Food photography +lighting +great looking I want to sink my teeth into that Michelin Star Chef’s prepared dish or the latest James Beard Award Winning Pastry Chef’s confections requires a bit of work to look so appetizing.  Most of the time photographed food isn’t even cooked or the actual ingredient you think.  Many photographers do shoot real food these days though, Andrew Scrivani NY Times food photographer is one that does.  (I took an online Craftsy.com class taught by him)  Regardless, lighting is important.  It really does make the shot, and despite my novice, even I know this.

I like to shoot real food and I mostly take pictures in my home, in my kitchen and with natural light and white foam boards from Office Depot.  While lately I am more of a publisher it seems featuring other people’s recipes and finds and producing little, if anything innovative myself, there are benefits to this.  As a result, in this case, my food photo shoots just got a whole lot better without breaking the bank. Yours will too if you want to get crafty and DIY it. Thanks to SKILLSHARE! See their light box and mine below!

Here is my first build:

Supply List:

Box(s)Packing Tape, Tape Measure, Box Cutter, Scissors, Pencil, two Clamp Lamps, Ramekins, Tissue paper, Light Bulbs

 

My DIY light boxes were fun to make.  If DIY isn’t your forte Samy’s Camera sells similar one for a little more cost than I spent making mine (all my supplies included).  If you do DIY it, all items I purchased at Home Depot (except tissue paper).  Home Depot boxes work best for me so far as they are quite sturdy. I chose two different style of light bulbs, Phillips Dura Max 65 W and ECOSMART 100W.  Colored lights or different colored tissue papers is something I will try next on my next few boxes.  Have fun and happy shooting!

Until Next Time…

 

**extra larger boxes outtakes

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***this was originally posted on July 20, 2016