Photographing food

[bwana]

Is clearly something I need help with and plenty of practice.

Any tips?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/2967539428_9519526f99.jpg?v=0 (http://flickr.com/photos/bwanarsa/2967539428/)

I'm thinking lights - even my old light box?

http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/data/503/medium/lightbox.jpg

(and the burger was awesome :))

[ldmelsa]

put on tripod
long exposure because
stop down to get a huge DOF
soft light from all directions or try bouncing the flash off the ceiling

[BigAl-sa]

I've been using a single flash which works ok, except when I'm too close then I get a shadow from the lens. Sometime soon I want to try using three flashes, with two of them slaves, triggered by the main flash.

ld's right, you need lots of dof, which is why I'll stick with flash.

http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/Food

Was the burger homemade?

[bwana]

Thanks for the tips.

I didnt plan on taking any photographs before hand - and subsequently didnt want my supper to get cold while I faffed around setting things up - my options at the time were limited to a popup flash or a wide open aperture on my 50mm. Next time I'll use the 16-35 (@35mm) and my flash and see how that goes.

@BigAl-sa - yeah - the burger and chips were homemade, the beans were from a can and were much nicer than any I've tasted in a long time.

[koffiejunkie]

Couldn't help but notice the plate. I bought a few sets of those from Game - the packaging got wet and they sold them for something stupid - R5 a set, if I remember correctly. It lasted me quite a while!

[bwana]

Couldn't help but notice the plate. I bought a few sets of those from Game - the packaging got wet and they sold them for something stupid - R5 a set, if I remember correctly. It lasted me quite a while!lol - sounds like the same ones. We also have the matching green set. :) Like any married couple we're up the wazoo with decent china but the missus is too scared to bring it out except for special occasions. :o

[Bcm]

I know one trick about photographing food.

You let it go ice cold then manipulate the plate (and the food) so that it looks perfect (we're talking review quality here) then.... you wet a facecloth and microwave it, tuck it behind the plate (out of sight) and you've got that steaming hot yummy look :)

btw... nice burger!
Good effort with the gherkins +1
Baked beans -2

7/10 :D

[bwana]

I know one trick about photographing food.

You let it go ice cold then manipulate the plate (and the food) so that it looks perfect (we're talking review quality here) then.... you wet a facecloth and microwave it, tuck it behind the plate (out of sight) and you've got that steaming hot yummy look :)

btw... nice burger!
Good effort with the gherkins +1
Baked beans -2

7/10 :Dlol - thanks for the tip but in this case there was no way I was letting that burger get cold for the sake of a good photo! Some sacrifices I will not make in the name of art :D

Next time I'll try to show off the garlic rubbed toasted roll heaped with sautéed onions to better effect . . . and I forgot the bacon too. :o

BTW - the beans were really nice - US style and totally different to what you might be used to here in SA.

[BigAl-sa]

lol - thanks for the tip but in this case there was no way I was letting that burger get cold for the sake of a good photo! Some sacrifices I will not make in the name of art :D I'm with you there! My pics are of real food and real food cooking in real time :D