Food photography "how to" explained - Coffee Bean Orange
So here's the gear I used for this shot:
Nikon D800
Nikon 105mm
Nikon SB800
Nikon SB900
Photoflex Triton (this thing rocks)
PocketWizard TT5 & TT1
HarborDigitalDesign 1/4" Quick Spot Grid w/ light orange gel
White backdrop
Sirui T-025 Tripod
Manfrotto Lightstand
So my goal here was to have a frosty white background, roasted brown coffee beans and vibrant color in the orange slices. I picked this coffee cup because of the contrast already going on in the design. With this idea here's what I did:
1. Placed white backdrop inside box, then placed SB-900 flash on it's back facing up in TTL mode (w/Pocket Wizard TT5)
2. Placed white transparent plexiglass on top of box
3. Arranged the coffee beans, coffee cup and orange slices
4. Set up my SB-800 flash on small tripod with 1/4" spot grid and light orange gel as key light pointed at my coffee beans and orange to add some warmth. Shot in TTL mode w/Pocket Wizard TT5
5. Set up the Photoflex Triton with extra small Octodom softbox set to manual 1/2 power as fill light. Connected to camera with sync cord.
6. With the fresh smell of the coffee beans... had to brew up some fresh coffee!
From there I moved around taking various shots, till I found one that worked the best for me. Here's the final photo after I made a few adjustments in Photoshop: Added some contrast, levels adjustment, punched up the vibrance, and high pass filter (thanks for the tip Scotty). Next I'll be printing this next on FinestraArt Pearl Photo paper . By the way if you haven't tried printing on this paper... I highly recommend it!
ISO 100 | 105mm | 1/200 sec | f/20
Putting this tutorial together was fun, I hope you enjoy it!
Thank you for making PhotographyTalk.com your photography community of choice.
icepics wrote: Oh lordy LOL. I started to type a response and then went back and looked again... It's the second photo from the top of the thread - the photo below the one of the flash. There are 'stripes' that appear to be shadows across the top of the white cloth table covering. I wondered if that was what was causing a whitish highlighted area on the cup.
In the third photo you can see the sliding glass door and what looks like blinds, so I think that's what caused the shadows on the table. However in the third photo the shadowy stripes don't appear, which I guess is either because of the more overhead shot or it was taken at a different time of day.
Whew. I'm sorry I ever noticed it. Now I need a cup of coffee, with a big splash of Kahlua in it!
LOL... those photos I wasn't even concerned about the light coming in. It was the finished shot I was most concerned about. Thanks for the comments!
That drink sounds pretty good
I might need to follow! Thank you for making PhotographyTalk.com your photography community of choice.
CanonKid wrote: How do you like that Triton flash? I'm waiting for them to go on sale
This thing comes in so handy, Photoflex engineered the heck out of this strobe. If you are looking for something that is powerful and mobile this set up will rock the house for you. It's 300 watts and I want to say has a 185 guide number. And it backs up nicely too.
Thank you for making PhotographyTalk.com your photography community of choice.
Alex wrote:
CanonKid wrote: How do you like that Triton flash? I'm waiting for them to go on sale
This thing comes in so handy, Photoflex engineered the heck out of this strobe. If you are looking for something that is powerful and mobile this set up will rock the house for you. It's 300 watts and I want to say has a 185 guide number. And it backs up nicely too.
Thanks Alex. BTW I just sent you a message. Get back with me on that. 
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