How I got the photo: Chocolate brownies (Part Two)

I recently posted how I got the shot of these yummy chocolate brownies. While I had everything set up, I figured I would replicate the shot without all the high-tech gear, just some simple lights and my mobile phone.

Background and props

• White acrylic (perspex) sheet, but you could use white project paper
• Small white cake stand
• Red (fake) berries
• Brownies, mine are store-bought, but you can make themself

Camera and lighting gear

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• Samsung S21 — Samsung Camera — Lightroom Mobile, Pro Mode
• Adaptalux Lighting kit

Post processing

.mgl-tiles { display: none; } #mgl-gallery-63933eb0b4812 { margin: -2.5px; width: calc(100% + 5px); } #mgl-gallery-63933eb0b4812 .mgl-box { padding: 2.5px; } @media screen and (max-width: 768px) { #mgl-gallery-63933eb0b4812 { margin: -2.5px; width: calc(100% + 5px); } #mgl-gallery-63933eb0b4812 .mgl-box { padding: 2.5px; } } @media screen and (max-width: 460px) { #mgl-gallery-63933eb0b4812 { margin: -2.5px; width: calc(100% + 5px); } #mgl-gallery-63933eb0b4812 .mgl-box { padding: 2.5px; } }

One of the cool things about shooting on your mobile with Lightroom, it you can edit right there on your phone, I cropped and added a preset FD02 from the Lightroom presets.

.mgl-tiles { display: none; } #mgl-gallery-63933eb0b546d { margin: -2.5px; width: calc(100% + 5px); } #mgl-gallery-63933eb0b546d .mgl-box { padding: 2.5px; } @media screen and (max-width: 768px) { #mgl-gallery-63933eb0b546d { margin: -2.5px; width: calc(100% + 5px); } #mgl-gallery-63933eb0b546d .mgl-box { padding: 2.5px; } } @media screen and (max-width: 460px) { #mgl-gallery-63933eb0b546d { margin: -2.5px; width: calc(100% + 5px); } #mgl-gallery-63933eb0b546d .mgl-box { padding: 2.5px; } }

What’s better — Mirrorless or mobile?

While I can’t argue I got better shots from the mirrorless camera, they are pretty good from my old Samsung phone. The new S22 and Apple equivalent do a MUCH better job. It’s also possible if mine hadn’t been dropped as many times as it was the photos would be better (oops). The key to great mobile photos is lots of light. Even with the Adaptalux lights, it was still pretty dark. I also found more variations in white balance than on my mirrorless camera. Weird, but true. I also found the images a little grainy, mostly due to the poor ambient light.

Verdict

If you have all the high-tech gear, why not use it? But if you don’t, well there are ALWAYS options to still get some great shots with your mobile phone too. Just remember to allow enough light.