SETS AND SETTINGS
If a fl at fabric surface looks uninteresting to the camera,
areas of interest can be created in the fabric. Visual inter-
est is made by soft ridges or movement in the fabric and
by the way the set lighting creates shadows around the
ridges. Th e lighting on your set will be instrumental in
making magic happen with a fabric surface. After the
fabric is ironed, the fi rst thing you do is look at the fabric
from the camera to make certain the iron removed all
unwanted wrinkles. To create slight movement, similar
to ridges on a topographical map, place both of your
clean hands fl at on the fabric in the area where you want
some interest in the surface. Gently press your hands
closer to each other until the fabric bunches slightly.
It might be necessary to put a weight or small heavy
object on diff erent areas of the fabric out of view of
the camera to maintain the ridges. Look from the
camera either by placing your head directly in front of
the lens to view the set or by taking a capture. If you fi nd
the ridges need to be maneuvered, use the same tech-
nique until you are pleased with the appearance. Depend-
ing on your lighting and the angle of light that is hitting
the surface, the ridges will cast a shadow. Th at’s what
creates the interest. Smaller or less puff y ridges cast
smaller shadows. Once you get comfortable with the
process of creating ridges, start practicing to create mul-
tidirectional ridges because they are more interesting
and less distracting.Supplies used to create the full-page dish shot at the
beginning of this chapter:● Arcoroc dishes and fl atware
● Cardinal International glassware
● Hilden International 100% Egyptian cotton table
covering and napkins