Lighting a Napa Cabbage

[Mike Buckley]

The photos shown below are of the same Napa cabbage leaf (also called Chinese cabbage or just Napa with no other reference to the type of vegetable). The overall style of each image is different because of the very different lighting. Surely some people will prefer one image over the others, which is fine. I actually don't have a preference, though on any given day that might change. Instead, I enjoy seeing the characteristics that each lighting method unveils. (I'm beginning to appreciate why Edward Weston made at least 30 photos of a bell pepper. )

Photo #1 Setup
The cabbage was lying horizontally at the time of capture to facilitate easy setup. The background is dark green presentation paper. Relative to the image, which is rotated 90 degrees clockwise, a small continuous-light lamp is on the right and a white reflector is on the left.

Photo #2 Setup
The background is dark green presentation paper. A ceiling flourescent light fixture, which includes a standard diffuser, is far away from the subject in the top right area and a white reflector is adjacent to the subject in the bottom left area.

Photo #3 Setup
The background is dark green presentation paper. A small continuous-light lamp lights the subject from behind. A second one lights the background and the top of the subject from above. Black paper placed forward of and immediately above the lens eliminates flare caused by the second lamp. A polarizer eliminates glare on the top of the leaf.


Photo #1



Photo #2



Photo #3

[Shadowman]

Nice series, really like the last one.

[PRSearls]

I also prefer number 3. The translucent appearance highlights the vein structures nicely and gives the leaf more of an "alive" appearance. It's fun to experiment with lighting.

[Wavelength]

You surprise me!!!!

[mugge]

Mike, image #3 is outstanding.
Cheers Ole

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you, everyone!

Considering that three of you mentioned the last image, which is back lit, I'll add that I initially intended to make only that image. That's because any time I see a translucent object, I instantly think of lighting it from behind. After studying the characteristics of the subject, I decided to also make the first two images, which have no back lighting. It wasn't until I made them that I finally got around to making the last one.