Wednesday, April 07, 2010

Photographing Food

I admit it, I hate taking pictures of food for this blog, so I avoid it at all cost.   All I have is 2 point and shoot 35 mm digital cameras, and I noticed that I hate the way they take pics of what I make.   My food looks lots better than my pictures.   I used to joke with a friend about a local guy's food blog - his pictures look like the kind of food you might make for a Halloween party, and put it in a medicine jar labeled "Brains" or "Guts".  The fact is - mine doesn't look much better.   I once knew a food blogger thant spent more time and used more equipment staging her food photos than I spent on my wedding photos!   I'd really rather spend my time cooking, thanks!  But great pictures would certainly enhance my blog.
However, recently I found these tips on NYT that I think might help me.   For one thing, natural light is alwasy better....another issue is that shots with a point and shoot camera in limited light often come out blurry.  I found both of these things out by trial and errror.   Looks like I need to move my food picture taking outside all the time.   I can't wait to try some of these ideas out.

3 comments:

TeacherPatti said...

It's too goddamned cutesy for my taste. I take some pictures, but if someone won't read my blog b/c it doesn't have pictures, then I don't think I want them reading it in the first place.

Anonymous said...

I have always thought it was a testament to your writing that you didn't "need" to have photos and people would read your blog just for the writing. Personally I enjoy the photography aspect of food blogging, but it sure can be a pain in the butt when your food's getting cold and you're trying to get a decent pic before eating! (Actually most of the time I just end up staging a shot with the leftovers when I have time.)

I'd probably rather read a food blog with no photos and good writing than one that has crappy photos that distract from the writing. Not that your pics would be crappy, but I say, only do it if you are going to enjoy it because your blog is great as is!

Marianne said...

Thanks for that! I can't take pictures to save my life, and my food always looks scary.