Final Photoshoot Images
- shiraavidan77
- Mar 27, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 6, 2023
During the two parts of my final photoshoot, I have taken 44 images that I think are of high quality (not including others that I didn't like). Yet, it is obvious that I won't be able to use all of these images for my magazine, so I have narrowed them into only 25 final images that have a higher chance of being featured in my magazine! I have also selected the image that I think is the most professional looking for my cover.
Essentially, it was very difficult to pick which images I wanted to use out of all of the images I photographed: I believe that most of my images were visually appealing and unique. However, I eventually decided on my final images, which are demonstrated below.
Final Images
• process of making a sushi boat •
Photographing most of these images was quite simple: I would simply take a photo during the steps I thought were most relevant in the process of making a sushi boat. However, some images were definitely trickier to photograph and required more effort. These images are described below.
Example #1: The chef was quickly moving the sushi rolls from the counter onto the sushi boat, so it was hard to photograph him at the right moment when the sushi wasn't blurry. Therefore, I ended up with many images that were of poor quality, as shown in the image on the right. However, some images were not as blurry, like the image on the left.
✅ ❎
Example #2: Once again, the chef was moving very quickly while pouring the three sauces, so the pictures below were also somewhat difficult to photograph. Therefore, while I was able to photograph pictures of the three sauces, I also ended up with numerous images that were either blurry or were taken when the chef wasn't pouring the sauce.
✅ ✅ ✅
❎ ❎ ❎ ❎ ❎
• final product •
Photographing the two images above—especially the first one—was relatively challenging:
The sushi boat is very large, hence why it was hard to position my camera appropriately without leaving parts of the boat out of the frame.
It was hard to position my camera at a certain angle where all of the sushi rolls' details were visible.
MAIN CHALLENGE: After disliking the original background of these images (restaurant table), I struggled to find another "better" background as I had very limited options in the restaurant!
However, I found a VERY efficient solution!👏🎉
⬇
As I had no other option than to photograph the images on the unappealing restaurant table, I decided that it would be more efficient to simply remove the background rather than attempt to find another background. To quickly and easily remove the background of my images, I used a new feature from my Apple iPhone's iOS 16 software update—a background removal tool that operates on the Photos app! All I had to do was tap the subject in my photo, hold it for a second or two, and that was it...my subject was automatically separated from my background! Who knew creating transparent photos could be so easy?
• chef's favorite dish •
After truly realizing how efficient the previous tool was, I decided to use it again in the image below! Honestly, I believe that Apple does a better job than most online removing background tools, especially since my final images came out perfectly!
NOTE: The rest of the images with no background are used with this feature.
• ingredients for tuna tartare •
I picked these images rather than the previous photos with a lower angle since I think it showcases the details of the dish much more!
While uploading these images, I realized that I really like this image layout, so I may use it in my double-page spread! As the main ingredient, I like how the image of the tuna takes up a majority of the layout in contrast to the other smaller ingredients.
• Process of making tuna tartare •
I will most likely put these images on the right side of my double-page spread as part of my hand is cropped out!
For the image to the left, I used the burst mode on my iPhone camera, which I thought would allow me to efficiently capture a high-quality photo of a moving subject (in this case, the sesame seeds falling). However, I originally was not as successful with this tool as I encountered several challenges during the process, which are demonstrated below.
CHALLENGE #1: As I was originally inexperienced with using the burst tool, I was unaware on how to properly use it. Therefore, during my first try, I accidentally took a video instead!
❎
CHALLENGE #2: Then, I pressed the burst button too early, so I couldn't capture the ingredient pouring out of the bowl!
❎
CHALLENGE #3: As I wasn't already experiencing enough challenges with the burst tool, I then pressed the burst button too late!!
❎
CHALLENGE #4: I only had one ingredient left, so this was my last chance to use the burst mode!! However, I finally pressed it at the perfect time–not too late and not too early.
