Strobist On Assignment: Mac & Cheese
If you spend much time looking at photo related blogs, you’ve probably already stumbled across Strobist, one man’s terrific attempt to teach flash photography from start to finish. This site has a HUGE amount of info on flashes and other studio setups, and is probably one of the best things you can do for yourself if studio photography is going to be “your thing” or even just to find out if you like it or not. Take a look at his boot-camp series and lighting 101 sections if nothing else.
This weeks post is particularly relevant to Still Life With readers… it’s all on how to take a simple tabletop shot of food… specifically Mac & Cheese. The reflective nature of the dish, as well as the subtle light tones, makes getting the lighting right critical, and David walks through how to use a stand-in before the “hero” subject is actually put in place. It’s a good quick read and might even get you to take the step into (off camera!) flash photography.
Technorati Tags: Food, Photography, Tips
This may be a dumb question, and will show my ignorance,but I suppose I am just learning about photography…
When people reference off-camara flash photography–does a light actually have to flash or is the phrase merely referring to lighting that is strategically placed around the subject?
bekah
Hi Bekah,
Yes, off-camera flash is actually a flash. There is lighting that you can use that is continous (ie, not flash/strobe), but Strobist only deals, I think, with flash photography.
Studio food photographers often use flash because it’s less hot and therefore the food won’t melt or wilt as quickly.
But it is important to distinguish between studio strobes and the flash that is on the camera. The strobes can be strategically placed to create gorgeous effects… the flash that is on your camera is almost always a bad idea for food shots, since the light coming straight forward doesn’t usually make the food look very good.
hope that helps!
-L
Thanks–that helps a lot!
I wanted to tell you how very interesting your blog is. I am leaving it enlightened and motivated. You have some wonderful articles and I have scoured this site for all of the “tasty morsels” that you have on and in it. Great job!
Great interview! Thanks so much!