I'm Learning How to Improve My Food Photography

Ever since I bought my Sony Nex C3, I have been slowly but surely learning how to improve my food photography and I'm finally starting to see the rewards! You might notice that I've been sharing more and more recipes lately, but they have mostly been baked goods.

My weakness has always been sweets and baked goods, so I've naturally gravitated towards sharing recipes for sweet breads, cupcakes, brownies and homemade candies.

One of my latest cookie recipes was actually accepted by Tastespotting, which helped bring me more new readers!

I've learned so many tips and tricks along the way that I have even had a few friends ask me where I learned how to improve my food photography - that is one of the highest compliments a blogger can receive!  I love to help my fellow bloggers and eagerly share all of my tips, but the truth is that I am still learning.

I still have so far to go!

Like anything else, creating great food photography takes patience and a lot of research. I am constantly looking up new cooking techniques and experimenting with lighting, different decorative backdrops, lenses and the settings on my camera. I use Google to learn how to use different cooking methods because many articles not only list instructions but provide photos, which are even more helpful! Take this fantastic article as an example; http://wikitalks.com/2013/01/how-to-bake-apple-pie-in-multi-cooker/. It shows step by step instructions in photographs which makes all of the difference in the world!

If you are trying to improve your food photography, I have a few tips for you that have helped me!

Tips I Used To Improve My Food Photography

1. Always use natural light  - There is just no replacement for sunshine when it comes to food. I tried brighter light bulbs, bulbs marked as providing "daylight" and even tried pointing lamps at my food...but the food always looked a bit yellow and dark. Even using the flash on my camera didn't help! I've gone so far as to set aside the food I've made and waited until the next day to take photos of it! If you have crappy lighting in your home (like my kitchen, which only has one window), take your food outside to photograph it! I create a little setting on my patio table and take 95% of my photos there!
2. Invest in a good camera - While your iPhone can take great photos, I have found that it just can't match the focus and clarity that my Sony Nex C3 DSLR provides. If you can't afford a DSLR, just make sure that you really focus your iPhone or other camera on the food and don't add any weird filters. Those are fine for Instagram, but don't look very good when blown up into a full sized photo.
3. Don't zoom in too much on your food - I thought it would be best if I zoomed in and took close up shots of my food, but they actually turn out better if I take a regular photo and then just crop it in PicMonkey! The photos I take this way turn out much better than when I use the Macro setting on my DSLR.
4. Use small plates in your photos - I found that when I went to take a photo, there seemed to be so much plate that the food looked tiny in comparison. I began finding little tea cup plates and dessert plates, and the photos look so much better!
5. Use pretty backdrops for your food - Instead of just placing the food on the counter or table, make it pretty by using pretty place mats, a piece of wooden-looking scrapbook paper or even an old wooden carving board. Your place settings will pop in comparison and the overall photo will be more visually appealing.

Do you have any tips to share on how to improve my food photography? I am always looking for new ideas!