Food Photography Setup

Food bloggers, challenge yourself: Shake things up with your photography and do something different for a change!

Jump to:

Food Photography Challenge
Ever Changing Photography Setups
Conclusion
Common Questions

Do you know Georganne from LilaLola? She makes amazing decorated cookies! Over on her blog she freely shares her talent and tips & tricks.

This year she is posting monthly challenges for her readers. Now, I don’t really do any cookie decorating these days but the March challenge can be applied to pretty much any food blogger or food photographer.

This month Georganne encouraged everyone to change things up with their photography. Nothing specific; just challenge yourself and do something out of your normal routine.

Food Photography Challenge

For me, photography is a challenging part of blogging every month. So far I am still using a point & shoot camera but I have learnt so much in the last 6 months.

After reading Tasty Food Photography (my full review - here), a very helpful guide by Lindsay from Pinch of Yum, I ditched the auto mode and got to know the manual settings of my camera. I even learnt how to use Photoshop for my editing!

I know and realize that many of you are much more advanced in your food photography journey but please bear with me in this post.

Thinking about Georgeanne’s challenge and wondering what I could do different with my food photography this month, I realized that I actually (have to) change things up on a regular basis. In our current traveling lifestyle, we move to different places every few months.

Ever Changing Photography Setups

With our minimalist approach to life and travel, I don’t have an arsenal of props or backdrops, instead I use ‘natural setups’. So changing accommodations also means my food photography setups are changing every time.

This frequent change can be challenging but it also keeps things interesting. Our previous place had large windows and glass doors - letting in plenty of natural lighting almost all day long. My pictures from that time mostly reflect that bright atmosphere.

Our current apartment in Vietnam is much more constraint on natural light but so far I have discovered 3 great ‘natural photography setups’ here. I call them the warm, the cool and the moody.

The Warm

Remember the Chocolate PB Banana Bites?

I photographed them in the entrance way leading to our place. The structure of the natural stone tiles lends subtle character and I like how the warm, earthy color tone complements the peanut butter color.

The Cool

This second setup is also located outside. Can you see where I took the pictures of these peanut butter bars?

This ‘backdrop’ is part of the metal fire escape stairs. The current gray color creates a cooler mood than the stone tiles. The paint is chipped and showing at least 2 other previous colors. A naturally ‘distressed look’.

When I take pictures here, the kids from the day care in the neighbouring building can see me through their window. They must be so confused, wondering what this weird white lady is doing crawling on the ground with dessert and a camera 😀

And now, last but by far not least…. my most favourite but also most challenging setup:

The Moody

This is the desk in our place. Isn’t it a beauty? I was so excited when I spotted it as we were viewing the apartment. For me this desk was reason enough to take the place. Luckily, everything else worked out well too 😉

It is this rustic, distressed desk that caused me to try dark & moody food photos for the first time.

Unfortunately, the top has been refurbished with newer, lighter wood and there is no natural light coming in from the right, where the cabinet is. In its actual position there just isn’t enough light. I have to crank up the exposure so high that the images get this grainy look (at least with my camera) which you can probably see in above pictures.

So in order to use this desk as backdrop I have to beg my husband every time to help me move it about 90 degrees. (It’s a heavy desk but sweet treats make for great bribes). Once moved there is this ‘grazing’ natural light coming in through the opened front door – not too much that it would take away from the dark & moody feel, but just enough to make decent photos possible.

Conclusion

Well, this sums up my food photography change up.

Do you regularly change up your photography? If not, how could you switch things up a bit?

A different setup?

Going outside maybe?

Using props or no props?

Adding text to your images?

Whatever you do, just try something different 🙂

Even if I couldn’t offer advice to the advanced photographers among you, maybe I can at least pass on this challenge and get you thinking in a new direction.

As always, I would love to hear your thoughts!

Common Questions

Why should I consider changing things up with my food photography?

Changing things up in food photography can bring freshness and creativity to your images. It allows you to explore new perspectives, experiment with different setups, and challenge yourself to think outside the box. This can lead to more engaging and captivating food photos that capture the attention of your audience.

How can I change things up in my food photography?

There are several ways to change things up in food photography. You can explore different backgrounds and props, experiment with various lighting setups, try alternative angles and compositions, and even venture into new styles such as minimalist or dark and moody photography. The key is to break away from your usual routines and embrace creative experimentation.

What are some ideas for changing up my food photography setups?

There are countless possibilities for changing up your food photography setups. You can try shooting outdoors to take advantage of natural light and different environments. Experiment with unconventional surfaces like textured fabrics or rustic wood. Incorporate interesting props that complement your food and add visual interest. Play with different angles, such as overhead shots or close-ups.
The goal is to push your boundaries and discover new perspectives.

How can changing things up in food photography enhance my skills?

Changing things up challenges you to think creatively and adapt to new situations. By exploring different setups, you can improve your composition skills, develop a better understanding of lighting, and learn to work with a variety of props and backgrounds.
This experimentation expands your knowledge and enhances your ability to create captivating and visually appealing food photographs.

What if I'm not comfortable with change or trying new setups?

It's natural to feel a bit uncomfortable with change, especially when it comes to something you're familiar with like your food photography setup. However, embracing change and stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to exciting discoveries and growth as a photographer. Start small by introducing subtle variations, and gradually challenge yourself with more significant changes.
Remember, the journey of growth often begins outside of our comfort zones.

How can changing things up in food photography benefit my blog or social media presence?

Changing things up in your food photography can bring new life to your blog or social media presence. Fresh and visually appealing photos attract more attention, engage your audience, and can potentially lead to increased traffic, followers, and interactions. By standing out with unique and eye-catching images, you can make a lasting impression and differentiate yourself in the competitive world of food blogging.

Are there any resources or guides that can help me with changing things up in food photography?

Absolutely! There are many resources available to help you explore and expand your food photography skills. Online tutorials, books, and courses can provide inspiration, tips, and techniques for trying different setups. Personally I'd recommend starting with the Tasty Food Photography guide!
Additionally, engaging with food photography communities and sharing experiences with fellow photographers can be a valuable source of support and inspiration as you embark on your journey of changing things up with your food photography.

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Food Photography Challenge