the style of the photo isn't really suited for food photography in my opinion. without the colour, the subject doesn't look like food, because my mind is too focused on the texture. the hamburger bun looks like a rock formation and i can't tell if the chips are soggy or dry and brittle. The lighting on the chips is also not uniform, so it looks like some of them are severely burnt.
I would've liked more detail in the contents of the burger.
In any case, it's a good attempt, keep at it. I haven't done any food photography myself so don't take it as law.
@scatochef thanks for that very constructive critique :) Well honestly I'm not really into food photography. I just want to study off camera lighting. But that was really pretty informative critique :) It gave me a little idea about food photography :) Thanks :D
@manek43509 it's ok to be honest :) It's better to learn the hard way they say :)
@josephpadiernos Critiquing JUST the lighting - that is actually pretty good. It's a TAD too bright in the middle - there's a spot there where the chips are pretty washed out and a little overexposed. You're on the right track, though!
@josephpadiernos Thanks dude! :) I don't claim to be any sort of expert - but I learn more on this site every day, and if I can help someone else, that is most excellent. :)
@josephpadiernos Just a couple of quick points to add to what has already been mentioned.
To create interesting lighting you have to create interesting shadows. The position of the light is to direct and should be more on a 45 degree angle. Straight from above it doesn't give depth.
The other problem with the grid is it gives a very direct light source and you have over cooked the middle. this is also a reason why you would put it on a angle.
food photos are much more difficult than they look. I think it is really dark and if cropped well would pass as an abstract instead of a food photo. I think and am no expert having a light from the side would help
I instantly thought the burger and fries were being interrogated....I love it. But I have to agree with the previous replies. The texture of the food you shot is overwhelming. Parts of the shot are washed out. But beside all of that, I got a good giggle out of it. I'm sure I wasn't supposed to, but I did. "Alright, who killed the HOT DOG?! I'm not asking you this question again. Don't make me bring out the condiments."
ok, honestly i would like to recomend a thing ,,, ahhh whats it called, some kind of difuser for your off camera flash, I see your going for a low light theme but the light should be more evenly lighting the fries as well as the burger, just saying, i dont even have a flash yet. ... the burger looks like it has an eye and it wants to eat me lol
I'm afraid I can't critique you much on the off camera lighting because I have yet to get myself an sb600. However, what I like about the photo is how different it is to typical food photography, as everybody keeps mentioning. I think its good experimenting with a different sort of approach to food. My first thought was something along the lines of what @jcmn said about them being interrogated, like they're being put under the spotlight, which is quite fitting for a mcdonalds burger! Anyways, keep at it!
@eryck they are not called gridspots just grids. They sit over the end of a light and look like honeycomb. They have different levels/degrees and this will determine how narrow the beam of light is.
off camera flash critique ive got to echo what others have said... in my opinion its too directional to get information from the bulk of the hamburger.
Also, I'd have liked the hotspot to be on the burger as the star of the shot as opposed to the fries. Interesting take on it though.
I knew instantly what it was & I'm not even hungry. I just like my fries to be a lil crisper than the ones on top. Maybe you could lighten it a bit - a wee tad more light I think, but honestly it's a bit "out of the box" & that is good IMO. :)
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I would've liked more detail in the contents of the burger.
In any case, it's a good attempt, keep at it. I haven't done any food photography myself so don't take it as law.
I love this style of photography, actually - I just don't really think it works for chips. :/
@manek43509 it's ok to be honest :) It's better to learn the hard way they say :)
To create interesting lighting you have to create interesting shadows. The position of the light is to direct and should be more on a 45 degree angle. Straight from above it doesn't give depth.
The other problem with the grid is it gives a very direct light source and you have over cooked the middle. this is also a reason why you would put it on a angle.
This is one you can put on the end of your speedlite.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/601264-REG/Honl_Photo_HONL_GRID8_1_8_Speed_Grid_for.html
Also, I'd have liked the hotspot to be on the burger as the star of the shot as opposed to the fries. Interesting take on it though.