Strawberry Fields Forever: A Photographer's Process
A PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION FOR STRAWBERRIES THIS BLOG IS ALL ABOUT MY OWN PROCESS FOR WHEN I NEED TO TAKE A SELECTION OF IMAGES TO USE FOR MY OWN SOCIAL MEDIA AND PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL.
My marketing strategy includes planning yearly food days, wellbeing days, or holiday days into my calendar, so that I can upload a photo for the occasion.
I have decided to photograph strawberries, because this is a key summer fruit.
The plan for a photo session is to take dark moody photographs, with a black background & diffused light rays.
Take a look at this setup
This is a simple setup, with two black cardboard boards. I have placed these two boards to diffuse the light. I am playing with either one individual strawberry or multiple pieces of this fruit.
I am using a flashlight to brighten up part of the fruit. This process of light diffusion can be used with all types of light sources.
YOU MAY THINK!
WHY WOULD YOU DIRECT AND MANAGE THE LIGHT STRENGTH?
I play with the light to lead the viewer to the picture's focus, the fruit.
Earlier, I mentioned a dark mood in food photography, and this is related to how a food product is lit.
Theory - Dark Food Photography means “light-dark” and refers to the contrast between shadows and light in an image. The technique guides the viewer's eye to a specific area in the frame and creates a dramatic mood
Make sure you don't forget to still light your food correctly, as dark food photography still needs light.
Read more about different ways to take a dark mood picture - https://twolovesstudio.com/blog/dark-food-photography-tips/
Throughout this shoot, I have included key props to my photography setup, like:
Reflective surface to add strawberry reflection to the picture
Used multiple fruit pieces & laid them out within a composition. I have used leading lines, as I can play with how I place the fruit in a group or line
Included water in the images, with droplets and splashing the fruit into the water
Check out my Instagram reel on the process and the different props I used in this dark moody food photography shoot.
I used the dark background for the strawberry splash images, as the dark colour showed the water movement or splashing each time the fruit drops into the water.
Theory - Water splash photography allows you to practice and improve your photography skills using an external flash. For this setting process, you freeze the movement, and the best shutter speed to use is 1/200 shutter speed with a synced flash.
This is an exciting technique to learn and play with. To learn more, follow this link - https://digital-photography-school.com/water-splash-photography-made-easy/
This photography technique can be used for various products.
Peppers
Fruit
Milk
Liquids in a glass
Liquid splashes for food products
When setting up this photo shoot, you need a blank background, black, white or colour.
When setting up this photo shoot, you need a blank background, black, white or colour. I have mentioned dark moody food photography and water splashes photography throughout this photo session. Water splash photography is used for commercial and advertising photography for food or products. This technique will make food look energizing, fresh and exciting.
The theory behind dark food photography and the reason behind using this technique is that
‘It evokes emotions as much as craves. Moody food photography uses the Chiaroscuro technique. It's an Italian term referring to the contrast between shadow and light. You can find it in many paintings, including Vermeer's and Caravaggio's.’
Theory - Chiaroscuro is one of the canonical Renaissance painting modes.
Do you recognise the painting picture to the left?
Check out this YouTube video on this historical painting technique. This influences the dark moody photography technique I use, just like many other food photographers.
Blog Summary: A Photography Session for Strawberries
In this blog, I share my creative process for a strawberry-themed photography session, designed for social media and promotional content. As part of my marketing strategy, I plan shoots around seasonal foods and special occasions, this time focusing on strawberries, a quintessential summer fruit.
The goal was to create dark, moody images using a simple setup: black cardboard boards to diffuse light and a flashlight for controlled highlights. This technique, inspired by the Chiaroscuro style seen in Renaissance art, emphasizes the contrast between light and shadow, guiding the viewer’s attention to the subject.
I experimented with various compositions, including:
Reflective surfaces to capture intriguing reflections
Leading lines using grouped strawberries for dynamic framing
Water splash photography, freezing motion with high-speed shutter settings for dramatic effects
These methods not only enhance the visual appeal but also evoke strong emotions, making the images more engaging. For more tips on dark food photography and water splash techniques, check out the linked resources and my Instagram reel showcasing the behind-the-scenes process.
WHAT NEXT?
Ready to elevate your food photography skills? Check out my behind-the-scenes reel on Instagram, and don’t forget to explore the linked resources to take your food photography to the next level.
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