if you are planning on using 'natural' lighting, make sure you scout out the cafe you are shooting for and make sure they have big enough windows to give you enough light. And bring lots of reflectors and diffusers to adjust the light as best you can. Why not bring a strobe and a soft box at least, or some kind of back up in case the day you are supposed to shoot it pours rain and you don't get any light.

http://www.foodportfolio.com/blog/#blog

IMO best site for food photography tips, the only thing is, at least from my own experience, it seems to be more complicated than beginners can handle with small light sources and so on.

I would suggest practicing with natural light from the back and reflectors from the front (assuming the shoot is during the day

[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31309729@N03/4121552838/"%20title="grilled%20shrimp%20on%20bed%20of%20spinach%20and%20fruit%20salad%20by%20studionewmarket,%20on%20Flickr"><img%20src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2570/4121552838_21e299cd93.jpg"%20width="369"%20height="500"%20alt="grilled%20shrimp%20on%20bed%20of%20spinach%20and%20fruit%20salad"></a>[/img]

Thanks all, I'll be working on it all week!

When its done, you're all invited

Best tip seems to be that you don't want to eat any of the photographed food as it's probably been heavily modified for looks.

I watched a review of a shoot of a crushed ice Margareta where they didn't even use ice as it melts to quickly and doesn't "look" good, and instead they used that plant watering gel stuff with fiberglass coloring dyes and mineral oils to get the right look.

Jaden Hair occasionally posts some food photography tips on her blog. Her advice will likely be more accessible to beginners or those without all the fancy studio and set equipment:

http://steamykitchen.com/category/photographyblog-tips

Ta da!

Lighting set up is natural light camera left, bounced the 550EX off a hand to warm up the left side of the food.

Plus used the new lens I bought from Seren Dipity (James). Thanks man!


Featured Lunch at Paintlounge...its gooooood! by VA-photography, on Flickr

More photos here: http://va-photography.com/paintlounge-g ... nch-party/

and more to come!

Check them out if any TPMGers in the area! www.paintlounge.ca

Usually at nights, several wedding photographers/cinematographers come in to edit or chat, or have client meetings. Plus I'm here alot too.

a good way is to start lighting from the back depending on what your going for a large light is good to start .. use a fill card from the front to fill in any shadows