Remake from Gourmet traveller
Today I decided it was finally time to do the second remake of the SLW: photo remakes Flickr group. The first one was a remake of Lara’s own photos and was not so complicated as this particular one.
I love doing these things as it gives me the chance to really think about how a scene was lighted and how I can recreate that same feeling. I am looking forward to doing many more!
For this particular shot I had to first analyze where the light originally was coming from and how they placed all the various elements in the photo as styling is crucial here. Ofcourse I didn’t have the same items, but I chose the ones closest to the original. In the Flickr group it is allowed to make changes to the original version, but I always find it a bigger challenge to try and make it look exactly the same. That is the only way that I feel I’ve given myself the greatest challenge for this particular photo.
Original vs the remake
Above you can see the original next to my version… The shadows on the original are a little more pronounced and the pasta looks more appetizing but overall I am quite pleased with the final result. I didn’t make actual pasta (that is why it looks so bland) as I wanted to really only focus on the photography and not on making the dish. I wanted to use tomato sauce or ketchup or something similar to get the pasta to look a bit reddish but I took the shots in the studio, so I forgot to bring the tomato stuff… Instead I colored it slightly with balsamic and chili sauce… 
Good thing I didn’t have to eat it!!
I lit the scene with one Bowens Gemini 500 with softbox from behind the subject and above. I initially used a second light from the left but I didn’t like the brighly lit scene I got from that. It wasn’t a huge difference but
With additional light
I thought the heavier shadows made the shot look more rustic.
I am not even sure you can really see the difference in the small photo on the left, but it is most obvious on the left plate. Anyway, I had a lot of fun playing around with the lighting and the composition. Having different sized items can make it a bit harder to achieve the same result, but I think the plates where close enough. The only oval plate I have is tiny and that wouldn’t have worked here.
Can’t wait to see what will be next!
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Like I said earlier, I think you did fantastic with this! I envy that table surface.
Well done, Simone!! Like allways!!
You did great! Love that table too!
Thanks!! Yes, I love that table too… I used to be in our kitchen but was really too big, so now it’s in my studio… It’s made from old floorboards.
It looks great! I’m a new blogger and a major noob amateur photographer, so I signed up for the SLW Remake group, thinking it would help my skills. Of course, this first one since I’ve signed up is fairly difficult! Last month’s was just a stack of cookies! lol. So, I did actually make the recipe in anticipation of attempting this remake, but I chickened out. I still have the rest of the month though, so I might give it another go. Since I don’t have any soft boxes or anything, it’s the lighting that’s giving me fits.
As usual, your photo looks awesome! Thanks for inspiring us noobies!
Thanks Digigirl! O, come on, don’t chicken out! I think daylight from behind the table will also be possible, but you will have to make sure you adjust your exposure…
Can’t wait to see your results!
Love the results. That table is great for food photography.
That group is a great idea. I’ve signed up and will try to remake that picture, but I don’t think I have anything similar to do it with (table, plates)I’ll see what I can come up with
Great picture, btw.
I definitely agree that it looks richer with just the softbox. Love all the textures – you lucky people with the space for lovely, rustic wooden tables!
Oh wow Simone, the single softbox worked wonders! What sized softbox did you use? The even lighting and shadow play are geat, and the colours & texture are all from such a wonderfully rich pallette
Your photography always STUNS me! Ok, so reading this post reminded me of the not one, but two things that I had to tell you. The first one, I forgot already, on to the second one… I was at the book store the other day and ran across what I thought was a new Donna Hay mag. and picked it up. Little did I know that it was the Christmas one and my bookstore needs to update their stock. But I did run across that great remake photo of the beans and ricotta that you did and it made me smile. I now consider it a good thing they have a restocking problem. I guess that wasn’t really something that I needed to tell you, I just thought it was neat. Also, where can I find that photo of the flowers that you were going to let me paint? I finally got out my canvas today but couldn’t find it.
Anyways, another long comment. I’m going to Toronto this weekend to visit my family so I guess I have to get in all my comment rants. Have a good weekend!
Thanks Ben, zested, Helene, Ian and Christie!
How fun that you found the Donna Hay mag with the ricotta and beansalad!! Have a great weekend and have fun in Toronto!
Ben, can’t wait to see your version of this photo! It’s definitely a great group as it makes you think about the lighting!
Ian, I’ve used a standard softbox; I’m not sure about the size though. What would it be? Something like 100 cm x 80 cm or something along those lines.
Christie, I just send the flower photo to you in high resolution via email. I hope you get it allright as it’s rather large…
I have a dream….a studio with proper lights..the works.We are entering winter and it is getting harder and harder to rely on the natural light!! Stunning photos!!
I always marvel at your photos, but this is extraordinary! I mean, how can you make a photo look exactly the same? My problem is usually the props. I guess you have access to some professional equipment…
Thanks Jo! To be quite honest I think it was just a lucky coincidence that made me have the same props (well, almost the same) as in the original photo. I have this lovely old wooden table, so that made it easier as that is also the main part of the original. It was fun to do though!
this photo is spot on! amazing. I’m hoping to give it a try in the coming week. I,like others, have no softboxes and will have to rely on natural light
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