Project 52 by Frank Miller

[Donald]

Although I am just starting to learn PP,

What???????????????

Although when you set the bar as high as you do, then you are always going to be pushing further and further. I think there are many, like me, who view your existing post processing knowledge, skills and abilities as far and beyond anything that we could hope for.

[FrankMi]

What???????????????/

Although when you set the bar as high as you do, then you are always going to be pushing further and further. I think there are many, like me, who view your existing post processing knowledge, skills and abilities as far and beyond anything that we could hope for.

Now you've got me blushing beet red! LOL!

Your encouragement is much appreciated Donald, as always!

I don't tend to look much at yesterday's minor accomplishments, that's old news and quickly forgotten.

When I look forward to learning what I don't know, I see a daunting mountain that I may never be able to climb. Achieving the next learning experience, however, doesn't seem to be so impossibly far away....

If I'm not swimming forward every day, I'm being swept quickly downstream and out of sight so, watch this space for my next learning experiment and expect a flub every now and then!

[FrankMi]

I have always enjoyed taking pictures of food but never took the time to develop the skill to do so. This is my first attempt and I have to admit that prior to taking this image I didn’t read or view any tutorials on the techniques that apply to this specialized form of photography. As the cartoon character Bullwinkle would say, “Gee Rocky, ain’t he dumb?” OK, I’ll study up for the next attempt and hopefully the food will last long enough for me to get some more shots!

My goal with this image was to make the serving utensils look realistic and still capture all of the natural colour and texture of the nuts, raisins, coconut, candied fruit and particularly the red of the maraschino cherries, one of my favorites.

This could have been better had I thought to include a steaming cup of tea or coffee but I had a hard enough time keeping my mitts off the desert long enough to get the picture!



Although I can’t reshoot this image because I ate them, what do I need to do to improve my technique for the next time?

[CLK]

Use something you like to eat as the subject. Looks nummy.

I would suggest maybe moving the crumbs out of view. I haven't done much food either, but like to use a unique dish or plate at the base to kind of hold it together.

[FrankMi]

Use something you like to eat as the subject. Looks nummy.

I would suggest maybe moving the crumbs out of view. I haven't done much food either, but like to use a unique dish or plate at the base to kind of hold it together.

Good thought Connie! I'll vaccuum them up in Photoshop before I republish the image. Thanks!

[CLK]

Just reread my post Frank, meant to say to shoot something you don't like to eat in response to your question about a next time.

[FrankMi]

Just reread my post Frank, meant to say to shoot something you don't like to eat in response to your question about a next time.

Hmmmmmmm. Not to sure folks would get as excited over a picture of fried liver and onions?

Well, maybe some would!

[FrankMi]

OK! I took out the Photoshop Hoover and vacuumed up the crumbs.



I wish I could do a 'Scratch 'n Sniff' with this image!

Any other thoughts that would help improve this picture?

[Dave Humphries]

Any other thoughts that would help improve this picture?

It looks a little yellow tinted to me Frank, even on the areas of plate illuminated solely by the lights and not suffering reflection from the subject (and the serving tongs). I can't give any hard information, but just putting it in CS5 and doing an Auto White Balance correction seemed to help.

Being really pernickety; there is some detail in top right corner I can't figure out (folds in serviette, edge of plate, not sure) these are a very minor distraction.

Of course, a damp finger tip is another way of dealing with the crumbs

Cheers,

[Geoff F]

I just wonder if positioning the serving implements differently might enhance the scene a little better. Somehow, they don't seem to be creating a good 'balance' at the moment.

Did you experiment with different positions?

[FrankMi]

It looks a little yellow tinted to me Frank, even on the areas of plate illuminated solely by the lights and not suffering reflection from the subject (and the serving tongs). I can't give any hard information, but just putting it in CS5 and doing an Auto White Balance correction seemed to help.

Being really pernickety; there is some detail in top right corner I can't figure out (folds in serviette, edge of plate, not sure) these are a very minor distraction.

Of course, a damp finger tip is another way of dealing with the crumbs

Cheers,

White Balance is the bane of my photographic existance! I had set the White Point on the blown-out reflection of the serving utinsil. When I changed it to the white plate, it seemed to correct the yellowish cast.

Now the detail in the upper right corner? I'm on it! Thanks.



I can't tell if the White Balance is correct or just somewhere in the ballpark but then, until you pointed it out, I didn't see anything wrong.

[FrankMi]

I just wonder if positioning the serving implements differently might enhance the scene a little better. Somehow, they don't seem to be creating a good 'balance' at the moment.

Did you experiment with different positions?

Hi Geoff, I happened to be in a serving line with my camera when I noticed how nice the snacks looked so I blocked the line just long enough to grab the shot, the goodies, and move on. If I were home I'd likely eat them before I got the camera but, in theory, I should be able to take my time to set up the shot better! I'll need to work on my discipline, composition and lighting!

[Letrow]

I like the food idea Frank. I sometimes try it as well and it is difficult to convey in a photo what is right in front of you smelling and looking nice. I think the idea of having something steaming in there is a good one, makes it more lively.
For me, looking at the photo the white is slightly out of balance (no pun intended, as you already did the white balance) with the rest of the photo.
That area to the left of the cake is a bit too much for me. Might be personal, but that is what I would correct next time.

[Donald]

I can't think of anything sensible to add to what has already been said/suggested.

So why am I posting?

I happened to be in a serving line with my camera

that's fine and it's a good image as a result. However, as I'm sure you'd acknowledge (from your own statement about this being a specialist area of photography), where you want to be is in total control and charge of the shooting environment - backgrounds, lighting, etc., to probably get the sort of results you would want.

Now ... which room could you turn into a studio?

[FrankMi]

I like the food idea Frank. I sometimes try it as well and it is difficult to convey in a photo what is right in front of you smelling and looking nice. I think the idea of having something steaming in there is a good one, makes it more lively.
For me, looking at the photo the white is slightly out of balance (no pun intended, as you already did the white balance) with the rest of the photo.
That area to the left of the cake is a bit too much for me. Might be personal, but that is what I would correct next time.

Agreed! Hopefully next time it will be more planned and I can start with getting the light right, then arranging the components for a better composition, and, if there is any food left to photograph, take the image!

[FrankMi]

I can't think of anything sensible to add to what has already been said/suggested.

So why am I posting?


that's fine and it's a good image as a result. However, as I'm sure you'd acknowledge (from your own statement about this being a specialist area of photography), where you want to be is in total control and charge of the shooting environment - backgrounds, lighting, etc., to probably get the sort of results you would want.

Now ... which room could you turn into a studio?

So true! I really need to upgrade my current studio (image #62 of this thread) which will force me to learn how to use artificial light, reflectors, strobes, and all that expensive stuff I've avoided being confused by for the past year or so. On the other hand, my wife tells me that I wear a sign on my forehead that say's "Will work for FOOD" so anything is possible!

[Kris V]

Just reread my post Frank, meant to say to shoot something you don't like to eat in response to your question about a next time.

Yea, like liver and onions....

[jprzybyla]

Frank, you are making me hungry. Yum, yum... looks good to me.

[FrankMi]

Frank, you are making me hungry. Yum, yum... looks good to me.

Excellent! One of the basic goals of a good photograph Joe is to stir an emotion in the viewer!

[CLK]

Maybe that could be a photo challenge, who can take a picture of liver and onions and make them look good. Except that if no one likes to eat them, what do you do with them?