When I started this series on food photography….I was like no idea that there is lot’s and lot’s to be discussed on this subject….Food photography is every food blogger’s passion and recently everyone are hooked to click good pictures…..Food photography is a topic of utmost discussion when you meet fellow food bloggers….starting from camera to lenses to plates, cutlery, backgrounds, props and much more…An online school can help teach photography techniques to share with others….Till now we have seen how improve our food photography even though we are not having an DSLR. As I am not a user of DSLR…I always made it a point to my guest post authors to make a post which can be understandable to point and Shoot Camera users….
Here is yet another fabulous post concentrating on tips and styling of food photography…. coming from very charming Sandhya….popularly known as Sandy….Sandhya’s Kitchen is an virtual treat where she shares her passion for cooking and clicking…..When I asked Sandy to make a guest post on food photography she was busy with her packing and shopping as she was going on a vacation….but once she is back from vacation she promised me that she will make a post…Thank you so much for keeping the promise and bestowing your tips and tricks on Food Photography….Scroll down to see what Sandy has to say……
Hiya ….
I was quite overwhelmed when Lubna of Yummy Food offered me to do a guest post .. Then when I went on to read the second bit… reading “ Food Photography” .. I was dumbstruck… thinking can I write one ? I grabbed the opportunity readily but told Lubna , It would be after a few months… I m quite grateful to her for being patient with me….
Let me first say .. I m an absolute amateur , no specialist and just learning every day … Practice ,Practice and Practice is all I would say … Leave no stone unturned to click the best picture…Need not b food , it could be scenic or a portrait or your little one. My pictures have been really horrid if ever you glance at my blog at my initial days.. And I used to b extremely pleased with them thinking that this is one of the best picture .. We get better with every post.. Don’t you ?? Am sure this would b the scenario with many of us… But as and when I started spending more time working on my pictures , I am learning to improve my deficit areas …Our delicious tasting food needs to be transformed into an appealing professional picture .
Few thumb rules that I follow :
Light is everything all about. Be it P&S or DSLR .. pictures clicked in day light speaks a thousand words. Use natural Light.
No Flash please…..
Less is more … Uncluttered pictures grabs attention….
Click until you lose your back … I used to click anywhere between 100 –120 pictures earlier.. Now there is a slight improvement in the number.. Pre plan the table layout in mind ,decide on co-ordinates like background , napkins ,cutlery , plates & food and click an approx. of 25- 50 pics.
Don’t hesitate in post processing your pictures if it requires to.. Its no crime !!!
PROPS:
A good prop can make or break an image .. Prep plan your food and co-ordinates. Even though we plan to blur the background and concentrate on the subject , props matter a lot.
- Use what you have got .. Look around the house , we definitely have basic props in our kitchen. White plates , bowls of different colors ,Cutlery ,Few Napkins , table runners , wooden chopping boards, kitchen linen, table cloth ,muffin cases , baking tins & trays, ribbons from presents , present papers & more..
If you dissect the above picture with me , I have used
- 2 glasses
- a wooden board – this is my little ones puzzle board
- coir mat is from my withered grocery bag
- white background is a white bed sheet
- Source : ASK Friends, Neighbours & Family … if ever they plan to dump Cutlery / Kitchen stuff , to call u first… For get together’s, make sure to pick loveliest of the napkins… and save some for your blog.. CHeeky isn’t it?
- Visit Recycle yard and grab wood pieces.. They throw a rustic effect .The picture below is an example from my timber background . Props used below is a White tea towel with blue stripes . blue napkin , white plates & forks.
- Experiment with different background linen , textures , colors
- For reflectors , use thermocols from packing or use your white throw /sheets and support it with large pillows .. ( not kidding at all) .. The cheapest option to buy I will suggest is buying foam boards.
BACKGROUNDS:
Backgrounds create quite a theatrical effect to your pictures…Sometimes we concentrate on clicking the main subject , that we forget the soo called visual noise . Pay attention on clearing the distractive backgrounds while getting ready for the picture shoot..
Two Type of backgrounds go in any picture .They are of the supportive kind and distractive backgrounds… Supportive backgrounds just gel with the main food. It enhances the presence of the main subject.
TIPS FOR A SUPPORTIVE BACKGROUND :
- Using the same food in the background ( See image 2 )
- Shallow Depth of Field. (shallow depth of field is when the foreground is in sharp focus and the background is blurry).
- Dark sheets under white plates or vice versa
- Raw food , Herbs
Something ABOUT DISTRACTIVE BACKGROUND :
- Contrast Backgrounds that grabs attention and distracts the main subject. Black sheet is quite distractive with respect to the main food.
- Wrong Backgrounds make the main subject ( i.e. the food to be showcased ) weak .
- Objects that do not co-ordinate with the main subject contribute to a distractive background. The little coloured cups in this picture below just don’t match with mango cake … and are grabbing attention.. .SO its a distractive background.
What are we waiting for ?? Lets dive in and reap the boundless gain after clicking the portfolio shot….
Enjoying the scrumptious meal that has been in the limelight !!!
Above all , Experiment & Feel free to shoot your pictures with self taught experiences ….
Reference:
E book by http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/ and Plate to Pixel
You can find Sandhya @ Blog and Facebook
If you have missed any of the entry under this series, then you can check by clicking on Food Photography and Styling (Season 1).
Hari Chandana says
I love Sandhya's blog and I was so thrilled to see her guest article here.. Very helpful post.. Thank you 🙂Indian Cuisine
Raji says
Superb guest post..I am always smitten by Sandhya's neat pictures..and she has described the points with so much simplicity. Loving your guest post series Lubna.
Chitra says
Very useful series lubna. Even u can share ur ideas on ur photography and editing 🙂 U r also a pro in this 🙂
Pari says
Good write up Sandhya and thanks for posting it, Lubna.FOODELICIOUS EVENT FOR DECEMBER & GIVEAWAY, ‘ONLY’- COOKIES & CAKES
Sandhya Hariharan says
thank you lubna for having me over….
Sarah says
i love this series Lubna! I love reading through all the tips and tricks from the experts 🙂 thanks Sandhya for the interesting post. I never really thought much about distractive backgrounds until now 🙂
Priti says
Very nice post and gud tips ..thanks to you n Sandy ..
Spandana says
Very helpful post!! Thanks for sharing!!
Anisha says
A very informative post.
Raksha says
nice guest post on food photography.
notyet100 says
Thanks ,very nicely written,..
Raksha says
Do participate in the Desserts with Coconuts event and giveaway on my blog.http://rakshaskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/12/announcing-my-first-event-and-giveaway.html
Anjali Shukla says
That's a wonderful post…extremely helpful to amateur photographers like me… 🙂
Priya says
Beautifully written and enjoyed going through,beautiful guest post.
Babli says
Wonderful and informative post. Thanks for sharing it.
Archana says
Thanks a lot. I am not buying the DSLr I was planning if you can get these lovely pics with point and shoot. Just will practice with the tips given here.
Deeps @ Naughty Curry says
Loved reading this post, Very informative, especially for someon like me who has just started blogging 🙂
myrtle says
OH my! That was so tempting.=D
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