20 Cakes and 2 cameras

[Youhong]

Sis brought home some cakes... Took some shots of the cakes... Some shots too lazy to unwrap the plastic... coz need to re-wrap them is a trouble...
#1


#2


#3


#4


#5

[Youhong]

#6


#7


#8


#9


#10

Tried something different...

[Youhong]

#11


#12

My simple setup - 2 chairs, 1 pole, 1 white cloth, 4 clothes pegs and TWENTY cakes!!!

#13

The camera - Nikon D70s, Tamron 28mm-75mm f2.8 macro, Nikon SB-800...

#14

The camera - Fujifilm S5500, slave flash, my DIY bounce card...

#15

In case you are wondering why #1 was taken as such... "Full body" shot cannot lah...

[eikin]

the lighting is either too flat (1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9,15) or make the cakes look unappetising (4,10,11)

except for 1 or 2, generally very bland framing, and the cake holders look out of place in all the shots. and i'm wondering why some of the cakes still have that plastic film attached.

[Terence]

Most frames under exposed, WB is off and lighting uneven. Composition uninteresting and overall I don't really feel like going for the cakes after seeing them.

[bwilly]

the plastic plays a veri impt part..
makes the cake seem so uninteresting..
like a beautiful lady, wearing a unflattery clothing.

[+evenstar]

is the backdrop supposed to be white or grey?

[Youhong]

Sweat... Kena bomb jalat jalat...
- Had much problem getting the right exposure... Dun really know how to control...
- Plastic on the blackberry and coffee cake -> lazy to take out liao...
- Composition: I wanted to have more close ups... but this lens isn't a real macro lens...

Will try harder next time... Thanks for viewing....

[eikin]

Originally Posted by Youhong Sweat... Kena bomb jalat jalat... - Had much problem getting the right exposure... Dun really know how to control... - Plastic on the blackberry and coffee cake -> lazy to take out liao... - Composition: I wanted to have more close ups... but this lens isn't a real macro lens... Will try harder next time... Thanks for viewing....

know what you want out of your shots first, look at advertisements, cookbooks, photography books etc. from there learn to see what are the essential qualities of an appetising shot.

btw, laziness is an extremely bad excuse, i know you're being honest, but it reflects badly on how you treat your shooting sessions. it turns off those who might have wanted to offer suggestions and opinions as well.

[Youhong]

Originally Posted by eikin btw, laziness is an extremely bad excuse, i know you're being honest, but it reflects badly on how you treat your shooting sessions. it turns off those who might have wanted to offer suggestions and opinions as well.

Actually, I personally find the circular cakes' wrapper looks nice, and leaving them on was intentional...

Originally Posted by bwilly the plastic plays a veri impt part.. makes the cake seem so uninteresting.. like a beautiful lady, wearing a unflattery clothing.

Hmm.... Not sure whether I'm answering to the your part or not... Portrait got those glamour shoot, studio shoot, also got those you see in third world country, one ah peh wearing torn clothes smoking, or a cute little girl selling flowers with dirty face, wearing worn out outfits. and shoes...

Can food photography also be classified as "High class resturant", "kopitiam type", "home-cook food type"... Just like portrait got glam, street, candid, nude, solo, group, kids blah blah blah....

[Youhong]

Likes to play with food photography... but dunno much.... Actually, I was wondering... with regards to the plastic wrap again... First, allow me to ask:

Question 1: Is it necessary to strip of the "skin" of a corn? You still can steam the whole corn with the "skin" one right?

Question 2: Da pao, char siew pao, dao sa pao... you shoot with the paper on right? even if you "tear it apart" to show its fillings, do you still keep the paper underneath?

Question 3: "Ba zhang" (rice dumplings), do you totally strip of the leaves wrapping it? And shooting it "naked"???

Question 4: Bananas - I meant just banana alone, not in the case banana split etc... Do you shoot it half peeled or totally peeled?

Question 5: Prawns... Do you peel the shells of the prawns??? I doubt so... they will look like "hey bi" (shrimps) without their shells... Same goes for crabs, lobsters, crayfish etc right??? Personally thinks that the chunk of meat will mean nothing without their shells still on...

