Using Natural Lighting
I find that many photographers especially those who just started their hobby invest expensive equipment especially lighting equipment. Here I have some easy solution that will give you photography with good adequate lighting. With artificial lighting sometimes you find that you are unable to control the exposure and the photos turned out different from what you want especially if you are an amateur photographer.
Here are some tips which is good for saving money and also for taking good photographs, naturally.
Natural light is FREE (especially food hunters like you do not have budget for expensive equipment)
Natural light is easier to work with, you have to find the perfect spot and adjust the angle to blend with shadow and highlights, that's all.
When I say Natural Lighting, I do not mean just the sunlight. It can be light from existing sources.
If the place is busy and you have crowd, you will find natural lighting so convenient that you do not disturb anyone's activities.
If you have a backdrop of natural lighting, you create an aura. However do not allow the backdrop's lighting to cast a shadow on the subject. For instance if you choose a location, make sure there is ample lighting to light the face of the subject. Usually the problem with this type of angle is the back lighting ends up too strong that the subject's features are part of the shadow. Here you face a situation of overexposure if you are not experience in controlling the aperture.
One of the problem with trying to adjust lighting is you face the constraint of SPACE
With proper lighting you can even capture very DETAILED artwork like this Latte Art.
Carrying Lighting Equipment is not suitable if you are a ONE man show
Equipment
Just in case some of you may wonder the type of equipment I use to produce such photos. Here is my setup. A very basic setup which is not costly. I believe that photography and ART must be affordable.
Canon 70d with 50mm 1.8 lens
Disadvantage of Natural Lighting
If you shoot with natural lighting, you will want the same brightness so you may not have the luxury of time. Example if you want to shoot 20 dishes in 2 hours, it is nearly impossible. You have the constrain of time. If you rely on the sun, you are constrained by the weather.
If it starts raining, there will be difference in quality of the photos that you produce. So the weather forecast is equally as important.
Here are the men behind this beautiful shop.
Happy Snapping. I am Steven Goh your friendly Steemit photographer.
Now let's enjoy the photo with all the delicious food~