You Eat With Your Eyes!
Really... you do. We all do.
Way before our taste buds ever try a certain food, we already start forming an opinion about it's based on its aroma and appearance.
When it comes to online recipes, there is no way of tasting or smelling the food - no matter how delicious. The biggest selling factor is "What does it look like?"
Having beautiful, appetizing pictures together with your recipes is essential. In fact, it is critical!
The Challenge?
It's easier said than done. Especially since most food bloggers start out with a passion for food and cooking - not photography. We'd have a photography blog otherwise.
Food Photography Setup
You with me so far?
Ok great. Now, how can we take our pictures from blah to YUM?
Lindsay Ostrom, the super talented blogger behind Pinch Of Yum, has come to the rescue with her awesome "Tasty Food Photography" ebook. In it she (and her husband Bjork) not only gives heaps of tips and tricks for taking appealing food pictures - but explains it all in a way that is very accessible and easy to understand.
Book Highlights
Just take a look at this table of contents to see what I am talking about:
- You Eat With Your Eyes
- Lighting
- Composition
- Props
- Technical Tips
- Editing in Photoshop
- Editing in Lightroom
- Editing in Photoshop Elements
- The Photo Process
- Workflow
- Resources
I bought and absolutely loved the original ebook. I learnt so much from and it changed the way I did my photography. Now Lindsay published a new and updated (even more awesome) version of the same ebook. I'm stoked!
Benefits for All Levels of Photographers
You might say "I don't even have a fancy camera and all this won't help me" but nothing could be further from the truth!
There is a whole section dedicated to tips on how to improve your pictures with just a point & shoot or iPhone camera. The new version has even more advice on how to maximize your phone's camera capabilities, etc. I especially love Lindsay's list of favorite photo editing iPhone apps - most of which are free!
For a food blog, great pictures also result in more traffic - due to them being more likely to get pinned to Pinterest or accepted to food sharing sites like FoodGawker or TasteSpotting.
I don't have a DSLR camera myself but can attest that with some simple changes I made to my photography (after reading Tasty Food Photography), I started to get my point & shoot camera pictures accepted on the just mentioned sites - which resulted in a LOT of new visitors to my site.
Lighting and Editing Insights
Two other major parts of the guide focus on lighting tips and simple editing secrets.
Lighting
Before reading the book I only marginally understood how important natural lighting is for appealing food photography. Reading the ebook helped me to make the best of my lighting source... whether artificial lights, direct sunlight, natural light, etc and how to deal with too much light exposure and shadows.
Editing
Don't get me started with photo editing!
All I used to do was click the auto-improve button in online software like Picmonkey. Now, I am no longer overwhelmed using Photoshop - thanks to what I learned from Lindsay through her guide.
Technical Setups
The one thing I appreciated about the second (current) version of the ebook was the closer look at the technical setup for food photography. Things like:
- Aperture settings
- ISO settings
- Shutter speed
- Best lens or lenses to use
- Using reflectors or backdrop
- Using a tripod
- Composition tips
- How to dial in manual mode on camera
- When to use diffusers
What Others Are Saying
- "As a newcomer to the world of food blogging, I found the Tasty Food Photography ebook to be invaluable. Being a total beginner in photography, I was pleasantly surprised by how beautifully everything was explained in the book."
- "Lindsay's book truly saved my blogging journey! She covers every aspect in such a way that even beginners like me can easily grasp the concepts. Her ability to break down complex topics (from a different angle) is commendable."
- "In just a few days of having Tasty Food Photography, I have gained more knowledge than from any other photography book I've read. The content is incredibly informative and well-presented."
- "I cannot thank you enough for the inspiration I found in your eBook. After reading it, I felt motivated and excited. Your book has given me a fresh perspective and a new goal for my blog. It made my whole week!"
- "A month ago, I reached out to express my gratitude for your clear and concise eBook on photography. I am thrilled to share that by following your advice, my photos are now starting to be accepted by these popular 'food porn' sites. Thank you for your wonderful eBook!"
Conclusion?
I will say that the "Tasty Food Photography" ebook is one of the better investments I have made for this blog 😀
If you're looking to enhance your food photography skills, I highly recommend checking out the "Tasty Food Photography" ebook by Lindsay Ostrom. It's a comprehensive guide that caters to all levels of photographers, with practical tips, accessible explanations, and valuable insights on lighting and editing.
