Lighting is the most important aspect of
food photography. Too little light makes the food look dull, too harsh light
spoils the image. Using the correct light that show the original color of the
food is the skill that has to be learnt.
Took this picture of
Macaroons in a restaurant in the afternnoon at 3pm The place was well lit, plus
there was yellow light bulb just above our dining table..I moved the plate such
that light was focussed just on one..hoping to get DOF
I clicked few pictures with light coming
from side window and some pictures I clicked with the light coming directly on
the food from opposite direction.
I realised that the best pictures I had got
were when I clicked the picture from the side light.
However, when the light is coming directly
from opposite side, it creates shadows. We can modify light with the use of
reflectors, bouncers or blockers
We can use reflectors (can use white foam board)
to change the direction of the light and reduce shadows.
We can use diffusers (white plastic bag) to
soften the harsh light
We can use blockers (blinds) to block the light falling on articles where
u do not wish the light to fall
To capture the right tone, we can adjust
the white balance. Bluish tone works better for cold subjects and yellowish
tone works better for warmer tones.
I went to restaurant
yesterday and was aware of all the lesson learnt so far, and did try many
angles, paying attention to the light and frame...we were in the patio of the
restaurant, evening time around 6;30pm. Clicked many shots of fish and chips, but this one I
liked the best,
With practice, one learns to understand the
right tones in the food and how one can achieve it.
