Capturing Summer: A Guide to Filled Hard Light in Food Photography
In the past few months, I've become completely obsessed with learning and mastering hard light techniques in food photography, and I'm excited to share what I've discovered. Surprisingly, it's not complicated at all; with just one light and some basic reflectors you may already have at home, you can effortlessly create stunning photos. So, let's dive in.
Firstly, what is hard light?
Hard light is often associated with direct sunlight, a look that can be easily achieved during summertime when the sun is at its highest point in the sky. This type of light tends to create harsh shadows, which, in the realm of food photography, can be a bit tricky to work with. It's easy to lose beautiful details in your photo, and the fewer details you capture, the more flat your image will appear. So, how do you navigate this challenge? Well, this is where I want to introduce you to the concept of 'filled hard light.'
What is filled hard light?
Filled hard light is a technique where we use another light or a reflector to allow the primary light to bounce off the reflector, instantly brightening up our shadows. It's that simple. While you can use another light with less power to achieve a similar effect, it will require more space and additional equipment to attain the desired result. If you're dealing with larger scenes, such as expansive tablescapes, then employing this technique with an extra light might be more suitable. However, for capturing smaller scenes, like the one below, a simple reflector card and one light will suffice.
When to use filled hard light?
I frequently employ this technique when shooting summer recipes, and beverages, or when aiming to transport the viewer to sun-drenched places like Italy or any other bright and sunny destination. Filled hard light proves to be an excellent way to emphasize textures and craft vibrant images.
What equipment did I use?
For this specific photo, I utilized only one light and a reflector card, as the shooting space had limitations. Nevertheless, I achieved the desired result with no more than two pieces of equipment (excluding the tripod). This simplicity is ideal for on-location shoots where you want to carry only the most essential gear with you.
Setting the Scene:
For this photo, I used the following equipment:
Godox 50x130cm Rectangular Softbox Bowens Mount
Godox XPro-C TTL 2.4G Wireless High-Speed Sync 1/8000s Flash Trigger
Godox V860III-C Camera Flash Speedlite for Canon
Neewer 2PCS Photography Light Reflector Cardboard, A3 Size
I've been using all four pieces for several years, and I can confidently say that they are of high quality and perfectly suited for their respective purposes. If you're in search of reliable and effective equipment, especially tripods or flashes, considering these options is definitely worthwhile. :)
Using a Single Flashlight:
To kick off this photo shoot, I began by identifying the most comfortable spot in the room to set up my table and selecting a backdrop that would complement the vision I had in mind. Once everything was arranged, I positioned a tripod with a top-down view to capture the textures and colors of the salad I had prepared earlier, all while showcasing the beautiful dappled light that I envisioned for this photo.
I highly recommend using a tethering cable, which can be connected to your computer. This allows you to instantly view and analyze photos on a larger screen, making it easier to spot flaws and make adjustments during the shoot.
Afterward, I placed a test prop on the table and set up my flash diagonally across the table. I prefer this direction of light, finding it pleasant and natural in photos. Removing the diffuser from my softbox, I ensured direct light hit the scene and subject, mimicking sunlight. Additionally, I adjusted the flash's height and distance to create harsh shadows that weren't overly long, aiming for a midday or early afternoon sun look. With the light set up, play around until you're satisfied with the shadows before moving on to the next step.
Incorporating a Reflector:
Once content with the placement of light and the shadows it creates, it's time to introduce a reflector to fill in shadows and soften the hard light.
For this specific shoot, I used a single A3-size cardboard reflector. This reflector is my go-to in most shoots—it's easy to work with, compact, and perfect for limited spaces.
Position the reflector directly across the light so that when triggering the flash, the light bounces off the reflector, lightening the shadows around your subjects. You can choose between the white or silver/gold side of the reflector, each providing a slightly different feel. Experiment until you achieve the desired look.
Controlling Shadows:
Another crucial aspect to consider is observing and analyzing the shadows within the composition of your photo. When working with hard-filled light, even though the shadows are filled, they still wield significant influence over the overall mood and composition. Unlike soft light, where the interplay of shadow and light is more subdued, hard-filled light remains dominant. Therefore, it's crucial to be mindful and decide whether it enhances your storytelling or becomes distracting to the viewer.
To prevent this type of light from overpowering and distracting from your main subject, it's essential to ensure that your chosen composition is suitable for this lighting style. In this specific scenario, I refrained from placing tall glasses at the top of the composition, even though it would have supported the narrative. Placing tall objects at the top would have resulted in long, distracting shadows casting over my main subject. Additionally, I attempted to incorporate another prop on the left-hand side, which proved to be distracting as my light source was positioned in the top-left corner. Do you see what I mean by this? It's crucial to stick to the desired story and mood, but not at the expense of compromising other elements in the photo.
Distracting elements
In this example, you can see that the glass is generating distracting shadows, diverting the viewer's attention away from the main subject. Despite the fact that including a glass could enhance the overall storytelling, I made the decision to omit it. The reason is that it wouldn't harmonize with the specific light setup and composition in this scenario. It's a conscious choice made to maintain the focus on the main subject and ensure that the shadows don't detract from the intended narrative and mood of the photograph.
Styling Tips for a Summery Feel:
Let's briefly delve into creating the overall feel of summery photos. If you sense that something doesn't quite resonate, and your composition feels heavy rather than light and bright, take a closer look at your backdrop and prop choices. Ask yourself: do these props genuinely support the narrative of a summery photo, or have they been incorporated simply because you like them? While it's natural to want to include a trendy prop you're excited about, it may not always align with the chosen mood or style. I encourage you to step back and build your scene gradually. Question each prop you add, retaining only those that make sense in the context of the photo.
For photos like the one we've discussed, I often opt for light-colored props such as beige, pastel tones, or white. Transparent materials like glass can also complement light and summery compositions. Light fabric napkins made of linen or cotton can contribute to the summery ambiance, but ensure they aren't thick and dark, as that can make your scene appear heavy and forced. As for backdrops, I typically choose something light and bright, favoring pastel colors or vibrant shades of green, pink, and yellow, all of which work well to enhance the summery vibe.
Post-Processing Tips:
And finally, let's talk about post-processing, a step that will beautifully complete your final photo. I typically aim for natural-looking edits, reducing blacks and increasing whites to add a touch of contrast. Careful adjustments to highlights and shadows help balance the photo, ensuring that the brightest areas are not overexposed. Instead of using saturation or vibrance, I prefer working with the HSL panel, adjusting each color individually for greater control over the final result.
For summery photos like these, mastering white balance and temperature is crucial, as it can either make or break your image. I find that cooler tones and well-balanced whites contribute to that fresh and vibrant look. However, it's essential to keep the temperature natural and realistic, avoiding excessive adjustments.
One step I never skip is applying local adjustments to my main subject in the photo, ensuring it stands out among other supporting elements. This is a crucial step that can make a significant difference; it directs the viewer's attention to the main subject, exactly where you want it. Remember, guiding the viewer's eyes to the focal point enhances the overall impact. You can explore my editing process, along with before-and-after photos, in the link below.
Conclusion:
In wrapping up, mastering filled hard light in food photography is an achievable journey that doesn't demand costly gear. All you need is a grasp of the basics—refining your composition, controlling shadows, and selecting fitting props and backdrops. And when it comes to editing, less is often more. Keep it simple and fresh; the final results won’t disappoint you.
Now, what's the first thing you'd like to shoot using the discussed techniques? Feel free to tag me when you apply this technique in your photos and share them with anyone who might benefit from this blog post too. :)
Happy shooting!