✅
• Final product •
As made evident in the first two photos, I took two variations of the same dish: an overhead shot (image to the left) and a shot with a slightly lower angle (middle image). However, I prefer the middle image as it appears less flat and more realistic, so I considered it one of my final images!
Not final image
Cover Choice
I chose this image as my cover image since it is the only image that has a LARGE AMOUNT OF EMPTY WHITE SPACE that could be used for my masthead, cover lines, etc. I also think the fish and the intricate details of the dish are PERFECTLY AND EQUALLY VISIBLE.
what I gained from this experience
This photoshoot was by far my favorite photoshoot I have completed throughout this course; it was not only a fun experience but also a learning experience!
First of all, I am most excited that I learned how to properly use a light box–a piece of equipment I have never used prior to conducting my photoshoots. After taking photos of the same dish in and out of the light box, I clearly observed that the photos in the light box had brighter and higher-quality lighting. Therefore, using this piece of equipment showed me an explicit example of how light plays such a major role in the appearance of photos. I can even implement this knowledge when taking photos beyond this course! For instance, if I ever have to take a photo of an object against a monochromatic background, I will use the light box!
As previously stated, I also had a lot of fun: taking pictures, let alone conducting an interview, was a new experience for me! Plus, as someone who really likes sushi, I thought it was fascinating to see how it is made!
SUCCESFUL IMAGES?
I am very proud of the images I took: most of them have good lighting, good composition, and are unique! I think I was able to be successful due to my extensive planning prior to my photoshoots, which allowed me to carefully organize my photoshoot plans to reduce stress. For instance, after I laid out my initial ideas for my photoshoot, I identified any potential challenges and flaws, which allowed me to brainstorm other ideas and backup plans to correct them before they became too impossible to manage. I also planned with a shot list, but I don't think it was as helpful as expected. In fact, while creating it, I was unaware of what images I wanted to shoot since I didn't know which chef I would interview, what dishes my family would order at the restaurant, whether I would be able to enter the kitchen, and what dish I would recreate at home. While having this uncertainty made it hard to effectively plan for my final photoshoots, I think the shot list was still beneficial for planning certain shots and angles.
issues and solutions
1. Issues
Below are the issues I projected to encounter during my photoshoots while planning my location and set, along with the images I actually encountered.
❎ = Issues I did NOT face during photoshoots ✅ = Issues I DID face during photoshoots
1. NOT BEING ALLOWED INTO ------> 1. NOT BEING ALLOWED INTO
THE KITCHEN (Restaurant) ✅ THE KITCHEN (Restaurant)
2. NOT BEING CREATIVE WITH 2. NOT BEING CREATIVE WITH
BACKGROUNDS (Restaurant and Home) ✅ ------> BACKGROUNDS (Restaurant and Home)
3. HARDER TO CONTROL THE 3. USING THE BURST TOOL AT
PLATING OF DISHES (Restaurant) ❎ WRONG TIME (Home)
4. BUSY SETTING (Restaurant) ❎ 4. BLURRY PICTURES (Restaurant)
I can definitely say that this photoshoot ran smoothly: expecting to encounter four issues in my photoshoots, I only encountered half of them (issue #1 and issue #2)—not being allowed into the restaurant's kitchen and not being creative enough with backgrounds. However, after taking high-quality photos with a sushi chef outside of the kitchen, I don't even think I would consider not being allowed into the kitchen as an issue!
2. Solutions
Despite experiencing several challenges throughout this process, including not being creative with backgrounds, blurry pictures, and using the burst tool at the wrong time, I think I was able to effectively work around these problems by proposing proper solutions.
1. NOT BEING CREATIVE WITH 2. BLURRY
BACKGROUNDS PICTURES
I used Apple's automatic background I used trial and error until I took the
removal tool. shot at the best time.
3. USING THE BURST TOOL AT THE WRONG TIME
I used trial and error until I clicked the burst button at the right time.
Comments