cheshire food photographer

Daylight White Balance

As a seasoned photographer who transitioned from film to digital, I've often found myself sticking to certain habits that have served me well over the years. One such habit is setting my camera to daylight white balance. In the era of film photography, the majority of the film available was balanced for daylight, and as I moved from film SLRs to digital and mirrorless cameras, I've continued this practice. Here's why I believe daylight white balance is a reliable choice for many photographers.

Understanding White Balance

White balance is a setting on your camera that adjusts the colors to ensure they look natural under different lighting conditions. The goal is to make whites appear white and colors look as true to life as possible. Different light sources have different colour temperatures, measured in Kelvin (K). For example, daylight has a color temperature of around 5500K, whereas incandescent light is much warmer, around 2700K.

The Appeal of Daylight White Balance

1. Natural Look: Daylight white balance mimics the natural light our eyes are accustomed to. This consistency helps in creating images that look natural and familiar, which is why it has been the standard for film photography.

2. Consistency: By keeping my camera set to daylight white balance, I ensure a consistent colour tone across my photos. This is particularly useful when shooting a series of images that need to have a uniform look, such as in a project or a photo essay.

3. Easier Post-Processing: Consistent white balance makes the post-processing stage more straightforward. If all images are shot with the same white balance, it's easier to apply batch corrections and achieve a cohesive look.

Daylight White Balance in Digital Photography

Digital cameras come with multiple white balance settings, including Auto, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Shade, and of course, Daylight. While auto white balance can be convenient, it often adjusts based on the scene, which can lead to inconsistencies in a series of shots.

Sticking to daylight white balance gives me control and predictability. I know how my images will turn out, and this control allows me to better visualize the final outcome while shooting. It's a throwback to the days of film, where the look of the image was dictated by the type of film used.

When to Deviate from Daylight White Balance

While daylight white balance is my go-to setting, there are instances where I make exceptions, especially when working with artificial light sources such as flash. Flash typically has a color temperature close to daylight, but depending on the modifiers used and the environment, it might require some adjustment.

In studio environments or when using flash, I might set a custom white balance to ensure accurate colour rendition. This involves using a grey card or white balance tool to measure the light and set a precise white balance in-camera.

In conclusion, daylight white balance is a dependable choice for photographers who want consistent, natural-looking images. It harkens back to the days of film, providing a familiar and reliable colour profile that simplifies the shooting and editing process. While there are times when other white balance settings or custom adjustments are necessary, daylight white balance remains a solid foundation for most of my photography work.

As you continue your journey in photography, don't be afraid to experiment with different settings to find what works best for you. But if you're looking for consistency and a natural look, daylight white balance is a great place to start.

Ray

Exploring the Dark Side of Food Photography: My Creative Process

As our vegetables ripen and our kitchen comes alive with culinary possibilities, I find myself contemplating which photographs to enter for the prestigious Pink Lady Food Photographer of The Year competition. Food photography has always captivated me, particularly its darker and more dramatic elements. I revel in the interplay of light and shadows, as exemplified by the recent capture of freshly picked gooseberries, causing my fingertips to sting. Placed in a rustic wooden bowl and bathed in soft natural window light, the use of a dark green velvet piano chair provides a striking background.

Throughout my career as a photographer and food photographer, I have gravitated towards the darker side of this craft. While some may favour vibrant and bright images, I am irresistibly drawn to the drama brought out by cleverly manipulated light and shadows. This preference is particularly evident when photographing freshly harvested vegetables like gooseberries.

In this particular image, I sought to highlight the innate beauty of the gooseberries, plucked by tender fingers. Opting for a weathered wooden bowl perfectly suited the rustic charm of these fruits. Utilizing natural window light, I evoked a gentle, warm glow that accentuated the subtle curves and textures of the gooseberries.

To enhance depth and intensify shadows, I positioned the wooden bowl against a backdrop of our dark green velvet piano chair. This choice served to accentuate the vivid greens of the gooseberries against a rich and moody background. By contrasting the brightness of the subject with the surrounding darkness, I aimed to create a visually captivating experience for viewers.

While lighting and shadows undoubtedly play vital roles in my style of dark food photography, composition is equally crucial. The placement of the gooseberries in the rustic bowl was carefully considered, offering a sense of balance and harmony. The slightly scattered arrangement adds effortless beauty, emphasizing the organic nature of the scene.

As mother nature's abundance unfolds in our garden, I find myself immersed in the captivating world of food photography. The Pink Lady Food Photographer of The Year competition offers a platform for expressing my affinity for dark and dramatic imagery. Through skillful integration of lighting, shadows, composition, and subject selection, my aim is to create compelling photographs that evoke emotions and leave a lasting impression.

By delving into the darker side of food photography, I hope to inspire others to embrace unconventional approaches and unleash their creativity in artistic pursuits. With each snap of the shutter, I remain steadfast in my commitment to push boundaries, uncover hidden beauty, and evoke powerful emotions through the lens.