Question 6: Can I shoot a chocolate bar with its wrapper? maybe say, kitkat??? Or even ice-cream with wrapper?

Question 7: Cup cakes... Do you remove the paper cups?

Finally, is it a golden rule that there should be no plastic wrappers on cakes??? no matter how beautiful they are??? Of course, those above are their "natural" wrappings... which without them, the subject may in fact lose meaning... but can't the plastic wrappers be accepted?? Seems like shooting with wrapper is a taboo... Not too sure about the "RULES" of food photography...

[microcosm]

Try not to post too many shots in here for C&C...

Overall, I think warmer lighting and backgrounds works better for food...

[unseen]

Originally Posted by Youhong Likes to play with food photography... but dunno much.... Actually, I was wondering... with regards to the plastic wrap again... First, allow me to ask: Question 1: Is it necessary to strip of the "skin" of a corn? You still can steam the whole corn with the "skin" one right? Question 2: Da pao, char siew pao, dao sa pao... you shoot with the paper on right? even if you "tear it apart" to show its fillings, do you still keep the paper underneath? Question 3: "Ba zhang" (rice dumplings), do you totally strip of the leaves wrapping it? And shooting it "naked"??? Question 4: Bananas - I meant just banana alone, not in the case banana split etc... Do you shoot it half peeled or totally peeled? Question 5: Prawns... Do you peel the shells of the prawns??? I doubt so... they will look like "hey bi" (shrimps) without their shells... Same goes for crabs, lobsters, crayfish etc right??? Personally thinks that the chunk of meat will mean nothing without their shells still on... Question 6: Can I shoot a chocolate bar with its wrapper? maybe say, kitkat??? Or even ice-cream with wrapper? Question 7: Cup cakes... Do you remove the paper cups? Finally, is it a golden rule that there should be no plastic wrappers on cakes??? no matter how beautiful they are??? Of course, those above are their "natural" wrappings... which without them, the subject may in fact lose meaning... but can't the plastic wrappers be accepted?? Seems like shooting with wrapper is a taboo... Not too sure about the "RULES" of food photography...

General rule is to shoot and provide the viewer a POV that the food is ready for consumption, that they can just pick it up off the photo and eat it.
Qn 1: What looks more delicious to you? Corn with skin? Corn without skin?
Qn 2: Can you start eating the pao without peeling off the paper? Me, I'd rather the paper off.
Qn3: Are you shooting to advertise the wrapper? or are you going to show how delicious it looks after it's unwrapped?
Qn4: Which style of presentation looks edible, and yet makes it immediately identifiable?
Qn5: Qn 1 - 4, the food is identifiable regardless if "protection" has been removed. For shelled meat, are they? Can the audience immediately think of eating prawn meat if you remove the shell, or will they spend more time wondering what it is?
Qn6 + 7: What would look more delicious?

[paxluv]

Only one photo a week.

[Deadpoet]

At the end of the day, aside from problems with exposures, DOF, POV that many had alluded to, I would never be able to produce what you did. One, I don't like or know how to do still life, and 2, don't think the cake would last that long. They would have gone elsewhere yummy.

That said, nice try, but only if you have been a little bit less lazy. The plastic wrapping you left on a few of the cakes killed everything. The ugly paper dolly that holds the cake is not much better either. You really should have taken the time to remove the plastic wrap and to put the cake on something that complements it asthetically, not just for holding it for transportation.

Now, work on your exposure and lighting, please.

[thoa_rs]

Great that you're so hardworking to practice on your own cakes! Just some pointers; soft, omnidirectional light doesn't cut it for food photography, you need lights that accent the texture and shine of the cake to make it look appetising. Try to play around with your DOF more, there is no need to always show the entire cake. Lifestyle food photographs these days use mostly very shallow dof and lots of bokeh.

That said, there's just too many things to look out for in food photography. While it's a noble attempt to try it at home without guidance, it would be best to assist a professional food photographer to learn really fast.

[AReality]

U're too lazy.

And why u use a wide angle for some of your shots?

.

[Youhong]

Originally Posted by microcosm Try not to post too many shots in here for C&C... Overall, I think warmer lighting and backgrounds works better for food...

