Photography~Food Pics~FOCUS Help Needed

[elevan]

Did you try the food setting? If not, give it a try. You can try the macro setting too, it may help.

I'll be going into the neighboring town tomorrow and will get he stuff to build the softbox then. It's very similar to the one that Smallfarmgirl showed. Hers would work just at good as mine.

I think that your focus has improved quite a bit. Play with your settings a little when you get a chance, but that picture is actually sharper than it seems. The yellowish color from the lights tends to throw the eye a little on sharpness and quality.

I think that you are ready to try to improve your lighting a little and try a shot then.

With your permission, I'll do a very quick edit and give you an idea of how removing the yellow tone will help the sharpness. (just a quick edit, nothing spectacular)

Feel free to make an edit and show me the difference, I don't mind.

I did use the FOOD setting on my camera.

The lights are CFL in my kitchen, so I really don't understand why they're throwing a yellowish light :/ Although the entire room is done is beige (not my idea).

Anyway...my goal is to show folks the food. So in the case of this turkey I didn't want anything else in the pic, so it didn't matter what was in the background.
Here's my edit of it:

 

[elevan]

Do you have a macro setting on your camera? I'd try to use it when trying to get close up shots, but don't zoom in while using the macro, just hold the camera closer. Most P&S cameras have little blinking lights that will tell you when you're too far or too close w/ the macro.

ALso, I've made a light box before for taking photos. It's really easy. I made one like this , only I used white tissue paper instead of fabric for the sides.

Thanks for your light box information.


Could someone please explain the macro setting for me? Why use it? How does it work? (I know how to set my camera to it)

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Here's my layman's explanation of macro: use it when you want to get close up shots. I know it focuses really well close up, but I'm not exactly sure of the details. I never use the flash with it, and I never zoom in and then use macro. That's about all I can tell ya.

 

[redtailgal]

Macros setting do a lot of things, they will often lower your aperature and raise your shutter speed, as well as giving a boost to the flash. You need a faster shutter speed with most macros because very up close stuff leaves no room for the object or the camera to move without causing blur. The lower aperature allows the camera to focus better on the smaller details. The high flash is to compensate for the aperature and shutter speed settings not allowing enough light in.

I am working on the soft box right now. I am a little frustrated because things didnt go according to plan, but that is life I guess.


Hopefully I will have it up tonight.

 

[redtailgal]

Just some exposure adjustments..........and taking out the yellow hue. It was a very quick adjustment. I worked from your original, and then took out the background with my own program. Elevan, keep in mind that I would be glad to edit and adjust any of your pics for you.

 

[elevan]

Thank you RTG. Such small changes and big improvement.

 

[redtailgal]

You welcome, and anytime!

The point to that was to show you that the TYPE of lighting in your kitchen (not the amount of light) is going to give you trouble. We can fix it though, just like Bob the Builder!! YES WE CAN!!!

(just spent some time talking with my 3 year old nephew, lol )

 

[Ms. Research]

You welcome, and anytime!

The point to that was to show you that the TYPE of lighting in your kitchen (not the amount of light) is going to give you trouble. We can fix it though, just like Bob the Builder!! YES WE CAN!!!

(just spent some time talking with my 3 year old nephew, lol )

Ah good Ole Bob the Builder. Thanks RTG, brings back memories.

K

 

[elevan]

This pic was taken using the close up scene setting on my camera. I think that I like this setting better than the food scene setting. :/

I'm still looking for focus critique but on this pic then you may also offer any other critique that you see fit. Thanks

 

[redtailgal]

On Focus: your focus is very nice. I like the crispness of what is closer and the way it softens out in the back "layers". I wouldnt change the focus at all.

Presentation: The angle is nice and the lighting is OK. I would add a spec of green (parsley or something). Just a spot of green would define the rest of the colors and give the pic a little more depth.

The lighting........While this is a really nice shot, lighting could take it to the next level. I know this sounds strange, but try a shot in your bathroom sometime.

Even if you dont change anything, this is a good cookbook worthy shot, IMO.