How I got the photo: Red velvet cookie

I was recently sent a Hobolite Avant Max and Mini Max to play with, and I really wanted to try them out in the studio. The red velvet cookie was store-bought, but looked good enough for home-made! Here’s how I set the scene.

Setting the scene

I used a white vinyl backdrop and a clear acrylic board over the top (good for reflections). For props, I used some pretty napkins, a cup of coffee in a white mug and a saucer, an enamel jug and dried red hydrangeas. I placed the cookie on a white plate.

• For the Mini Max and Quick Release Softbox (60 x 90cm), I was using the USB power bypass at 40% (max on bypass power, but can be used on the battery as well), on 6400K rather than my normal 5600K. For the Hobolite Avant Max, I used a white dome diffuser and the barn doors. (also on power, but used the mains power instead of the bypass). I love the intuitive design of the light stand holder and the power connection via the clamp. Seriously so simple and easy to work with.

For the lighting, I used the Avant Max LED constant light X2. I positioned my lights a little to the right and left, and angled at 45 degrees from the subject, up high, and angled down. The bottom of the softbox was roughly level with the top of the table (my standard go-to setup).

Camera gear and settings

• Camera: Sony A7R III
• Lens: Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro lens & Tamron 28-75mm lens
• Camera settings: ISO640, f/2.8, 1/320secs (handheld)
• Hobolite Avant Max and Hobolite Quick Release Softbox or Barn Door (included), Hobolite Mini Max

I simply adore how the cookie POPS against the simple white backdrop and white props. I worked my way around the shot, getting in semi-close-up detail with the 90mm macro and then pulling back with the 28mm. The red of the flowers and the cookie is in contrast to the white background. It gave a subtle selective colour-look to the images.

What colors do you like to work with for food shoots like this? Tell us about it in the comments below!

• Posted on November 8, 2024