It’s been over two years since I began this blog and I’m still learning so much about photography. Even something that looks pretty in person can look bland if you haven’t captured it just so with your camera.
Like disco dust for example; it’s so sparkly as seen with the naked eye, but that brilliance can be hard to capture. With these princess & tea party cookies it seemed the brighter the lighting, the less the disco dust glittered, so I settled for dull lighting.
The camera settings I’ve since learned about (and shared below), seem to work fairly well with disco dust, but I’m always ready to learn new tips if you’ve got them!
I’m definitely not an expert, and still have tons to learn about lighting, settings, angles etc. It’s another craft in itself! I have discovered a few things which have at least helped me improve over time though, so I’ll share them here with you, and of course, I would be so happy to hear your tips and tricks too!
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Food Photography Tips
Camera
First of all, the camera. I remember emailing Bakerella when I first began blogging, and she directed me to this post of hers. She takes such amazing photos, her photography tips and gear are a must see! I went ahead and bought the Canon Rebel XSi 
Settings
I took a wee little course through Henry’s camera store and learned the basics, but promptly forgot about details such as white balance, aperture etc. Still couldn’t tell you exactly what F-stop means or how to really properly use all the non-automatic camera settings.
On advice from one wonderful staff member at Henry’s though, I have learned that this portrait setting on my camera is great for taking food pics in natural lighting:
I have a little slip of paper in my camera bag with the settings written on it so I’ll never forget! If you purchase this camera, finding those settings are fairly easy. (If I can do it, I’m sure anyone can. Lol).
The good news about the Canon Rebel Xsi
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Lens
The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM 1-to-1 Macro Lens
Lighting
Use natural light as much as possible and avoid using a flash. (Unless you have one of those fancy schmancy huge flashes). Natural, indirect light seems to make the pics look the most appealing.
You’ll need to take them during the day of course, which sometimes presents a challenge when you’re making your sweets during the day, finishing them at night, and giving them away the next morning! I try to plan ahead so that I’m not forced to take pictures at night.
If you do need to take pics at night, Bakerella recommends the Ego Digital Imaging Light
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Editing
I like using picnik.com for my basic photo editing (Re-sizing, cropping etc.). In terms of lighting it doesn’t have the greatest options (just an auto-fix), but if the photos have been taken in good lighting you won’t even need it.
I try to avoid this next step because it takes more time, but if I’ve messed up and really need make an effort to fix my lighting, I’ll use Photoshop Elements
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Miscellaneous Tips
- Take lots of pics with different angles etc. You never know which one will turn out!
- A Tripod
can really help if you’re working in low lighting. (Low light means manual settings are more sensitive to slight hand movements).
- Have an extra Battery. Avoid the frustration of not being able to take pics when your battery dies (and you really, really need to because it’s getting dark and you’re giving your cookies away in the morning. Can you tell I’ve been there?!)
- Add some interesting components besides the baked goods to the photo. I don’t always make the effort, but am learning to try different things.
- Use different backgrounds; I have used different kinds of wrapping paper, bristol boards, foam board and have a huge roll of white seamless paper
. Since it’s so large, I’m hesitant to take it out and set it up though – too much effort most of the time.
I’m still learning about the white balance thing too, so when I did use it the white looked a bit too grey; as you can see in the pic below. (Albeit this was before I knew about the settings I mentioned earlier).
- Play around with the angles instead of just taking a picture ‘straight-on’.
- Most importantly, have fun!
Hopefully these tips have been helpful for you! I’d love to hear your feedback, comments, tips and tricks, if you’d like to drop me a line in the comment section below, on twitter, or my facebook page here.
xo,
Marian
Thank you so much for this post! It is so helpful!
-Thekay-kery.blogspot.com
Thanks for the tips!
I use a white foam board to reflect natural light on my baked goods..seems to work pretty good most the time.
These tips are wonderful. As I get into food blogging, I am finding that food photography is a necessary secondary hobby. I really appreciate the tip about using the portrait auto focus mode for food photography! Thank you.
Thank you Marian for this amazing informative post. Best of luck and success always. XO
I am so glad you posted this! I was just posting on Karen’s Cookie Decorating form asking for tips on taking pictures!
@ Kaitlin: I’m so glad! The tips are probably laughable to a pro, but I’m just hoping to help at least a little!
@ Sweet Creations by Stephanie: Great idea!!
@ Rowaida Flayhan: You too!
@ Tiffany: Glad it helps!
Great post! Thank you!
Marian, I’m bookmarking this, making it a favorite and gluing it to my forehead!
Such great tips!!!!!I’m the worst photographer because by the time I’ve finished a project, I’m so lazy about taking the pictures.
