1. Lighting considerations: On a sunny day, the lighting was too bright, so it was important for me to find balance. We took advantage of the evening hours (the "golden hour") when the light is softer and warmer. If the shoot had taken place at midday, it would have been necessary to look for shade or use reflectors to avoid harsh shadows on the face.

2. Shooting modes:

   - Portrait mode: This is ideal for photographing the model. It creates a beautiful background blur effect, highlighting the subject.

   - HDR mode: I activated this mode to capture more details in both the light and dark areas of the frame.

   - Live Photo: As I wanted to capture more natural moments, I utilised this mode.

3. Technical details:

   - Exposure: I tapped the screen to lock focus and manually adjusted the exposure, reducing brightness to avoid overexposure.

   - Stabilisation: To prevent blurry shots, I used a stabiliser.

   - Model positioning: I paid attention to the composition of the frame—Ukrainian national festive attire looks especially stunning against the backdrop of Irish nature and architecture.

Photography always carries a touch of magic!

1. 1/8000s - 1/4000s: Freezes ultra-fast motion (e.g. water splashes, sports). Needs good light or high ISO.

2. 1/1000s - 1/250s: Perfect for moving objects like cars or running people. Balances clarity and motion.

3. 1/60s - 1/15s: Adds light motion blur, ideal for dynamic shots like rivers or cyclists.

4. 2s - 30s: Long exposures for night photography or creative effects (e.g. light trails). Use a tripod.

Interplay:

- Open aperture (e.g. f/2.8) for more light with faster shutter.

- Increase ISO (e.g. ISO 800+) in low light with faster shutter.

- Narrow aperture (e.g. f/16) or low ISO (e.g. ISO 100) for slower shutter in bright settings.

Key points:

1. Lighting: I used soft, natural light during this photo shoot to emphasise textures and freshness.

2. Composition: I applied the rule of thirds in some instances, kept the background simple, and incorporated props like a vase and flowers that complemented the food for added context.

3. Angles: I selected the most suitable perspectives — arranging the food on plates and capturing side views of the dishes.

4. Depth of Field: A shallow focus (e.g. f/2.8) highlighted key details and vibrant ingredients.

5. Colour and Harmony: I matched the food and props with complementary colours (blue) to enhance visual appeal.