Investing in this ebook may just be the game-changer your food blog needs to attract more readers and take your photography to the next level. At least that has been my experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
Tasty Food Photography is an ebook (in PDF format) that provides comprehensive guidance on how to improve your food photography skills. It offers valuable insights, tips, and techniques to help you capture beautiful and appetizing pictures of your dishes.
You can obtain the Tasty Food Photography ebook in PDF format - here. It is available for purchase and you can easily access and download it to your device.
Absolutely! The Tasty Food Photography ebook is designed to be accessible and helpful for both beginners and more experienced photographers. It covers everything from basic concepts to advanced techniques, making it a valuable resource regardless of your skill level.
Readers have praised the Tasty Food Photography ebook for its clarity and effectiveness. They have found it invaluable, particularly those who are new to photography. Many have expressed how it has transformed their approach to food photography and helped them understand important concepts easily.
Absolutely! The ebook includes a dedicated section on how to enhance your food photography using point-and-shoot cameras or even smartphone cameras. It provides tips on maximizing the capabilities of your equipment and offers recommendations for photo editing apps that can further enhance your images.
Yes, lighting and editing are significant aspects covered in the Tasty Food Photography ebook. The importance of natural lighting in food photography is explained, along with techniques to make the most of it. Additionally, the ebook provides insights into photo editing using popular software like Photoshop, making it easier to enhance your images effectively.
Having visually appealing and appetizing photos on your blog is crucial, as they attract readers and make them eager to try your recipes. The Tasty Food Photography ebook equips you with the knowledge and techniques to capture and edit stunning food photos.
By implementing the strategies from the ebook, you can potentially increase traffic to your blog, get more engagement, and even have your images accepted by popular food sharing sites.
Yes, the Tasty Food Photography ebook is available in PDF format, making it convenient to read and access from various devices. You can easily download the ebook and refer to it whenever you need guidance or inspiration for your food photography journey.
Taking appetizing pictures of food involves a combination of techniques, and the "Tasty Food Photography" ebook by Lindsay Ostrom can be your comprehensive guide to mastering this skill. It provides valuable insights into lighting, composition, props, and photo editing, all of which contribute to creating mouthwatering food photos. With practical tips and accessible explanations, this ebook can help you transform your food photography from ordinary to extraordinary.
Food photography requires an understanding of various elements, and the "Tasty Food Photography" ebook offers a step-by-step approach to help you excel in this art. From setting up your photography gear to capturing the perfect shot and enhancing it through editing, this ebook covers it all. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced photographer, you'll find this ebook a valuable resource for improving your food photography skills.
The "Tasty Food Photography" ebook provides an array of essential tips to enhance your food photography, but here are three important ones to get you started:
- Lighting: Learn how to harness the power of natural lighting to make your food look enticing.
- Composition: Discover the art of arranging elements in your frame to create visually appealing food photos.
- Editing: Gain insights into effective photo editing techniques to make your images pop.
These tips, along with many more, can be found in the ebook, making it an invaluable resource for food photographers.
Food photography is the art of capturing and presenting food in a visually appealing and appetizing way through photographs. It involves techniques to make food look delicious, enticing viewers to want to taste or prepare the dishes themselves. If you're interested in mastering the art of food photography, the "Tasty Food Photography" ebook is an excellent resource to guide you through the process.
The optimal camera settings for food photography can vary depending on the lighting and the desired effect. The "Tasty Food Photography" ebook discusses camera settings in detail, providing guidance for different situations. Whether you have a fancy DSLR camera or a simple point-and-shoot or smartphone camera, this ebook offers tips and techniques to make the most of your equipment. It's a valuable resource for photographers of all levels.
Good food photography involves several factors, such as proper lighting, composition, styling, and editing. The "Tasty Food Photography" ebook dives into these aspects, offering insights and techniques to elevate your food photography. Whether you're aiming to create a blog, share your culinary creations on social media, or simply improve your photography skills, this ebook can help you produce stunning food photos that are both visually pleasing and appetizing.
Remember, Tasty Food Photography ebook can be a game-changer, providing you with the tools to take your food photography skills to the next level.
