I'm comming for some tips on food photography. I got a job offer to cook and shoot some recipes, but im kinda limited in my food photograpy knowlege and technique.
But as I'm gonna turn around food probably for the rest of my life, i would like to learn.
What lenses are the most appropriated for food photography? And how do i work with the lightening and everything?
It would be really nice if i could get a few tips!
(also, as a student, i dont have much money, so not very expensive)
I love food photography :) It is one of my favourite things because it's more than just the food - it's about the lifestyle, the experience, the atmosphere.
Lighting - I prefer to use diffused natural light, such as that coming in from a window. Or, you can use a flash, like a Canon Speedlite, bounced up and to the side.
Lenses - I like to go for lenses that offer a shallow depth of field, that way the food is the prime focus of the shot. I would suggest a 50mm f/1.8 if you're on a budget, or the 50mm f/1.4 if you can spend a bit more (it is a great lens and worth the extra money - I use it all the time for my food shots and I love it!)
I currently have the 18-55, 35, and 55-200mm lenses from Nikon/Nikkor. The most lighting for any of the photos below was with 2 metal hardware clamp lamps for $8.00 each at Walmart and 100 watt pure white bulbs.
Basically, you want a static lens (35 or 50) for really low light, to get more in the frame, to get more out of focus, etc. You want a good zoom (55-200ish) for compressing backgrounds, simplifying, getting more in focus, etc.
The lighting setup really can be pulled from a $20 budget. 2 hardware lights and wax paper as diffusers (I didn't bother). Just remember those lights get HOT.
Most of my food photos have been with my 18-70mm lens or 105mm macro. Both seem to work well. I suppose it might depend on what your employer wants will determine which equipment you use.
Some pics.
Oh I love food. What a wonderful opportunity and there are ways to do it on the cheap.
* I mostly use my 50mm(a rather inexpesive lense).
* I prefer white dishes or bright solid colors. A thrift store is a great place to find these.
* I often use a reflector and natural light. A large peice of white paper will work too as a reflector.
* I sometimes use my table or counter top, but I also like to use scraps of wood or scrapbook paper as a background.
I do it all on the cheap, because I am a stay at home mom and have no income of my own. I have learned to be crafty with it. I hope this helps and good luck, I'd love to see you images!
This one is using my kitchen wall & a peice of wood
This is a piece of 12inch scrapbook paper
Wow. Thanks for this post. I have some great tips now.
I took this shot using a .75cent light box that I made from a card board box and left over tissue paper that came from a gift I was given. The lights were my outdoor Christmas lights. I now have a slightly better set up but have not had time to do much in the way of food photography in a while.
@pocketmouse Great styling! I'm still working on improving mine but its so much fun to experiment.
@lalola616 I also use the 50mm 1.8 and its a great starting lens. I also use natural light and reflect light back onto the food with a white foam core board (cheap). Your main thing, aside from styling and focus, is correct white balance. Otherwise, your food looks off. Have fun!
@lalola616 thanks so much for posting this thread! I'm a foodie--I used to cater, and I've been a recipe tester for a noted chef, and I take photos of my food ALL THE TIME, but I don't produce images like these--the advice is wonderful! I'm new to the 356Project, and my images have already gravitated toward food subjects! Best of luck.
This one is at number nine on my stats top ten list....
and if drinks count, then this from yesterday, and there's a list of all the incredibly sophisticated and expensive kit which I used to get rhe shot....
I'd agree with the people saying shallow depth of field. I actually use flash a lot, but bounced and off camera (I got a cheap off-camera flash lead for this). Some examples:-
This was my first attempt at food photography. I entered this photo into a 'mock magazine photo cover' competition and I won. I used natural light and bits and pieces I had in the house to add the finishing touches. Good luck, I think you will enjoy the challenges of both styling food and capturing the perfect photo.
I actually wanted to be a food photographer when I grew up! lol. I use a 60mm. I like window light for food shots the best. I think styling the food is the hardest, and not eating what you are photographing...
this one the whipped cream kept sliding I wasn't fast enough lol
You want to photograph food in a totally different, original, creative, surreal, arty way? Then check out this site and you' ll be amazed:
www:mariececilethijs.com. Have a bite! ;-)!
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Lighting - I prefer to use diffused natural light, such as that coming in from a window. Or, you can use a flash, like a Canon Speedlite, bounced up and to the side.
Lenses - I like to go for lenses that offer a shallow depth of field, that way the food is the prime focus of the shot. I would suggest a 50mm f/1.8 if you're on a budget, or the 50mm f/1.4 if you can spend a bit more (it is a great lens and worth the extra money - I use it all the time for my food shots and I love it!)
Some examples:
Basically, you want a static lens (35 or 50) for really low light, to get more in the frame, to get more out of focus, etc. You want a good zoom (55-200ish) for compressing backgrounds, simplifying, getting more in focus, etc.
The lighting setup really can be pulled from a $20 budget. 2 hardware lights and wax paper as diffusers (I didn't bother). Just remember those lights get HOT.
35mm:
2 hardware 100watt lights
2 hardware 100watt lights
18-55mm:
1 hardware 100watt light
dim over stove light only
55-200mm:
2 hardware 100watt lights
window light
Some pics.
* I mostly use my 50mm(a rather inexpesive lense).
* I prefer white dishes or bright solid colors. A thrift store is a great place to find these.
* I often use a reflector and natural light. A large peice of white paper will work too as a reflector.
* I sometimes use my table or counter top, but I also like to use scraps of wood or scrapbook paper as a background.
I do it all on the cheap, because I am a stay at home mom and have no income of my own. I have learned to be crafty with it. I hope this helps and good luck, I'd love to see you images!
This one is using my kitchen wall & a peice of wood
This is a piece of 12inch scrapbook paper
I took this shot using a .75cent light box that I made from a card board box and left over tissue paper that came from a gift I was given. The lights were my outdoor Christmas lights. I now have a slightly better set up but have not had time to do much in the way of food photography in a while.
Thanks for the great tips. I'm looking forward to putting them into practice. I love you shots that you posted!!
@lalola616 I also use the 50mm 1.8 and its a great starting lens. I also use natural light and reflect light back onto the food with a white foam core board (cheap). Your main thing, aside from styling and focus, is correct white balance. Otherwise, your food looks off. Have fun!
and if drinks count, then this from yesterday, and there's a list of all the incredibly sophisticated and expensive kit which I used to get rhe shot....
this one the whipped cream kept sliding I wasn't fast enough lol
www:mariececilethijs.com. Have a bite! ;-)!