Food Photography : Piece of Cake?

ivanjoshualoh
cakes-044
A shot of the cherry “props”.
What are the challenges one faces when shooting food? Today I have eight cakes to
photograph. In the world of commercial photography; the photographer not only
needs to shoot, set-up lighting, style and also needs to crack a joke or two when
the environment gets a little uptight. Today’s shoot is definitely not a piece a cake.
OINK6844

DSCF7177
Adjustment, adjustment and more adjustment.
DSCF7192
My set-up for the day.
DSCF7179
Fellow photographer Tiong Jin, holding on to my precious mirror.

DSCF7163

Weapon of choice is GFX with GF120mm as the main lens.  I also used
GF63mm and GF45mm; basically for a few top angle shots.  Primarily GF120mm
is the lead actor for today’s shoot. As for lighting up of the scene; it’s mostly a
simple 3 lights set-up. 3 Broncolor Siros 800L are the lighting gears. A 60cm x 60cm
softbox acts as the main light. A kicker light to rim certain section of the cake. I did’t want this secdond light to spill and therefore a fine honeycomb grid was used for
better control and focus. The third light was used to light the wall/background area
with just a standard reflector.
I would also like to share an inexpensive but very valuable gear I can;t live without
in food photography . Its name is call the Mirror! Yes, you heard it. I love to use
mirror as a reflector for some small and specific area. By default I will usually
have 3 mirrors in my camera case. A small, medium and a large A4 size version.
These are just ordinary mirrors.
DSCF7119
My camera setting for the day. Or there about.
OINK6830
Malakoff before it being decorated.
DSCF7183
Heating the cake knife with a blow torch.
DSCF7188
One cut is all it takes with a “heated” knife.
Another challenge when it comes to food photography; shooting without a food
stylist. To me it’s not a deal breaker if your client doesn;t have extra budget for a
food stylist; especially after paying you with all their budget. All it takes is a little
more time to discuss with your client and bounce ideas to one another. Discussing
with your client and preparing props before the shoot certainly helps.  Actually
if a photographer is able to style the food; it’s an added advantage.
Here are some behind scene shots. You are also able to see how the lights have been
set-up. And also the a couple of cakes photos. Don’t they all look so delicious?

OINK6835

Staying focus.
Fellow photographer Tiong Jin helping me for the day.
cakes-142
Carrot Walnut Cake.
cakes-263
Malakoff.
cakes-351
Sacher Chocolate Cake.
cakes-215
Walnut Cake.
cakes-381
Truffle Raspberry Cake and Malakoff.
cakes-243
Truffle Raspberry Cake.
Do follow my IG at :
Thank You.

Published by ivanjoshualoh

Ivan Loh, A Fuji X-photographer is known for his quirky and different approach through his lens. He has received numerous accolades from the International Photography Award, New York and Photography Master Cup. Most Recently a Gold, 1st Place at the 2014 PX3 Prix De La Photographie in Paris . Ivan started shooting since his teenage years with his father’s Nikon SLR and he hasn’t stopped since. He has lensed campaigns for clients such as Singapore Airlines, MTV Asia, Nike, Bossini, Nanyang Technological University(NTU) Tuas Power, Allianz Insurance, Manulife Insurance, HSBC Insurance, DHL. TNT, UOB, CAAS, Hilton Group, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Raffles Hotel, Diegeo, Embraer, Carlson, TATA Communication, HDB, Clark Quay, HOT FM 91.3, Kiss 92FM, JIA 88.3, Power 98, and CHIMJES. His editorial works have appeared in magazines such as Conde Nast, Home+Living, TopGear Singapore, Her World, Cleo, Seventeen, FHM, Parents World and Home & Decor. His works have also glossed the pages of international magazines such as Asian Photography and Digital Photography(UK).

1 Comment

Leave a Reply