Color from reflector?

[redbourn]

I am pretty happy with this photo and it might be one of my best yet.

There is a reflection on the left side of the plate from the table mat.

I used two small reflectors to remove the shadows from under the plate.

Not sure if there is a way to avoid that or if it's very important.

What do you think?

Michael

 

[Advanced Photo]

A little more contrast?

 

[dennybeall]

Looks good enough to eat. The DOF could be a little deeper.

 

[redbourn]

A little more contrast?

Will try it, thanks.

I like watercolors which is maybe a problem for me.

Michael

 

[redbourn]

Looks good enough to eat. The DOF could be a little deeper.

I have one with more DOF but didn't like the angle so much but will check again.

 

[Advanced Photo]

A little more contrast?

Will try it, thanks.

I like watercolors which is maybe a problem for me.

Michael

So, then why not do a book with watercolor images of the recipes? Who says it HAS to be a photograph? A photo is an easier way to go, but a watercolor might have more impact.

EDIT: I noticed the pictures had gone away, I guess they were removed faster than I expected.
Or just use settings to make the pictures more fun and less documentary.

 

[redbourn]

A little more contrast?

Will try it, thanks.

I like watercolors which is maybe a problem for me.

Michael

So, then why not do a book with watercolor images of the recipes? Who says it HAS to be a photograph? A photo is an easier way to go, but a watercolor might have more impact.

View attachment 129035

Or just use settings to make the pictures more fun and less documentary.

A good idea and very original. Never seen a cookbook like it!

 

[redbourn]

I just redid a photo of left over stew from yesterday and added the olives.

Like I said, I prefer water colors and wonder if I went a bit overboard with the contrast on this one.

Even at 6.3 I don't have much depth of field.

Maybe I should move the softbox closer?

The front of the softbox is about 2' from the most distant part of the plate.

Thanks

Michael

 

[ashleykaryl]

The reflection is less noticeable in this second image but that could have been toned down with a local adjustment in Photoshop or whatever you are using for the editing.

Many years ago when I was first starting in photography I spent a short time assisting a food photographer in London who obtained terrific results by mixing flash with a few seconds of tungsten hitting selected areas of the image. The key is controlling the tungsten, so it only hits the areas you want.

It always took a bit of testing and no two shots were identical, but in essence you would start with the studio in pitch black and open the shutter, then fire the flash from a soft box. A second later the tungsten would be turned on for a few seconds to provide a soft warmth before closing the lens shutter. The final result always looked far better than it tasted.

 

[Braineack]

have you yet to try this sort of setup?

you're still positioning your small light source in a manner that causes too many specular highlights.


why are you not shooting at f/11-16?

6.3 is too wide.

 

[Advanced Photo]

have you yet to try this sort of setup?

View attachment 129120

you're still positioning your small light source in a manner that causes too many specular highlights.


why are you not shooting at f/11-16?

6.3 is too wide.

Just have Braineack draw some of these awesome images for the book

 

[table1349]

This might be a site you would like to look at. http://www.learnfoodphotography.com

 

[fmw]

On another issue, what is Cuban beef stew? I was raised in Cuba and never encountered anything like you have pictured. Normally a dish like that in Cuba would include sofrito rather than olives and carrots. Rice would be far more common than potatoes. Even yuca would be more common. It does look like a hearty and tasty dish, however.