Newbie food photography comments....

[samlee860407]

Guys, I am very new in the DSLR world, just get my 500D less than 3 weeks ago :p

I am in love with food photography, and I own a food blog which review some of the best food I can find in Malaysia (especially in Penang island), and love doing so. And since doing that, I would love to take some food that will make people hungry just by looking at it, but seems my skill is lacking :cry:

Below are some of the shots I took, and all are edited with lightroom. Critique and how to improve are most welcome :)

All the shots are taken using 50mm F1.8 lens, while the 2nd,3rd and 4th picture are taken with a vitacon wide angle/macro converter lens attached to it.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2754/4381117576_ede479eb03_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4380386495_c4d9426429_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4380378905_cd887998f3_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2750/4380369859_6998bbea5b_o.jpg

[Mendal]

I think your DOF is too shallow, open up the aperture some to get the entire dish (or atleast most of it) in the field. and allow the stuff outside the dish to fall out of focus. I think #4 is the best, Its clear there must have been a window providing some good light.

[Mark1]

Shallow DOF is kind of a hallmark of food photography. However, like everything in photo, there is more than one way to do everything.

It looks like you are off to a good start on the images. Just need to work on your lighting. Never use on camera flash!!! See your #3 for example. Keep the light above and behind. Use some reflectors to lessen the shadows that are on the front, not another light.

I think #1 is great, but the others need a touch more.

#2 is a good example of both good and bad light. The left side glistens from the light and looks pretty good. But the right side is not very appealing at all.

#3 I will guess is on camera flash. The death of photography. Say no more.

#4 is great but kind of blurry. I cant find a point that is sharp.

[samlee860407]

Thanks mendal and Mark1.

yea, no.3 is using on camera flash since it was taken under really low light condition, and those that din't use flash the outcome is bad :(

BTW, care to elaborate more on improvement in lightning?

Sometimes I find it hard to control DOP, since if I set my aperture too high, it will lead to too shallow DOP, but if I set it at around f5 to f9, picture taken will be under exposed (i handheld my camera, so shutterspeed the max i can go is 1/30 only, always try to take at 1/40 or 1/50 though)

I always find that a tripod and another flash too overkill as this will lead to many unwanted attention in a restaurant :(

is bumping up to ISO 3200 a good idea?

[corkneyfonz]

With the greatest respect, the whole point of food photography is to make you lust after the food. Some of these dishes have the presentational skills of what my dog sicked up after eating his dinner too quickly. I did a quick flickr search with the tags food and dinner, I suggest that you do the same to improve and avoid getting into a rut where you are defending what is basically less than ideal photography. Sorry for the harsh critique.

[spikeystitch]

With the greatest respect, the whole point of food photography is to make you lust after the food. Some of these dishes have the presentational skills of what my dog sicked up after eating his dinner too quickly.

bw!

[samlee860407]

ouch, really bad huh.....

Will try to learn more, and post better one in the future :p

[Mark1]

I always find that a tripod and another flash too overkill as this will lead to many unwanted attention in a restaurant :(

As if simply taking a picture of your food is not odd on its own.

Get a mono pod then, It can be extended to the floor just in front of your chair and not be noticable. If you are having trouble with hand holding it's worth it.

is bumping up to ISO 3200 a good idea?

Only if your camera can handle that ISO.

While corkneyfonz was quite blunt with his point. It is a valid one. Food styling is an art unto itself. And the presentation that is offered on the plate for you to shoot can itself make or break a photo. You may have to rearange some of the food on the plate if you are shooting in a restraunt. Or eat some real quick if there is too much of it on the plate. Its kinda hard to ask for mire when there is not enough to look right on the plate.

[samlee860407]

I see. THanks again :)

[bigpow]

I think #1 is great.

whatever you do, please don't follow the evil food photographers (the ones using fake food)
e.g.:
nice beer glass shot
- put beaten egg white over the top
- wipe oil to the glass & spray water to it
ice cream shots using clay dolls
etc

[vk2gwk]

For what you shot - considering the circumstances - its not too bad. There is a world of difference between shooting food in a controlled environment: with set up and adjustable lighting, backdrops and so on. Or just taking a shot of what is set in front of you in a restaurant.

In your situation I would probably have shot with a slightly tighter aperture and higher ISO. And a little further removed from the food to get reasonable DOF. If you have proper focus you can always crop the shot later. There is nothing wrong with using the flash as long as you bounce it or diffuse it sufficiently to avoid annoying shadows and glares.

It ceertainly does not look like something my dog sicked up (she is rather particular in her food, BTW :) ) but here and there the DOF could have been better and there is a glare on some shots I wish would not be there. A little bit more of the plate, add a spoon or other eating iron (or chop stick) for decoration and some greens might liven things up a bit.

Don't get discouraged by the critique.... keep shooting and enjoy your meal.

[samlee860407]

I think #1 is great.

whatever you do, please don't follow the evil food photographers (the ones using fake food)
e.g.:
nice beer glass shot
- put beaten egg white over the top
- wipe oil to the glass & spray water to it
ice cream shots using clay dolls
etc


LOL, am not shooting picture to sell, or to put it on magazine, I just want to show what is present to me when I dine in a restaurant, so obviously I wont do that :p

neither I have the patience to do so :D

[samlee860407]

For what you shot - considering the circumstances - its not too bad. There is a world of difference between shooting food in a controlled environment: with set up and adjustable lighting, backdrops and so on. Or just taking a shot of what is set in front of you in a restaurant.

In your situation I would probably have shot with a slightly tighter aperture and higher ISO. And a little further removed from the food to get reasonable DOF. If you have proper focus you can always crop the shot later. There is nothing wrong with using the flash as long as you bounce it or diffuse it sufficiently to avoid annoying shadows and glares.

It ceertainly does not look like something my dog sicked up (she is rather particular in her food, BTW :) ) but here and there the DOF could have been better and there is a glare on some shots I wish would not be there. A little bit more of the plate, add a spoon or other eating iron (or chop stick) for decoration and some greens might liven things up a bit.

Don't get discouraged by the critique.... keep shooting and enjoy your meal.

Thanks a lot of the advice and encouragement! :)

btw, when you say "And a little further removed from the food to get reasonable DOF", you mean I should take the picture further from the food right?

PS: also learn something about the wonders of cropping today , so guess it will do :cool: