This is really a question for Neil, the food photog among us, but anyone please chime in here. how would you improve on this (shooting style included, not just PS)? I've been trying to see things in a similar way and hell, i have no idea how you do it Neil. This was with window light using a 50mm lens (trying to avoid distortion). Is this 'good enough' for stock? I'm personally disappointed. How do you deal with the reflections in glass and porcelain?
thanks
E
3 comments:
Ok - back on line after yet another Helkom disconnection!
Emil, there are a few things here to talk about. I quite like the shot, it is well lit, clean and uncomplicated. I think the height you have shot from really works – neither too high or too low. Despite this I think the composition does not quite work – the handles of the cups are a little awkward. This is especially so for the one in the foreground which is nearly cropped, it all seems a little 'tight'.
The coffee looks great in the distant cup, but not in the near sharp cup. Where the coffee has fallen away from the rim of the cup it looks messy, and there are no breaks/gaps in the 'foam' as there are in the rear cup. These may seem ridiculous criticisms but food and drink, as you know, has to look perfect - food photographers call it 'hero food.'
It is well lit. Not really much you can do about the reflections other than buy yourself a light tent - or make one from the white sunshades that you can buy for your car. Window light will always favour one side, as it were, but that is OK, gives your subject depth. What background did you use - I can't quite tell but it looks like black cloth under a piece of glass - is that correct?
I think my major problem with the image is that it is very microstock - you could find a thousand images like this for $1. To sell as RM stock, it needs to really stand out. I will post a couple of coffee images as comparison.
Neil.
Thanks Neil
The background was a piece of black matt. I agree with you about the foam incidentally. I'm going to keep trying at this until i actually get something out of the setup.
Do you use white sunshades by any chance as a light tent. I've considered the ones that Orms have for sale (bit pricey, but nice and large) to try and build up a portfolio of 'product imagery'. I tried a shot of lightbulb ages back and one of the criticisms that Gallo had was to do with the distracting reflections, so it's obviously something one needs to get around.
E
When Carla went to Italy last year she went via London and got me a light tent. I have used it, but to be honest I find the sunshades just as effective and easier to use. As they are hinged in the middle, if you clip the bottom on each side, you already have a little tent! BTW, the shades also diffuse the light from my strobes really well. Also, the silver car shades make brilliant reflectors!
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