For Karly
@365karly1 and everybody interested in the set-up of my dark (black) background still-lifes.
It is a very easy set up I can mount and stow away in 2 minutes. Normally I try to shoot with natural light, but at the moment there is not a lot of light coming though the windows. To stopp motion from the powdered sugar I use this external flash, with a black cardboard tube (bricolage).
I have no fancy studio and as the best light is "on" our dinner table, this is the place I shoot this stuff. The backdrop is black felt material, the layer under the laquered board a black fleece blanket. The windows from the right are normally my light source. (Rarely I add light from the pendula lamp above). I use an external flash only for smoke, steam, glitter, powdered sugar, etc. The later I take the picture, the better the light. (Softer and warmer light from the setting sun).
You can use a glass from an old picture frame. For better and safer handling I use also this board from a little side table I bought at Ikea for a couple of $. The cleaner the better, for the reflection. Depending on the size of the object I use my nifty fifty, a macro lense 90 or 100mm), or in this case a good 18-50mm lense. Depending on the dof I would like to achieve, I work with small or large aperture and adapt the shutter speed. Always in manual mode. (ISO 100). I always check the white balance. I really try to have a dark picture, with only some light on the object already in camera.
Processing: This depends on the RAW picture. I often use different layers. Dodging and burning is often involved, cross processing the colours too.
Thats about it! But I also try to use different techniques. Crazy homemade filters, fokus stacking, etc. to get out of my comfort zone.
I hope this helps. Please tell me, if there are further questions. If you give it a try, it would be a pleasure for me if you tag me, so I can enjoy the pictures too.
Here the picture I gotten out of this setup today:
https://365project.org/mona65/365/2018-01-22 
