![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/cfdbe75a-7981-4460-ae19-becf3266473c/3f5d28ca-b35c-4fc1-8c9d-f0e6711434d5_rw_1920.jpg?h=f072fb0e7e8cd7d887334fbc2d57c64f)
On a small table in front of a black background I set up a bowl of strawberries with a tray underneath to catch the falling sugar. Next to it I placed a box (one that I use to store some of my camera accessories in) on top of a book (for correct height). On top of that was a spoon, held in place by a small clamp. Once I put the strawberry on the spoon, however, it became too heavy for the clamp and toppled over, so I had to tape them both in place. Lastly I stuck a cocktail umbrella in the strawberry.
I put my camera on a tripod, my flash gun on another tripod at a 45° angle to the strawberries, and a reflector opposite it (taped to a dining chair).
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/cfdbe75a-7981-4460-ae19-becf3266473c/6290c8a3-47ac-4ae8-9796-c7dc560285e6_rw_1920.jpg?h=36dabf7cbf61ddaa9a524b3ef93af2b6)
I then got my beautiful assistant (my ever-helpful husband) to pour sugar out of a jug. The timing was critical – too much sugar and I ended up with a 'white-out', too little and the photo lacked interest.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/cfdbe75a-7981-4460-ae19-becf3266473c/cc09bef7-d27c-4b05-ba40-35549a9ce57d_rw_1920.jpg?h=eafd120d6ccf3834a4bca28d251a6e82)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/cfdbe75a-7981-4460-ae19-becf3266473c/abe5298d-8446-4d8f-8ae0-b9a1130a5e1e_rw_1920.jpg?h=2e17f346910ce1969bb022e92b0b457b)
In post-processing I cropped the picture to remove the bowl of strawberries (I felt the picture had more impact without it) and adjusted the levels.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/cfdbe75a-7981-4460-ae19-becf3266473c/ba61a4d8-97b8-448d-a267-e1d15a78a6fb_rw_1920.jpg?h=1248de9a3297cd151e53ee64120e15a2)