glitch
29th of June 2007 (Fri), 07:14
Hi all,
I'm currently in the midst of an obsession with food photography and I'm struggling with getting consistently 'good' lighting for my shots and I'm strongly considering investing (heavily or not so heavily) in some studio lighting.
Currently I'm shooting only on heavily overcast days, during the brightest spots, and have my kit set-up next to a large floor-to-ceiling window (which is to my right) with a table placed by it. This table has a large piece of bright white card (about A2 size) to the left of it, bouncing light back onto the table, and I've either got another piece of white card facing me to bounce more light back or I replace it with coloured card to privide a backdrop.
I'm also using a small Lastolite reflector to bounce light into shadow areas and try to get a nice natural lighting effect. My latest attempt is below.
http://www.afeastforyoureyes.com/images/chocolate_brownie.jpg
However I'm just not able to shoot on days where the conditions aren't quite right, and my control over the lighting conditions are somewhat limited, as you may expect!
I've been recommended various solutions, from a Cubelight and some continuous lighting, to a couple (or more) flash units, softboxes, snoods, and suchlike, but I don't know where to turn! I've even enrolled on an evening course on 'Commercial and Studio Photography' which is supposed to teach you about lighting... but it's a waste of time and I'm asking for my money back!
I'd really, really like to get a set-up that would give me absolute flexibility over my lighting and allow me to shoot when I want, where I want but to give me as soft, even and natural lighting as I could possibly get.
This is the sort of photography that I covet:
http://www.afeastforyoureyes.com/images/souffle.jpg
I don't think I could get that effect with just natural light from one source... could I?
Budget is... well, let's say modest. I can afford to spend up to £1,000 (about $2,000?) for the ultimate set-up but would prefer to spend a little less if possible.
Anyone able to shed some light (hahaha... sorry) on my predicament?
:)
I'm currently in the midst of an obsession with food photography and I'm struggling with getting consistently 'good' lighting for my shots and I'm strongly considering investing (heavily or not so heavily) in some studio lighting.
Currently I'm shooting only on heavily overcast days, during the brightest spots, and have my kit set-up next to a large floor-to-ceiling window (which is to my right) with a table placed by it. This table has a large piece of bright white card (about A2 size) to the left of it, bouncing light back onto the table, and I've either got another piece of white card facing me to bounce more light back or I replace it with coloured card to privide a backdrop.
I'm also using a small Lastolite reflector to bounce light into shadow areas and try to get a nice natural lighting effect. My latest attempt is below.
http://www.afeastforyoureyes.com/images/chocolate_brownie.jpg
However I'm just not able to shoot on days where the conditions aren't quite right, and my control over the lighting conditions are somewhat limited, as you may expect!
I've been recommended various solutions, from a Cubelight and some continuous lighting, to a couple (or more) flash units, softboxes, snoods, and suchlike, but I don't know where to turn! I've even enrolled on an evening course on 'Commercial and Studio Photography' which is supposed to teach you about lighting... but it's a waste of time and I'm asking for my money back!
I'd really, really like to get a set-up that would give me absolute flexibility over my lighting and allow me to shoot when I want, where I want but to give me as soft, even and natural lighting as I could possibly get.
This is the sort of photography that I covet:
http://www.afeastforyoureyes.com/images/souffle.jpg
I don't think I could get that effect with just natural light from one source... could I?
Budget is... well, let's say modest. I can afford to spend up to £1,000 (about $2,000?) for the ultimate set-up but would prefer to spend a little less if possible.
Anyone able to shed some light (hahaha... sorry) on my predicament?
:)