A look at some of my earliest recipe posts harkens only one word for the photos you’ll find within them … dreadful. Absolutely, positively, 100% dreadful. “Point and shoot” defined my photography skills, and the concept of lighting wasn’t even a thought.
As my blogging has matured, so has my photography. But, we’re all our own worst critics and in my eyes, there is much more room for improvement, which is why I’ve designated 2012 as “the year Rhubarb and Honey learns to take really great food photos.”
Before I go further, let me tell you what camera and lenses I’m currently use. First, I have an Olympus PEN E-P1 interchangeable lens digital camera with a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) mount and a 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko digital zoom lens.
I’ve always had Olympus cameras and really enjoyed using them, so when I decided to move on from my point and shoot, I looked to Olympus and was very happy with what I found in the Olympus PEN E-P1. It’s smaller and lighter than most DSLRs and almost any lens can be used on MFT camera bodies with a proper adapter … plus, let’s be honest, the retro look of the camera is pretty cool too (and yes, it was a deciding factor for me in purchasing). I tote this camera everywhere, using it in day-to-day shooting and when traveling, and I’ve been very happy with the photos it produces.
(In addition to the above mentioned lens, I also use a Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm telephoto lens for wildlife and landscape photography. I haven’t used this lens for food photography, but if anyone has tips and tricks for doing so, I’m all ears.)
Now, back to making 2012 the year Rhubarb and Honey learns to take really great food photos.
One of the most important aspects of food photography is lighting, and some say it is the number one aspect in getting great food photos. While our new house has some good natural light, it is best during the late morning and early afternoon, but I often take most of my photos in the evening since my pesky day job tends to get in the way. So, what’s a food blogger to do? Thank her husband for buying her an awesome lighting kit (and Adobe Photoshop CS5!) for Christmas. Yep, he’s a good egg … I think I’ll keep him.
So, now that I have all this equipment, what’s next? Practice, practice, practice!
There are a number of great tutorials and websites on the Internet that provide lots of tips and tricks on taking great food photos so if you’re interested in improving your food photography skills, here what I’m reading:
- Food Photography – An Introduction (Digital Photography School)
- Food Photography – A Natural Approach (Katherine Martinelli)
- Food Photography for Bloggers (Vegan Yum Yum)
- Food Photography Set Up (Wrightfood)
- Food Photography Tips (101 Cookbooks)
- Food Photography Techniques and Tips (Digital Photography School; guest post by J. Pollack Photography)
- Food Styling and Photography (6 Bittersweets)
- 10 Food Styling Tips to Make Any Food Photo Look Appealing (Learn Food Photography)
Oh, and be sure to check out these great food photography blogs for inspiration:
- 101 Cookbooks
- Beyond The Plate
- La Tartine Gourmande
- Seven Spoons
- Shoot to Cook
- What Katie Ate
- Wright Food
Happy Shooting!
