All about beginner photography: photography tips

Thursday, 19 March 2015

Spring is in the air….

Since spring is just around the corner I thought it would be fitting to brighten up the blog with some beautiful floral photography. We’ve all had enough of the ugly, terrible, cold winter we have been having. Who cannot wait for the leaves to bud and the flowers to bloom? *raises hand*

The photos on the blog have been taken (by me) using the tips I’ve discussed in previous posts.

Use natural light (where possible). Move your subject to a natural light source if you can. It’s the best way to capture it in all its glory. You don’t have to be confined to taking pictures in your home, get out of the house and explore other possibilities.

Lighting. There are certain times of day that are just better to shoot than others. If you’re outside on a sunny day you will know what I mean. There can be shadows and harsh bright light. One way to overcome this is to have reflectors, or simply have your subject face the right way.

I hope you have enjoyed all the tips and photos I have shared. Please check out my photo board of tips on my Pinterest page for more in depth tips.

For anyone further interested in taking their skills to the next level Improve Photography has some great online classes that I highly recommend.

Get out there and practice and thanks for reading!

Saturday, 28 February 2015

We all have a little foodie in us…

Today’s discussion and tips…. Food photography!

Who doesn’t love food? I’m sure we’re all guilty of pulling out our phones and taking a snapshot of something delicious we’ve eaten at one point or another. Today I will be discussing a few tips (with some of my pictures below) for those foodie’s who want to take food photos to the next level.

Minimize background. Remove all the clutter around your photo. Push away that toaster, clear those dishes and wipe the surface of the space you’re using. The focus is on the food, and nothing should distract from it.

Eggnog snowflake cookies

Use natural light (where possible). Move your dish to a natural light source if you can. It’s the best way to capture the food in all its glory. Using a flash (even if you’re bouncing the flash) can create harsh light, and depending on what you’re photographing, the colours may get distorted. You don’t have to be confined to taking pictures in your cooking space, get out of the kitchen and explore other possibilities.

Breakfast of champions. #eggcup

Try different angles. Try it all. Directly above, from the side, from the other side. Rotate the dish, move the food around to find an interesting point of view.

Wedding plates

Use props! Grab that silver spoon, or that interesting ladle that was passed down to you through generations. Try adding different elements to add interest to your photos. Tip: try to use plates and bowls that are clean in simple so that if your dish is multicoloured or complicated, it doesn’t take away from the food.

Pierogies

Get up close and personal. Get in close, as close as you can while still remaining in focus. The best way to accomplish this is with a fixed lens (one that doesn’t zoom), also affectionately known as a macro lens (usually 50mm). Now I know what you’re thinking. Not another lens! I have no money! Don’t fret. Depending on the brand of DSLR you own, you can find a decent one for around $100.