another failed attempt <sigh> APPLES ANYONE?!

[praline3001]

My family only buys organic fruit. One of my kids is a vegan and all about organic stuff.
Due to that I had organic apples on hand to practice with ~ not as pretty but they do have their own natural beauty.

I was going for a super white light photo. I used my tripod and off camera flash. The photo came out like crap. I wanted them to look juicy and fresh and lots of bright white light. I used a white backdrop as well. They didn't even come out as sharp as I wanted and I swear I used a tripod!!! Anyway, I am going to post the EXIF info and the photo. What I would love is some sharp teacher like directions on how I can improve my shot! That way tomorrow when things are quiet I can use the same apples and start over again from scratch. Don't worry about hurting my feelings as I know I missed my mark here! I am trying to learn how to become a photographer and that takes a few hits to the ego hehe

I want the photo to be white and bright looking. I want the apples to look juicy and not flat.


Camera Canon EOS REBEL T3i
Exposure 16
Aperture f/116.0
Focal Length 606 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias +6 EV
Flash On, Fired
X-Resolution 240 dpi
Y-Resolution 240 dpi
Date and Time (Modified) 2011:12:28 15:49:41
Software PaintShop Pro 14.00
Date Created 2011:12:27
Date and Time (Original) 2011:12:27 12:46:53-06:00
Date and Time (Digitized) 2011:12:27 12:46:53
Sub Sec Time Original 29
Sub Sec Time Digitized 29
Exposure Program Manual
Max Aperture Value 262144.0
Subject Distance 456F726978100 m
Metering Mode Multi-segment
Focal Plane X-Resolution 51840006F726978905 dpi
Focal Plane Y-Resolution 34560006F726978595 dpi
Custom Rendered Normal
Exposure Mode Manual
White Balance Auto
Scene Capture Type Standard
Compression JPEG (old-style)
XMPToolkit XMP Core 4.4.0
Rating 5
Metadata Date 2011:12:28 14:38:16-06:00
Creator Tool PaintShop Pro 14.00
Lens EF-S60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Lens ID 236
Image Number 0
Approximate Focus Distance 0.45
Flash Compensation -2
Original Document ID FEC9D9F0BD5751E69D321E0DDA4A8632
History Action saved
History Instance ID xmp.iid:C3E51D4D9131E111B5C3E98F8E6B56BF
History When 2011:12:28 14:22:08-06:00
History Software Agent Adobe Photoshop Camera Raw 6.6 (Windows)
History Changed /metadata
History Parameters converted from image/x-canon-cr2 to image/jpeg, saved to new location
Derived From Original Document ID FEC9D9F0BD5751E69D321E0DDA4A8632
Format image/jpeg
Flash Return No return detection
Flash Mode On
Flash Function False
Flash Red Eye Mode False


apples by praline3001, on Flickr

[AshNZ]

I quite like this picture. One way to make it less flatter is increase the contrast and saturation. That will give the picture some depth and make apples look more juicy.

[graciousness]

There really isn't much wrong with this photo. The colours are nice albeit the blown out area on the left side of the apple. In saying that, though, I think it could use a little more exposure except on the highlights. You need diffused light to achieve softer, overall lighting.

I think I understand the look that you are going for - is it something like an overall, almost washed out whiteness that you see in most food photography?

I think this photo is just a little bit too close if you are trying to achieve that look. The image is predominantly red and yellow from the apples so you're really going to have a hard time achieving overall whiteness with such bold colours filling the frame. Again, diffused lighting is the key.

Try using some filters if your editing software have that option.

By the way, if you ever do want to increase colour saturation and contrasts, the best way to do this is by adjusting Curves and Levels (RGB and Luminance).

[praline3001]

Thanks for the advice!

I was trying to go for this type of look:
Apple. Photo Close Up. Fresh Drops Of Dew. Royalty Free Stock Photo, Pictures, Images And Stock Photography. Image 3379536.

This is not my photo so didn't want to add the photo to the thread. See how it isn't flat looking and its nice and juicy?

[graciousness]

Well spray the fruits with water like they did on the photo, silly

Food photographers will always use whatever means to make food glossy. You dont' wanna know what they actually spray on food with commercial food shoots......inedible

But that one is fairly simple as it's only sprayed with water and they used diffused light. You can use your built-in flash, but find something to put over it (something transluscent like sticky tape or tupperware) to diffuse the light. Experiment so you can find out which works best with a home-made diffuser

[praline3001]

Originally Posted by graciousness

Well spray the fruits with water like they did on the photo, silly

Food photographers will always use whatever means to make food glossy. You dont' wanna know what they actually spray on food with commercial food shoots......inedible

But that one is fairly simple as it's only sprayed with water and they used diffused light. You can use your built-in flash, but find something to put over it (something transluscent like sticky tape or tupperware) to diffuse the light. Experiment so you can find out which works best with a home-made diffuser

/facepalm

I knew I forgot something

I didn't get a chance to work on my photography today, busy with the kids. When does school start back up again?!!?

I have a diffuser for my speedlite but didn't use it. I am rethinking the whole thing and might go with warm softer colors rather then harsh white with the apples. I am learning and experimenting.. thats the only way I will learn

[sk66]

I say stick with the idea until you get the desired results...even if you don't like it so much in the end.

Biggest issue is the lighting...it's too harsh and directional. I would drape a white sheet near the fruit to fire the flash thru if you don't have a proper softbox/umbrella.

f/116? 606mm? I think you also need a deeper DOF

[praline3001]

Originally Posted by sk66

I say stick with the idea until you get the desired results...even if you don't like it so much in the end.

Biggest issue is the lighting...it's too harsh and directional. I would drape a white sheet near the fruit to fire the flash thru if you don't have a proper softbox/umbrella.

f/116? 606mm? I think you also need a deeper DOF

Thanks! This is what I was looking for. I really want to improve but can't unless I know what I did wrong with my failures

Hopefully I can try again tomorrow as today was a bit too hectic for working on photography in the house.

[spazoid1965]

Originally Posted by graciousness

Well spray the fruits with water like they did on the photo, silly

Food photographers will always use whatever means to make food glossy. You dont' wanna know what they actually spray on food with commercial food shoots......inedible ....

Before spraying with water, Wipe the fruits with oil. Rub a thin layer of corn, vegtable, or olive oil. Then wipe the excess away. This will give the fruit a gloosy depth and will help the water to bead up on the fruit. The fruit can still be eaten when you are done with the shoot. If you don't care about eating the fruit afterward you can clear spray laquir, urethan, or car wax on it.

[praline3001]

Well I was going to work on this set up today ...... (sigh) teenage boys are garbage disposals! I will have to wait until I make another grocery trip lol