How did you set up the cherries to make them so appealing? I assume you used a light box and studio lights, but anything else?

You are one instructor whose work really impresses me. I can hardly wait until I'm ready to take your courses.

~Bunny #710680

Bunny, I hate to admit it, but I used the same lighting setup here that I used on the strawberries (see the description of the lighting setup I posted for you). But, you know, if the light setup gives you the results you want, then stick with it. At least that's my approach. But you can see on this shot that I didn't do as well. Notice the shadow under the bowl. *argh* I hate that! I prefer shadowless light for these types of shots.

Bunny, before I got the studio strobes several years ago, I had a $100 set of three tungsten lights that did almost as good a job as the strobes. And nowadays, there really affordable lighting packages available of every ilk. It pays to do some shopping, but I think you'll find something for almost any budget. And once you have the lights, then you can experiment into the wee hours of the morning with lighting. It's endlessly FUN.

I'd love to have you in a course. Just let me know!

Best to you,

Charlotte #4626574

I bought them as a learning tool, as I needed to have some way to see the light on the subject before measuring the light and triggering the flash. And, since my teacher used them, that was good enough for me.

After previously struggling in 2003 to light a plastic head which wore a hat, and only creating unwanted shadows, I just needed see the light and practice. After buying the White Lightnings, I practiced on anything that would sit still--crystal vases, jewelry, even silver.

I made a Light box from foam core as a temporary measure and set up on a table in which the center portion was cut out. In that cut out, I placed flexiglass and white paper and then placed small lights below the flexiglass. It looked like the subject matter was floating.

I used color filters over the lights to create blue water on which a crystal swan swam. You can image the fun I had learning to light almost everything.
I just never tried food...possibly because I knew food was so difficult to photograph well.

That one course ended up costing me well over $1500, for the lighting equipment and a soft box. ;-) Then, Hurricanes Lili and Rita hit us. :'( Each hurricane downed one tree each through our house and major damage. Fortunately the lights were in a water proof box, so they are fine, as was most of my photography equipment. But, emulsions fell off my prints and negatives. :-(

Add another injury and well, I haven't used my lights since. But, I want to get back into it as soon as I can walk better again.

So, I would love to be in one of your courses, as soon as I can learn the basics of Photoshop, first.

Thanks for sharing again.

Bunny #4626891