Melissa
I need to stop going on vacation. I missed an awesome giveaway...thanks for the heads up about the book
Regina
Nonsense Melissa! You definitely deserved a relaxing vacation! Sorry you missed the giveaway though. Hope you came back refreshed and recuperated.
Cynthia V. Sawyer
I am taking big leaps in my food photography this week. Along with my new camera lens this week I also bought Lindsay’s (Pinch of Yum) new e-book Tasty Food Photography. I love the book! It walks you through an easy to follow guide on how to take and edit food pictures.
Jess
Definitely light! The camera picks up the light with a yellowish blech tint.
Regina
Aw...that must be annoying. Are you using a point & shoot camera? Have you tried manually setting your white balance?
Jess
I am using a point and shoot(Nikon Coolpix L810) Am not getting paid yet at my job but once I am I will be saving for a dslr.
Regina
I hear ya, Jess. I am also using a point and shoot at the moment. Do you use yours in auto or manual mode? Most have an option to change the white balance in manual mode. That should help with the yellow tint.
Jess
Mine doesnt have manual mode (At least not that I can find and I have explored that camera like crazy trying to find different settings) Oh well! Ill look some more.
Jenny
My biggest challenge is lighting!!
Kelly @ Nosh And Nourish
I'm intrigued and would love to look through this book!
Regina
Its an awesome guide. Helped me so much. Good luck in the giveaway Kelly!
Faith @ Pixie Dust Kitchen
My biggest challenge is styling- I seem to always take the same "formulated" pictures and it's hard to think of new ways to style my pictures so my posts are interesting!
Regina
I can relate Faith. I feel once I figured out one set up that works I am too hesitant to change it up.
natalie @ wee eats
lighting! it can ruin even the most delicious-looking dessert!
Regina
So true Natalie!
Kimberly Miller
What is your greatest challenge when it comes to food photography?
My biggest challenge is lighting...I think. It could be composition. Or positioning. Or a whole slew of things. Every now and then I'll hit one just right. Lol. 🙂 I'm reading DSLR's for Dummies to help me learn to use all of the settings on my camera to improve my photo quality.
Regina
Sometimes the journey of learning photography seems so long and hard - but when I look back just a little bit I can see how far I have come. I think key is to always keep learning - so you are definitely on the right path Kimberly 🙂
christy spurlock
Getting the proper lighting
Jennay
My biggest challenge in taking photos of food is the lighting...with having big windows in the kitchen it brings in great natural light but sometimes the glare is a pain to deal with.
Regina
Yeah, lighting is a tough one. Too much - too little. Neither is good. We once stayed at a place with lovely windows on all sides and a big black table in the center. I thought it would be perfect - but like you say - glare and weird reflections made it tougher than dealing with low lighting.
Lisa P
Lighting!
Michele
Taking pictures too close, or not close enough. Also I have a real big problem getting the right angle!
Regina
Haha...totally feel ya Michele. "Awkward angle" is by far the most used rejection reason I get for my images on food sharing sites 🙂
Heather O
My greatest challenge is the lighting in my house. 🙁
Regina
Oh bummer. I know what it feels like having to deal with less than ideal circumstances
Julie
Natural lighting is an issue for me. My house is small, only has a few windows, and none of them get good exposure. Because of this I often have to take my food out side to photograph so I put everything on a plate and then all my photos start looking really similar.
Regina
I love shooting outside when the lighting is right but totally dislike carrying everything out
Jacquee @ I Sugar Coat It!
I was planning on getting a copy of this book!! Love this giveaway! I still struggle with the technical - aperture, shutter speed. Usually hit or miss for me.
Regina
I am scared thinking of all the technical things I'd have to learn with a DSLR camera. Still I can't wait 🙂 Reading Lindsay's book makes me already feel less intimidated about this aspect 🙂
Jacquee @ I Sugar Coat It!
Well, clearly I did not win. 🙁 BUT, I've just purchased it through your link. YAY! 🙂 Thanks!
Regina
Aww...sorry Jacquee but thanks so much 🙂
stacey
My biggest challenge is positioning the product in the photo. How do I take an accurate picture showing the detail without looking like you're sitting on top of the picture???
Regina
I totally understand Stacey! Often I try to apply the "rule of thirds" and it just looks off. I could definitely improve my composition as well.