You all massively voted for the new topic FRUIT. When searching for experts in this field we noticed 2 different kinds of fruit-photography. That’s why we deliberately left out all fruit splashing in/poured over with water. We believe this is an art on its own and we will offer this option in one of the coming polls.
We want to thank everyone who contributed to this feature and everyone who voted for our poll. We hope you enjoy this and vote again in our new poll for the topic of next month!

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MatthewPaver

- How did you start with this kind of pictures? What was your inspiration?
I started with searching some inspiration from many deviants with their exploration of colours, lighting and angles. From the moment I had the feeling what was expected in this type of photography, I began to explore the possibilities of individual fruits and then fruits with other objects such as a knife.
I wanted to explore pieces of fruit in a way most people cannot. When does anyone ever bring a sliced lemon 1 inch from their eye? Probably never, so I wanted to take photos of fruit in this way.
- What is your favourite kind of fruit to take pictures of?
My favourites so far are kiwis.
- Do you prefer to work with slices, pieces or whole pieces of fruit? If you work with slices, what thickness is best?
I like slices best as they are the most versatile. I try to cut them to be no more than 2-3mm thin. This makes sure that they are thick enough to still retain some strength to stay whole, but at the same time let enough light through to show details.
- How does your setup looks like? camera, lenses, tripod, ...
Basically, I have built my own light tent to control lighting, backgrounds and props. That allows me to take the photos in the way I want.
Nikon D700, Nikkor 50mm 1.4f lens used with 1, 2 and 3x extension tubes, Manfrotto 055xprob tripod with Manfrotto 410 3-way head. I'm saving up for a sigma 105mm macro lens so I don't have to use the extensions tubes. They are very restrictive in that they severely decrease light transmission, have an incredibly small depth of field and at high magnifications can cause cloudiness in the centre of pictures.
- Do you work with flashes?
Occasionally. I try to use natural light where possible but sometimes use the built-in D700 flash. However, this is primarily because I don't have enough money to invest in a real flash (or two). As soon as I do I fully intend to use them in macro work.
- Do you work with an automatic trigger?
No. Again, I'm limited by funds and resort to using a wired trigger for things like water drops. For normal pictures of static objects, I just go handheld or use the remote release when I'm zoomed in quite close.
- Any extra tips?
Have patience and experiment. Your kitchen, bathroom, living room etc... can look pretty silly to other people when you have all of this stuff hanging everywhere, but the results are magnificent sometimes. How else can you personally view the smallest details of objects such as the inside of a rose (stamen etc)?

Some deviations from MatthewPaver:

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Duhnali

- How did you start with this kind of pictures? What was your inspiration?
Just after not seeing enough pictures of fruit in a simple setting and my inspiration was natural colors and textures, so where do you go for nature's colored and textured object: FRUIT!
- What is your favourite kind of fruit to take pictures of?
By far my favourite was the kiwi because of its interior texture and shape. Watermelon was close to be second.
- Do you prefer to work with slices, pieces or whole pieces of fruit? If you work with slices, what thickness is best?
I dislike slices. Even though I have taken pictures of sliced fruit before, I just like the whole fruit being fully natural, not tampered by humans.
- How does your setup looks like? camera, lenses, tripod, ...
My set up is quite basic, for now it’s an average point and shoot camera (saving up for a Nikon D40). For lighting I use a large construction halogen shining outside of my DIY lightbox which is just a cardboard box with tracing paper replacing 3 of the sides and a white cardstock for the "infinity sweep" background. I sometimes use a tripod, but for really getting up close to the fruit I like to use my hands and a high shutter speed.
- Do you work with flashes?
I personally am against flashes. If I can't adjust the light with the shutter or aperture, then I choose a brighter light.
- Do you work with an automatic trigger?
No.
- Any extra tips?
No.

Some deviations from Duhnali:

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EfvonIks

- How did you start with this kind of pictures? What was your inspiration?
It was last summer and I got my new Canon Eos camera. So I was taking pictures of everything I got in front of my lens. I've done some pictures in the past of fruits, so I nearly knew how they can look like.
- What is your favourite kind of fruit to take pictures of?
Berries, Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries...
- Do you prefer to work with slices, pieces or whole pieces of fruit? If you work with slices, what thickness is best?
With Berries I prefer to work with the whole fruit. At most of the pictures I use some more fruits to get them at the background. When I'm working with bigger fruits like, Lemons, Limes, Apples s.o. I prefer to work with pieces.
- How does your setup looks like? camera, lenses, tripod, ...
I use a Canon EOS 40D, my Sigma 105mm Macro, sometimes a tripod, when I'm working inside (outside always freehand). If it's possible I use my Speedlite 540Ez extension flashlight, but sometimes it is not possible because I'm so close to the object. Then I use a 150-300W halogen bulb lamp.
- Do you work with flashes?
Sure, most of the time. Only when I'm some centimeters away from the object, it's not possible, because it will create a shadow.
- Do you work with an automatic trigger?
No. I'm always using the manual trigger to get the best aperture.
- Any extra tips?
When you are using pieces or slices of fruits, they have to be really fresh. When it's warm, the fruit can change within 5 minutes and doesn't look fresh enough.

Some deviations from EfvonIks:

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Some deviations from other artists:

i-shadow




SugarBunnies16




JupiterArt

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More Macro and Close-up photography on