Dim Sum

[macobee]

Dim sum

I am continuing to try some different lighting technique as I am more and more convinced that lighting is very personal, and there really is no right or no wrong, you se nowadays totally blown out parts of food pics, super dark pics, pics with very hard shadows........and its all printed and used.

here below i tried using 2 snoots, orrrrr at times 1 snoot and an umbrella to soften shadows.....for the pics with smoke i added a 3rd light bare from behind.

please feel free to add critique, I am very intersted to hear it.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2501/3674896575_b6cbb95a03_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2507/3674896261_8944cc27fc_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2423/3675706074_7c9efe6a3c_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2562/3674896151_11765febcf_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/3675707190_5490111a38_o.jpg

[aroundlsu]

They don't have enough contrast. The auto contrast button in PS works wonders. Also, you are wasting a huge amount of resolution with all the black space. I graphic designer can always add the black space if they need it for copy.

[macobee]

Aroundslu, thanks I appreciate your comment!

I understand where you coming from and sorry but i dont like what you did with my pic, I know you lifted it, and a week ago i would have said.....wow yep thats better......

i do not know why but today i look very different at lighting, i think that my original conveys much more drama then your edited version ...

pls note I do know I have shadows from neighboring objects which off course isnt good at all!

anyway continue the comments and dscussion, i am loving to hear more!

[joayne]

I agree Marco, the edited photo lost the reflection and the drama..
I like the original because of the darkness and the lovely color of the roe.
I really like the shot in the steamer basket and the dim sum above that shot, even though the right hand side is total in the dark.
I do think that a bit of light should be shed on it however.

For some reason, I don't care for the first shot. I think because it is on a reflective base, the flour tends to detract.

I like that you are using creative lighting to get what appeals to you.
I am actually going to start a project using the minimal lighting that I have.. Might even try a food shot or two ;)

[Flo]

Third is the best of the series for me Chef, although seeing the entire reflection would have capped it better..first two are too dark and shadowy,not projecting drama to me.

I actually agree with the edit of the last photo.you need to see the caviar and the wrapping.it conveys fresh and colorful.:confused: makes you want to eat.

[macobee]

Thanks for your comments, and for the record Joayne, its more trying to find out what appeals to others, this is not my favorite way of lighting, and i can see from my little comments on flickr that its not very popular. but I came about it as I saw some work of local food photographers here with more or less the same look, hence i wanted to try and see what people would say.

I am also wondering how to improve on the shot with 4 dim sum on a row as there are clear shadows from the dim sum next to it, i reckon I'd need 4 snoots, one for each dim sum?

[macobee]

hmm, no one else any opinion on the lighting?

Cheers

Marco