Step-by-step food photography

[shutter_blitz]

Hi,
This is kind of a broad inquiry. I moonlight as a food photographer. The client I work for has requested step-by-step recipe making pictures.
I gave it a go with a lot of planning and the pictures turned out ok, nothing to write home about.
So, I would like some advise in this matter.
I live in an apt and have quite a tiny kitchen. If anyone has done this. I would like to know if I should use the kitchen as the location or should I move my appliances to another dedicated room and take all my shots there?

Please share any suggestions you have.

[bieber]

It doesn't really matter where you're setting up, it all comes down to two things with food, composition and light. For composition, ask yourself, are your images compelling? Do they clearly illustrate the point, but still do so in an elegant manner? Are they free of extraneous background material? Remember, if an element isn't helping your photograph, it's hurting it. Get close to your subject, only leave as much empty space as you need to keep the photo from looking cramped.

As for lighting, start with the obvious, are you using off-camera light? If not, then you should seriously look into learning how to do it. Next, are you lighting appropriately? If it's something shiny, do you have your specular highlights under control? Is your lighting fairly even, and free of harsh shadows?

Just some things to think about...

[René Damkot]

Bieber said most of it.
One addition: Does it look 'tasty'? It should.

[airfrogusmc]

Have you thought about getting a food stylist to help?

[PhotosGuy]

As for lighting, start with the obvious, are you using off-camera light? Here's a one umbrella example as a starting point: Single umbrella set-up (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=66137)

More lighting links here: FAQ - Studio Lighting (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=66140)