Critique my food shot

Wanted to test out some lighting because I'm taking some promo food shots for my brother's restaurant tomorrow. I just wanted the photos to come out with a clean composition (since neither of us has the time/resources to properly style the food) so it might look at a little 'stock'. This was my leftovers from today's lunch (I eat quite healthy) that I never got to eat and decided to use as a test before tomorrow:

Looks pretty good to me, good 3d effect, nicely lit and most importantly looks good enough to eat.

I really like that shot. I'm a huge Food Network fan, and those are some pretty good plating skills haha.

corkneyfonz wrote in post #12477084
Looks pretty good to me, good 3d effect, nicely lit and most importantly looks good enough to eat.

Megographer wrote in post #12477275
I really like that shot. I'm a huge Food Network fan, and those are some pretty good plating skills haha.

Thanks guys. My brother's restaurant is an Italian place so tomorrow I'll be shooting a few pastas, a few appetizers and a few desserts (all from the lunch menu).

Try to cut down on the shadow in the very front on the fish/rice. Other than that, looks really nice. Maybe I notice it more because the rice just to the left looks a little overexposed.

Numenorean wrote in post #12477488
Try to cut down on the shadow in the very front on the fish/rice. Other than that, looks really nice. Maybe I notice it more because the rice just to the left looks a little overexposed.

Thanks. Actually have a version of this photo that does exactly that. I use a reflector to lessen the shadow at the front but didn't completely like how it came out. I wonder if I place the octabox more directly overhead whether that would solve the issue better...

big_apple_ken wrote in post #12477514
Thanks. Actually have a version of this photo that does exactly that. I use a reflector to lessen the shadow at the front but didn't completely like how it came out. I wonder if I place the octabox more directly overhead whether that would solve the issue better...

It adds to the 3D effect, so I don't think it should totally go away, but just lessened a bit. You could do it in photoshop too.

I agree the shadow is still a bit too hard , soften it even more or get some reflectors to get rid of that shadow!

I think an under reflection with plexi might add a nice effect.

porky101 wrote in post #12477590
I agree the shadow is still a bit too hard , soften it even more or get some reflectors to get rid of that shadow!

Will do! As you can see the table I used was quite big so it wasn't that easy to my bigger reflectors (which I usually use for portraits).

Do you know where I can get some tabletop reflectors or do most people just use DIY ones?

iadubber wrote in post #12481831
I think an under reflection with plexi might add a nice effect.

I've always been intrigued with using plexiglass. Will try it out next time. If I use a plexi that means my lighting can't be directly on top of the food right (due to reflections)?

No critique on the photo, but on the food. It could use some reds to provide contrast in the veggies, this would make the food irresistible but that’s just my opinion.

jerefish wrote in post #12482369
No critique on the photo, but on the food. It could use some reds to provide contrast in the veggies, this would make the food irresistible but that’s just my opinion.

Sorry, you mean I could use some red veggies as well right? I will take that into account next time. The food was leftovers from lunch so I just worked with what I had as a test. Thanks for the suggestion though!

Yeah red would help or some carrot shavings, I think it just adds that extra touch.

jerefish wrote in post #12484097
Yeah red would help or some carrot shavings, I think it just adds that extra touch.

Some chile threads would liven up the look too!

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