Help: Wanting to photograph sliced fruit

Buck

Buck

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Adrian
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Hi all

Firstly, apologies if there is a topic elsewhere in TP that covers this but my search attempts didn't come up trumps :(

I want to take a photograph of some sliced fruit i.e. Oranges or Limes from above with the fruit lit from underneath to show the structure/detail of the slice.

I don't have an off camera flash so I had thought of having the camera on 'bulb' then manually triggering the flash underneath a glass table to light the structure of the fruit.

Any ideas if this will help or am I best using a halgoen type light to light the fruit then use a 'normal' shutter speed with the flash on camera so that I get the subject top and back lit?

I'd want the shot to be something like this but with multiple slices

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbloggs2002/2497096039/


Sorry for the rambling but not sure how to go about this!
 
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Either a cheap lightbox (as used to view slides) as the light source or using a flatbed scanner with a tranny hood (as used to illuminate film) would be my choice. If using the scanner, you could use that as the camera too - remember to set the thing to treat it like a slide.

In either case, I would suggest you use an acetate sheet to protect the surface that the fruit will be sat on to prevent acid damage and stickiness.
 
Thanks Nod

Am I right in thinking that such a lightbox is a sheet of white perspex/acetate with a bright light underneath?!

Also, any ideas on where you can get a cheap one!??!
 
Basically, yes, that's what a lightbox is. You could rig up something similar with a sheet of frosted perspex and a couple of low energy lamps or you might find one going cheap in a bargain bin in Jessops or similar.
 
Thanks Nod

I'll see what I can rig up this week :thumbs:
 
Cheap light box - 4 plastic cups, a caserole dish and a table lamp.
DSCF1785s.jpg


Result:

A Slice of Sunshine by sypix, on Flickr

It was also lit from the top with onbaord flash.
 
Thanks Simon

Interesting set up (and effective!)

What camera settings did you use and did you use flash or just ambient light?

Thanks for your help
Adrian
 
I thought I used flash, but exif says not. (It was taken over 3 years ago now)
It was taken with a Canon 20D and Sigma 150mm macro lens. ISO 100, f8, 1/200s.
I did put a piece of white paper (as seen to the side of the setup) on top of the dish, before putting the orange on it, but it came out grey'ish, so had to cut the background out.
 
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Cheers Simon


I tried white paper too and was suprised how grey it looked even when I used custom white balance!

Thanks again
Adrian
 
The fruit is a little dark so I'm guessing you made the background white in post.
Try over exposing more?
 
Hi

Yes I had it on White paper but the paper ended more grey when lit from underneath.

I tried exposing for longer but found the texture bled out from the structure of the fruit.

I need to try this on some White Perspex I think.

Thanks for the feedback
 
Not a problem, it's inspired me to try the same. I have an assignment that needs circles and triangles and I think this fits the brief whilst looking great.

Luckily I have a slide lightbox rescued from the rubbish at work that I can use.
Rather than white A4 paper, how about baking paper, or just use a more powerful light? Obviously be careful of heat and burning.

I have read before that people spray fruit/vegetables with glucose spray (or sugar and water solution) to make the fruit shine.
 
Thanks!

I have bought a cheap lightbox from eBay for <£10 to try out! I also want to try it in day light to give more top light without over exposing the fruit flesh.

I'm also going to keep on trying some other techniques to see if I can get there!

(Good idea re the glucose - will make it glossy!)
 
nice shots...


edit: shoot! didn't realise this is my first post. i've been lurking for a long time. lol
hello btw!
 
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Great first attempt Buck. They look a little dark to me? As I said previously, I was sure I used flash on mine with some flash exposure compensation, but the exif is saying otherwise. The other thing I remember doing is that I cut a circle out of the piece of paper where the slice sat, so that more light was passing through the slice. I only used the white paper to try to get a white b/g, and as you've found, it doesn't really work.
 
Thanks Simon

I think I will have a go with some fruit back lit and also in natural light - the above was taken in the dark!
 
Noticed this thread and realised I had a 'light box' of sorts in the attic (actually for light for SAD - to make up for lack of sunlight etc). So I had a go. Shot in RAW so could play with the WB.

Oranges by ShoeQueen10, on Flickr

So if anyone has a SAD light in their house, try it as a light source. (The one I had folds over on itself, so I used it on its side with one part as the base and the other angled to provide light on top of the subject.)
 
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