Photographing Food For Your Blog or Squidoo Lens

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Are You A Foodie Writer, or Blogger?

I wanted to put together a resource to help beginning foodie writers, bloggers, and Squidoo lensmasters capture great food images for their lenses and blogs. I've included my favorite food photographer tips and tricks that I've learned along the way over the last few years.

I've also put together a list of some of my favorite foodie blogs, cameras, books and tabletop lighting setups to help you learn to get the best food photography images possible.

I've mostly learned by studying others, and through trial and error, so don't be afraid to jump in there and just start photographing. If you wait until you're perfect at it you'll never get started!

The Three Most Important Components of Food Photography

1. Texture~ You want people to feel the texture of the food through the photo.
2. Color~ Make the food stand out and the colors pop off the page.
3. Lighting~ Natural lighting is best, or a good light setup.

Have a Small Camera or Camera Phone To Carry Along

food photography white chocolate cranberry cookiesThere are many opportunities to capture food shots, and other photos when you're going about your day. Make sure you keep a small camera, or a camera phone with you all the time so you don't miss that shot!.

I carry a Nikon Coolpix L20 with me everywhere I go. Many of the Canon Powershots are also small enough to fit in a take along bag or purse.

Take advantage of holidays, birthday parties, carry ins, restaurants and other occasions to get food pictures you normally couldn't get at home. Even if you just use the image as an inspiration to recreate the dish yourself later (make sure you ask for the recipe if possible).

A Couple of My Favorite "Pocket Size Cameras"

for on the go food photography

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My Absolute Favorite Food Photography Camera

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Food Photograhy Tips For Bloggers and Squidoo Lensmasters

food photography

For me food photography involves constantly learning to make my photos better. Along the way I've learned quite a bit (and I still have a good bit to learn). Here are a few of my favorite food photography tips.
~Get in close, and make friends with the macro button on your camera.
~Use natural light whenever possible, there's nothing like natural sunlight for a great food image.
~If you don't have natural sunlight a light box is a great way to simulate natural light.
~Take several shots from different angles, and with different lighting, backgrounds, and props if possible.
~Don't forget to take images of the process. If you're writing a how to recipe blog post or Squidoo lens, it helps to have images of the different steps in making the recipe.
~ Don't be afraid to crop your food images in closer with a photo editor.

Image (c) L Gerlach all rights reserved

Food Photography Books

Want to style your food photography images like the pros? Here are a few of my favorite food photography guides. I have these books on my bookshelf for quick reference and inspiration. I love browsing through the photos to get ideas to set up my own food shots.
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Use Props To Create a Beautiful Food Image

food photography

Have fun with props and backgrounds when you're setting up your food photography set. Here are a few things you can use to make your photos more interesting.
~ Wallpaper
~ Tablecloths
~ Scrapbook Paper
~ Nice bowls, trays, and plates (without scratches or cracks)
~ Wrapping Paper
~ Ceramic tiles
~ candles
~ Decorative glasses
Anything else you can think of. I love to play around with backgounds and props when I'm taking photos, that's half the fun!

Image (c) L Gerlach All rights reserved

The Food Critic Shows You How To Make Your Own Low Cost Photo Box

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Use a Tabletop Light Box To Get Those Great Shots

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Some of My Favorite Food Photography

All images (c) L Gerlach all rights reserved

Low Cost Photo Studio Light Boxes For Those On A Budget

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Food Photography: See How the Pros Do It

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My Favorite DSLR Camera For Food Photography

Sometimes I want a little more control over my images. If I want to fuss over the controls a little more I pick up an SLR camera so I can have more control over the image depth, how much light is pulled in, etc. If you're looking for that perfect, mouth watering food image!

Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens and 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD

Amazon Price: $819.00 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

A remarkable blend of simplicity and highly-advanced DSLR capabilities, the compact and powerful D5000 offers breathtaking 12.3-megapixel image quality, along with a flexible, Vari-angle, Live View monitor for fresh picture-taking perspectives.

Nikon's EXPEED image processing further enhances performance, contributing to split-second shutter response and continuous shooting at up to 4 frames-per-second to capture fast action and precise moments perfectly.

More Digital SLR Cameras That Make My Mouth Water

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Watch a Food Photo Shoot In Action

I could watch these all day! I love watching food stylists and photographers in action.
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Are You a Food Photographer Or a Foodie Writer? Please Feel Free to Share Tips and Questions Here.

  • theraggededge Jan 18, 2010 @ 4:29 pm | delete
    Very useful tips - I need them badly! My food photos always come out horribly like... well, I can't say. Anyway, good lens.

A Few Examples From My Food Related Blogs

May 31, 2012 @ 3:33 pmBrave Merida Princess Costumes from Disney by Jakk... from The Kid's Fun Review
I’m sure little girls will love Merida the latest princess from Disney and Pixar’s Brave hitting theaters in mid June. I bet little girls everywhere will want to dress just like their hero...
May 31, 2012 @ 10:37 amEnter the Feast Your Veggies On This Recipe Contes... from The Home and Garden Cafe
Allen's Veggies in partnership with Wholly Guacamole (Have you ever tried their guacamole? Yum!) is looking for super creative at-home cooks to compete their third annual nationwide r...
May 30, 2012 @ 9:30 amBrave Movie Party Food Recipes and Ideas from The Kid's Fun Review
If you’re planning a Disney Pixar’s Brave party, you’ll definitely want to include some authentic Scottish recipes and ideas in your party planning. I have a couple fun recipes to sh...
May 28, 2012 @ 11:30 pmHealthy Snacking With Orville Redenbacher?s Popcor... from The Kid's Fun Review
We try to keep our snacking healthy, whenever possible at our house. That doesn’t mean we always succeed. One of our favorite healthy snacks is popcorn! That’s why I was excited to take pa...
May 27, 2012 @ 12:01 amIt?s a Blogiversary Celebration! You Can W!n Some... from The Kid's Fun Review
7 On a Shoestring is celebrating their one year anniversary, and we’re joining in the festivities. She’s celebrating one year on WordPress, and 10K Facebook fans! She’s gathered some...
May 26, 2012 @ 12:17 pmSummer Fun With Disney Junior?s ?Yo Ho, Let?s Go S... from The Kid's Fun Review
It’s going to be a "Yo Ho, Let’s Go Summer!" Disney Junior has some fun programming coming up for kids this summer! The summer is highlighted by a week of "Jake and the Never L...
May 25, 2012 @ 9:56 pmShare Your Wild Life Video With Glad Black Bag from The Kid's Fun Review
Glad Black Bag wants you to make your family the stars of their very own reality video, well sort of… Is your life messy? I know mine sure is most of the time, and if you have kids I’m sur...
May 23, 2012 @ 4:26 pmPeople Like Us ? Family Outing Fun from The Kid's Fun Review
People Like Us makes me warm and fuzzy inside, every time I see a clip, or a photo. I can’t wait to check this movie out when it hits theaters in a few weeks on June 29th! We’re heading to...
May 22, 2012 @ 8:50 amTuna Avocado Patties ~ Grain Free Recipe from The Home and Garden Cafe
I saw a recipe for tuna avocado patties a few weeks ago, but I can't for anything find it now so I can link back to it! I just glanced at the recipe, but I've been making my own grain...

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Barkely

Barkely (Linette) enjoys sharing the things she loves with the world through Squidoo! Check out Lensography more »

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