Let’s get started with Excellent Still Life Photography with flash (natural light) to obtain a natural light look. You may wish to use flash in a way that makes food look delicious. I will share an approach blending daylight with a one-light setup that will deliver excellent results.
Excellent still life photography with flash starts with a fantastic idea and, in this case, an appetizing subject. Photography with flash can be a challenge, so hopefully, this article will get you going in the right direction. The idea here is to create a light with flash that looks like natural light.
Still Life Photography lighting approach
Begin the process with establishing an ambient exposure with my camera meter on “Evaluative” mode. I take a photo and view it on the laptop tethered to the camera and on a tripod. The exposure establishes an overall look. The light is opposite the camera. I will then adjust the exposure and take another photo with a Color Checker Passport to establish a white balance for the image.
Flash for a natural light, and beautiful result.
Now that ambient light and white point have been set, I will add the flash. Attached to the flash is a 1’x3′ softbox plus a speed ring on a Profoto B1. This oblong light source gives a soft light look with a longer reach of light across the image and creates more highlights. I use a Profoto TTL module for my camera. After an initial exposure is made I will switch the module to Manual, and then tweak the power that makes a perfect exposure.
Blend in both ambient and flash exposures for a signature look.
When combining the ambient and flash exposure, it’s very subjective. Don’t be afraid to increase and decrease the flash output for balance. Make sure to add your fill board on the right side. You can also try to see if the fill light helps balance the front of the image.
Final thoughts for Excellent Still Life photography with flash
At this point, you should be amazed by the way your image is looking. I think blending ambient light and flash to create a natural-looking light for your photo is excellent. I hope this answers how to get excellent still-life photography using one flash.