Warmer? Use golden reflector??? Then the next question is:"how to make one?" me poor photographer... cheapskate - everything improvised one...

Originally Posted by unseen General rule is to shoot and provide the viewer a POV that the food is ready for consumption, that they can just pick it up off the photo and eat it. Qn 1: What looks more delicious to you? Corn with skin? Corn without skin? Qn 2: Can you start eating the pao without peeling off the paper? Me, I'd rather the paper off. Qn3: Are you shooting to advertise the wrapper? or are you going to show how delicious it looks after it's unwrapped? Qn4: Which style of presentation looks edible, and yet makes it immediately identifiable? Qn5: Qn 1 - 4, the food is identifiable regardless if "protection" has been removed. For shelled meat, are they? Can the audience immediately think of eating prawn meat if you remove the shell, or will they spend more time wondering what it is? Qn6 + 7: What would look more delicious?

Unfortunately, I personally thinks that their "wrappings" sort of compliment well with the food... Side track abit... Do you take roses with their leaves and thorns? or do you de-thorn them then you shoot???

Originally Posted by Deadpoet At the end of the day, aside from problems with exposures, DOF, POV that many had alluded to, I would never be able to produce what you did. One, I don't like or know how to do still life, and 2, don't think the cake would last that long. They would have gone elsewhere yummy. That said, nice try, but only if you have been a little bit less lazy. The plastic wrapping you left on a few of the cakes killed everything. The ugly paper dolly that holds the cake is not much better either. You really should have taken the time to remove the plastic wrap and to put the cake on something that complements it asthetically, not just for holding it for transportation. Now, work on your exposure and lighting, please.

Actually thought of finding a plate or something... then put a cup of coffee beside too... but can't find any nice ones around in my kitchen and storeroom...

Originally Posted by thoa_rs Great that you're so hardworking to practice on your own cakes! Just some pointers; soft, omnidirectional light doesn't cut it for food photography, you need lights that accent the texture and shine of the cake to make it look appetising. Try to play around with your DOF more, there is no need to always show the entire cake. Lifestyle food photographs these days use mostly very shallow dof and lots of bokeh. That said, there's just too many things to look out for in food photography. While it's a noble attempt to try it at home without guidance, it would be best to assist a professional food photographer to learn really fast.

Omnidirectional light dun work? I was thinking of making one big soft box or something... But right now only have my SB-800 and slave flash and one DIY bounce card... Anyway, thanks for the encouragement!

Originally Posted by AReality U're too lazy. And why u use a wide angle for some of your shots? .

Unfortunately, I only have this lens and Nikon 50mm f1.8.... I dun have a real macro lens or something....

[eikin]

Originally Posted by Youhong Warmer? Use golden reflector??? Then the next question is:"how to make one?" me photographer... cheapskate - everything improvised one...

buy golden wrapping foil from your nearest bookshop

Originally Posted by Youhong Unfortunately, I personally thinks that their "wrappings" sort of compliment well with the food... Side track abit... Do you take roses with their leaves and thorns? or do you de-thorn them then you shoot???

right, i think that's bad taste. go look into cookbooks on cakes, see which cake still has the wrapper on. remember to tell everyone if you do find one.

Originally Posted by Youhong Actually thought of finding a plate or something... then put a cup of coffee beside too... but can't find any nice ones around in my kitchen and storeroom...

does that make those cake holders look better?

Originally Posted by Youhong Omnidirectional light dun work? I was thinking of making one big soft box or something... But right now only have my SB-800 and slave flash and one DIY bounce card... Anyway, thanks for the encouragement! Unfortunately, I only have this lens and Nikon 50mm f1.8.... I dun have a real macro lens or something....

can safely tell you that you have more than enough equipment to work with.

i think you should work on it more, rather than finding excuses all the time.

[Youhong]

Originally Posted by eikin buy golden wrapping foil from your nearest bookshop

How big should I make?

Originally Posted by eikin does that make those cake holders look better?

But one thing I'm sure of is that if I were to put the cakes on my plates, I think will get a more serious bombing than just on the cake holders...

Originally Posted by eikin can safely tell you that you have more than enough equipment to work with. i think you should work on it more, rather than finding excuses all the time.

will try harder next time...