Urban BBQ

For this project, part of the “Professional Lighting for Studio Photography” course on Domestika, I focused on capturing the raw intensity and texture of an urban-style BBQ sandwich. Using advanced lighting techniques learned in the course, I aimed to highlight every layer of flavor, fat, texture, and sauce with a clean and dramatic studio look.

The visual identity of this series is bold and street-inspired. I expanded the project by creating a full video to accompany the photos, integrating dynamic camera movements, fast-paced editing, and a gritty urban soundtrack also composed and produced by me.

Lightroom, Photoshop, After Effects, Ableton Live 11, CapCut, Nikon D7100 and finally a Neewer RGB 530 Pro.

For this shoot, I kept it simple and intentional. I used only one light: a Neewer RGB 530 Pro panel as my key source. I placed it to emphasize texture and contrast, bringing out every detail in the meat and bun without overcomplicating the setup.

I also embraced the practical lights from the restaurant’s kitchen in the background. Their warm reflections added depth and realism to the scene, blending studio technique with real-life atmosphere.

Sometimes, one light is all you need when you know what you’re looking for.