5 Ways to Improve Your Food Photography

I don't know about you, but whenever I'm about to bite into something succulent and to die for, I always have the urge to whip out my camera and take a shot of it first. To preserve the memory of its beauty, its succulence, its perfection. And then I can chow down happily, with no regrets for destroying something so beautiful.

Done hastily, food photos can be disappointing. And I'm not a food photographer, so please don't assume I'm the last authority on the subject. But I do love photos of my food, and these are a few things that have worked for me.

1. SIMPLIFY. This goes in every kind of photography. I don't care what's in front of your lens. If it's in the frame, is it necessary? Absolutely necessary? No? Then get rid of it. And don't think Photoshop will help you. What you might be able to do in 30 minutes in Photoshop, you can do now in 30 seconds. So clean up.

2. LOOK AT THE LIGHT. Where is your light source? The best and easiest light to use for food is window light, the bigger the window the better, and you want the window off to one side of your food so you get some highlight and shadow patterns to give the food some shape and texture. You can also play with a bit of backlight, but make sure it's not distracting from the food.

3. LOOK AT THE BACKGROUND. Is it harmonizing with your food or is it distracting or clashing? If it's not helping, try a different background. Placemats, tablecloths, cutting boards, all of these can help improve or change up your background. Remember number one - the most important thing about your background is that it must be simple.

4. KEEP IT LIGHT. Dark food is less appealing than bright, fresh-looking food. If you have manual control over your camera, you might want to overexpose a touch.

5. CHECK YOUR COLOR BALANCE. There's nothing worse than a beautiful photo of beautiful food that is all blue. Or all yellow. Play with your white balance to get the best setting. Unlike in portraiture where having a color cast can be moody or cool, with food it's usually unappetizing.

Ok, so there you go. 5 basic tips for making the most of your food shots. What about you? Any tips you've found helpful? Anything you've eaten that you wish you'd photographed before it was gone?

Mouseover Friday - Mom

Sometimes there are images where I'm just torn between the color and the black and white. Take this one, for example, which I'm enjoying. I love taking portraits with the 35mm because it gives the subject some space in the frame, even when I'm close enough to interact with them normally. I've realized that I don't like taking pictures of people when I'm more than a few feet away from them - I feel like we're not connected. Having a conversation is more strained. And I'm all about the conversation, because it calms me down as much as it calms the lucky people in front of my lens.

Anyway, the 35mm is hitting my sweet spot today. And regardless of lens I'm glad I asked to take this photo of my dear mother when we were at a German (Austrian?) cafe with huge windows and the light was just perfect.

You can never have too many photos of the people who are important to you. 

Mouse over to see this in black and white.

Thanks for the coffee, Mom. Hope you like the picture.

A Perfect Caprese Salad

I've always been enamored of tomatoes. Their roundness, their softness. Their surprises. Sometimes sweet, sometimes acid, sometimes a perfect balance of the two. Growing up, I drove my mother crazy by eating all the cherry tomatoes she had reserved for salad. In my defense, they do make a great snack. Just mouthful size, there's a satisfying pop when you break the skin, and then the juices fill your mouth. Mmmmm . . .

And this time of year . . . it's tomato heaven. The markets are full of gorgeous San Marzanos, Early Girls, and my favorites, heirlooms. In all their strange multi-colored, slightly misshapen glory. Whatever variety you choose, a caprese salad is a great way to use them. The smooth creaminess of the fresh mozzarella contrasts with the acid bite of the tomatoes, and basil makes it heavenly. If you're a traditionalist, you'll finish your salad with some good olive oil, but if you're a renegade like me you'll spoon a touch of balsamic vinegar over each one. The older and thicker the vinegar, the better.

Enjoy! And tell me all about it .

Building in a Building

Sorry I've been MIA. It's a quick post tonight, I'll have more for you tomorrow.

Moving!

I apologize for being away from the blog - I've been as busy as the proverbial bee. Evan and I are finally moving out of our two-room, raccoon-friendly abode into something more livable. And can I just say I am walking on air? It's soooooo lovely. I feel like I'm staying in a hotel, except that Evan always looks at me funny when I try to order room service.

So, I'll be back to more full time blogging soon. Until then, enjoy the flowers.

Calling

Another tilt-shift photo. I'm working on it. 

How do you know what's your calling? It seems like an old-fashioned concept. These days many people bounce from job to job throughout their lives, looking for new challenges or better pay. Maybe just something different.


I was watching an old episode of Twit Photo (like, a month old. And yes, that's the name of the show. No funning.) with Zack Arias, and I loved some of what he had to say. A couple of things he said, and I quote: "Photography calls many, but chooses few. [If you want to be in the photography business,] just make great photographs. Keep it clean, keep it simple. keep it true, keep it bold.... Just work on your craft." He also said , "The number one thing that matters is relationships."

Amen, Mr Arias. Well said. So I'd say photography has called me. We'll see if I get (and remain) chosen.

What about you? Do you believe in the idea of a calling? Do you have one?