You’re opening my eyes and making me see the light!!
xo
marian,
thank you so much for your tips.
greatings from a turkish woman living in germany
this is a great post !! i always make decent food and when i do photographs !! it looks horrible ! too embarrassed to even put it on my blog !!
great tips! I am a photoshop junkie, so I use that…but have recently discovered picnik and LOVE it!
Can’t wait to try your tips out this afternoon. This is one area I don’t enjoy as much as baking and creating. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks! =)
I love seeing your newest designs and I loved all the information on taking better pictures. I don’t make cookies or treats, however, I do have an Etsy shop where I have to take pictures. I found that making a cheap and easy light box (such as this: http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent) makes a BIG difference! I then use picnik to brighten the color, crop, etc. Here’s a sample of mine:http://www.etsy.com/listing/70841954/baby-shoes-0-18-months
Keep up the great work!!
This is so helpful. Thanks for sharing!
It’s always a struggle for me to photograph my sweets. I’ll try these tips out and hope they make a difference!
Thank you very much for these wonderful tips! I love to take photos of my cakes and cookies, too and sometimes I´m not sure how to do it. So your tips are really helpful!
Hug´s,
Verena
Wow this is one of your best tutorials. I have bookmarked it and am sure to visit this more often. Thanks for the awesome tips. Really insightful and helpful, especially for an amateur photographer like myself.
@ Ashley: Thanks for the tips!!
@ Mandi Briggs, @ Megan, @ Verena,
@ Shimmering: Glad you like it and hope it helps!
Thank you for sharing such helpful hints and tips. Think I’d better print this out and leave it right beside my camera. Lord knows I can’t ever get enough good photography advice.
Thanks Paula! =) I can’t either; I still have so much to learn!
Great tips Marian, Thanks for being so generous. I always love you photos.
Have a wonderful week
I love the picture of you!
Thanks for the great tips! Taking good pics is definitely harder than making cute cookies!!
Thank you. I just bought a new camera specifically good for low light settings as I most always bake & take pics at night. I really wanted better pictures! I appreciate the tips!
Marian,so useful information, thank you.
I started to read and interested in various TIPS,
so I can improve my photos
A useful website is http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/category/tutorials
I hope this helps!
Thanks Marian! I am always a little disappointed with my pictures but am learning to try new angles. Now if I could just save up a little money to get a really good camera!
What an awesome post! I’m really trying to make my pictures look better.. but, I just have a regular old camera… so any tips I can find are very helpful to me!! Thanks!
Marian, thank you so much for sharing your tips!! my pictures are so bad! I definitely have to learn a lot!!
Thank you for sharing! I was wondering how you were taking photos.
HI Marian,
I just wanted to thank you for all your advice—I made some bunnie bikkies (cookies) for Easter and all of you advice was perfect–the 10 second rule, how to pipe and flood etc, I was just thrilled with how they all turned out ! They look professional , even if I say so myself.
SO thanks again for your generosity in giving advice. It’s much appreciated
Robyn
In Australia
Thank you!
Great post, as usual
Best wishes,
Thank you so much for your tips! It is so helpful to someone who is new to this
You are awesome!
Hi Marian, I know how frustating is taking bad pictures (often at night)that ruin all the nice work done during the day!! My blog is full of this kind of bad pics
thanks for the tips 
hi Marian,
thank you for sharing all your great idees and knowledge.I love your blog!
ML
Thanks Marion. I have a terrible time taking pictures. Thanks for some of the tips. I do believe I need a better camera though. Can’t wait for the tutorial..
Thanks for the feedback! =)
So, I found you via Tomkat Studios and must say you have the cutest blog I’ve ever seen!! This is a great tutorial. I am a new fan!
Thanks Crystal!!
Awesome Marian! I am always looking for new tips to improve my photography. I forget just about everything from my photog classes from years ago. Modifying the white balance makes a huge difference though!
Thanks for this Marian! I have the same camera but can’t figure out how to set my F stop lower than 5.6 to follow your note
. I’m using AV mode. Is that how you do it?
Thanks Tracey!
Alison, here’s a photo of my settings; sorry the pic is upside down (it wouldn’t rotate in twitpic!):
http://twitpic.com/4m0xyz#
I’m in P mode; maybe those settings don’t work in Av.
Hope that helps!
What a helpful post, Marian! I’m always needing photography tips…and I CRINGE looking back on some of my older posts!
Fabulous post Marian!! I’ve had one like this in my head for months and just haven’t worked it out…..Stumbled and tweeted for you too!!
@ bridget {bake at 350}: Thank Bridget! I still cringe at some of mine!! LOL
@ TidyMom: Thanks SO much Cheryl!
Such helpful information Marian. Thanks for the post. Your advice also rings true for items other than sweets.
Love the tips!
Thanks Marian!
Thank you so much for the tips. I find them invaluable. I really do love your site
amazing tips, thank you! I will save to buy this camera and start practicing