In food photography, soft light is often used as the main light. The main light can be either backlight or side light. To make the food look appetizing, we generally fill or brighten the shadows.

The side of the food away from the main light will be dark. To brighten and soften the shadows, we reflect light from the main light into the darker side. Adding fill evens out the light. It reduces contrast. You can’t simply correct for this with software. When you do, you will lose detail in the brighter areas to get a good exposure on the areas in shadow.

The fill in a photo studio may be another light or a white board to reflect light back on subject . You can try a piece of computer paper if you don’t have white cardboard. Use it to reflect the main light back onto the subject. It will brighten the shadows and even out the light.

Working with your main light, photograph a group of a few food items, using back and side light, both with and without fill.

First pick a background. Arrange the items on the background , creating a pleasing composition .

Set position of main light and rearrange items if necessary. To soften light from a clip lamp place tracing paper in front of light. If you can’t soften the light, adjust the light so shadows are not distracting.

Shoot the scene with backlight

  • one overhead shot (birds eye view)
  • one 3/4 shot
  • one detail

Shoot the scene with backlight and add fill

  • one overhead shot (birds eye view)
  • one 3/4 shot
  • one detail

Shoot scene with side light

  • one overhead shot (birds eye view)
  • one 3/4 shot
  • one detail

Shoot scene with side light and add fill

  • one overhead shot (birds eye view)
  • one 3/4 shot
  • one detail

Upload all 12 images to open lab in a gallery. Lab11 Food/ Fill

Label all images

Describe your process including how you set up the shot. What did you use to reflect light into the shadows. Did you get better results from back or side light? Which image is the best? Why?