As some of you may know I'm a very amateur food photographer. Since I have no formal education it's been a very long trial and error trip for me. I end up doing a lot of post production. Basically what I currently have to work with at work are 4 2'x2' soft boxes (3 tripods and 1 overhead stand), multiple hand held bulb lights and mirrors to get the shine in the right spot. I have a very crappy white cloth that I hold up with 2 crappy tripods for a backdrop. Everywhere I've ever looked online says to never light from the front, but I don't have the best soft boxes to get a general light. I use just a Canon Rebel XSi. I have a 55-250 f/4-5.6, 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 and a macro 100mm f/2.8 to work with.

We're currently working on the end of the year budget and it's time for me to put in requests for what I want/need. Are there any lights you would recommend for plate shots (I rarely do table scenes, because the photos end up getting clipped and put on package design), any particular lens or anything you feel would benefit me? I like the end product of the 100mm f/2.8, but I'm going to need something with zoom. I don't know, but I might be able to get the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L, but not positive if they're willing to spend this much..Is it even necessary? Would it be a shame to even use such a good lens on a canon rebel xsi? What's the next best camera upgrade? How much are flashes linked to the camera with remotes? Any sites to recommend for backdrops? I need a nice 6'-8' roll of a white gloss that can be wiped off.

I will honestly love anyone so much that helps me out. I just need some direction. I think my budget could max out around 3k, but I would have to justify every purchase.

Here are a couple examples.. I know the lighting and shadows probably don't look the best, but I'm trying to improve. Also, neither have been cropped.
http://imgf.tw/209647232.jpg
http://imgf.tw/363068670.jpg

This post was edited by ericswanson_19 on Sep 22 2011 02:15pm

Not sure on which lights exactly but the cheaper you go the less colour accurate they will be.

As for lenses, I would highly recommend a 90mm TSE

This post was edited by lithfkn on Sep 22 2011 02:51pm

I forgot to mention I only have till Monday. I was only informed about the possible upgrades this morning. I think I found my backdrop finally.



I don't know if I would maximize the potential of such a lens with food photography. Like I said I don't really get the opportunity for full table shots. I usually have to clip them, so a sharp plate edge is what I usually end up doing.

Would it still produce high quality images on my canon rebel xsi? If I were to upgrade my camera just a little bit what canon camera should I get and why? Thank you in advance.

IMO since you don't have to worry about low light photography or frame rate, you should focus on getting better lenses instead of a new body.

Thanks. That would be ideal.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM.. Any comments on this lens? I think the zoom and the close range, plus f/2.8 sound like the best option for me so far.

I also like the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM.

This post was edited by ericswanson_19 on Sep 22 2011 03:29pm

The TSE will vastly improve your ability to alter and control DOF both ways, regardless it's on white or a full table spread. When I was in Uni we shot a lot of still life on 4x5 rail cameras which used the same principles as the TSE (although with a lot more control)

It will be fine on your XSI but remember 90mm will equal 140-150mm so there is a lot of compression and you will be standing back from the shot quite a bit.

Make sure you shoot raw

If you were to get an upgrade then the only option would be a 5d II

You won't be zooming though, you will always be at 55mm. To get natural compression you would want at least 80mm (FF length)

I still recommend a TSE!

Maybe a 45mm will work on a crop body.. but I think it could be a little short :/

used 5d II + a used 24-70L 2.8

that's within your 3k budget

you'll want to get in line to make sweet love to me afterwards.

There's a new 24-70 coming out apparently

Get a 5d II and a 90mm TSE, you will not regret it

I ran into the being too far back problem with the 100mm f/2.8 at work. It's quite a hassle to have to have a tripod's height maxed out and standing on a chair every few seconds/minutes. I don't always have someone to help with lighting, so sometimes I end up holding lights while taking the photos. I could clip on lights, but that's also inconvenient when I'm adjusting the shot or have multiple plate shots. Also, I really don't have adequate lighting, so standing further back makes them even darker.

Also, regarding the TSE, what I mean about shooting on white is that I end up clipping the plate a lot and clipping a blurred edge plate isn't always the look I'm going for and takes time to do.

Any other lens suggestions that haven't been mentioned? Any light suggestions? I need something better to light the whole room and then I'll use other lights for more dramatic shadows.