Advice needed - Product shot (bread)

Hey guys,

Im in the need of some info about product photography. At the moment, im working in a bakery, and have the opportunity to take photo's of their products. At current, they have a one off photographer that does their product shots, but im looking to fill in this position, potentially paid/unpaid (just to create a portfolio for myself).

This is the shot the one off photographer took. I believe I can do such a better job even using the shop and some props as background to the shot. As this is a first time for product photography, im wondering whether my one flash will be sufficient enough to create this sort of image.

I will be doing this shoot on Sunday as it will be closed for a good 6 hours until I go to the memorial service for 9/11 so I will just be on my own with no pressure. This shoot is purely for experiment to show the company my potential at photography.

I will have a huge window of natural light and a flash on a wireless trigger. I believe the example shot would have been shot using a huge softbox, which I don't have so I will have to make do with something DIY. Any tips on shooting such a product?

Many thanks for any advice

Yes, you can achieve the look with only one flash or even with a window light. Dial your aperture and shutter speed to kill ambient light so so the room or area in the frame looks blacked out and then adjust the flash power and distance from to light the product from the side of your choice.

Also, use some kind of diffusion on your flash, for example, shoot through umbrella or turn it around and it is as reflective umbrella or bounce your flash off of a white wall or white cardboard/foamcore.

...or a wall?
Here's another way to do it. You could substitute white 30" X 40" art board for the diffusion panels & put the light on them. Get the art board close to the bread & light it for the main light. Maybe use a 2nd board without light to bounce some fill in from the 1st piece of art board.
Studio product photography tips&tricks: Shooting glassware on black background.