I love some fresh raspberries and an antique scoop! In this photo setup, I was using my old milk crate to set up in with a linen cloth. I love using that crate on its side – with my props set up inside it – to really direct the light. The crate sucks up some of the light behind my props allowing me to achieve some beautiful dark shadows behind them.

I also used my black foam core board to take out some of the light on the front of this setup. I do this to direct the light exactly where I want it to go. Highlighting the perfect spots and adding some drama. In my photography now, I really try to be very intentional with the light. I try to manipulate it in many ways on each set up with diffusers and black foam boards to see just how creative I can get with my photo in camera.

When you first start out – you aren’t really thinking about that – it is more about just getting any photo that is good. Shooting thousands of photos hoping for the one that accidentally ended up good. As you progress – you learn that light really is very important – it is the element that will make or break your photograph. I want you to start experimenting with diffusers, black foam boards, scrims, etc… to get more comfortable with manipulating the light in your photos for better results.

The better your photo is out of the camera to start with – the easier the process is later when you go to edit and possibly add textures.

*This was shot with the Canon 5D Mark III, 28-70 2.8 L lens. F4.5 / 64mm / ISO 2000 /  1/60s

**Interested in learning more about food photography? – Let’s Get Creative With Food – food photography workshop is now open and I am sharing all my tips and tricks with you in this comprehensive workshop!

Behind the scenes on my table set-up.

This is the photo straight out of the camera!

Then I processed it with one of the scrumptious Lightroom presets included in the food workshop.

Then I added one of the textures from the food workshop – just experimenting to see what fun ways I could change up the photo a bit. I love the extra soft details this adds to the dark shadowy areas!