Along with the food, the camera is the only thing you really need to become a food photographer.
Yes, it’s that simple, or it’s at least what you think when unpacking the camera from it’s shiny cardboard box and before you actually spot the five-hundred-page manual, waiting there, just for you.
Manuals are like those guys who, sticky-with-love, always want to be by your side. You don’t want them, but certainly need them from time to time. Well, may I suggest you both get a little closer (or more accurately, you get closer from him), and you’ll find out how wonderful they actually are.
So yes, whatever camera you have, read the manual. And try the different functions, get to see how it works and how you can get the results you want.
I had to make the most of the less fancy camera I had. But I have the feeling I succeeded. Not that my pictures were perfect.
Basically, you just need to know your camera, and how to set it.
Make it. Have fun. And don’t take it too seriously.
Did I say that all you really need are food and a camera? Well, seems like I was lying. I love to have an assistant handy as well.
My assistant – or slave, you choose – is most of the time a family member or a friend. Pick someone you can harass, manipulate, and judge without going through much trouble. LOL!
So, yes, as soon as the food is made, get ready to take the pictures. Get your assistant to measure the distance between your camera and the food, to determine the best focal length to choose considering the light conditions your assistant (again!) assessed.
Or in the real world, find a place where you have access to natural light. I love natural light, but not when it’s too harsh.
Don’t put the food in direct light either, but behind a window or under a porch.Thus, you’ll have soft shadows and a sufficient amount of light coming through your lens.
You can certainly invest in both a good tripod and flash; I can’t since I have other things in my to-buy list, which come first far away from this useful duo. Just don’t use your built-in flash. Never. It makes the food looks flat, with no contrast except for that bright white spot on the shiny surface of the chocolate jelly you’ve just made.
As much as I would like my pictures to look like pretty pages from my favourite food magazine, I just can’t. And I totally grown over this.
First, overstyled shots just don’t feel right to me; not that they don’t look good, they certainly do. They’re simply not – embodying – me.
Second, I don’t have enough money to buy tons of props, not enough time to style the food. It’s meant to be eaten after all and I’d much prefer my friends to enjoy the food rather that having them to wait angrily until I finished the styling and shooting.
Third, my approach to food photography is more food-geared than anything else. I want the bread* to stand out, not the neat polka-dot ribbon that’s tied around.
* replace with any food you plan to shoot.
That’s why in most of my picture you’ll find a container – plate, jar, cake stand – holding what matters most; the delicious food. Nothing less – and most definitely – nothing more.
By now you should all be aware that I love clean pictures. And needless to say, simple background. White cotton fabric is my favourite. Ever. But coloured – and even illustrated – fabrics are ranked high amongst my top-ten.
This is probably the trickiest part for those of you who don’t know a thing about how cameras work.
Consider your camera as a small window through which light beams. The amount of incoming light is what makes the picture, so this is most definitely a critical point.
Do you need actual help on this?
Once the pictures are in and the cake eaten, I will transfer the pictures onto my PC. And then, I edit my pictures using Photoshop, Lunapic or Piknic.
Oh yes, I do use edit for every single of my pictures, but that’s mostly to crop them.
Sometimes, I will tweak the levels or colours, but only when much much needed – read: when you can’t clearly recognise what’s in the picture.
There is so much to say I’m crazy to try and express how I feel about it in just one post. I certainly don’t want to bore you. Getting you grab your camera with excitement is what I aim for. So please, experiment, take your time and enjoy yourself. With this, I’m positive that your pictures will look beautiful.
And, remember:
- natural light
- simple composition
- good framing
- macro or manual settings
- love
