We're having a small contest at work this month for our newsletter and the topic is pictures of food.

Just wanted to get some AZ feedback before I submit. Pictures cannot be modified from original.

We can submit up to three, 1 will make it to the newsletter.

Here are the 3 that I think I'm submitting. Please, C&C welcome.

 

They all need light, I would say the last one (it has the most light) but the arm in the back throws it off for me.

 

Need to buy a flash

 

Definitely need a flash. Can you shoot without a flash at higher ISO? Also, those images could be a bit warmer.

 

I would go with the last one, but brighten it a bit - since a brighten can be done in camera they shouldn't have a problem with it.

The first 2 are taken from too low of a vantage point IMHO.

 

Thank you for all the comments. I wil definitely be in the market for an external flash soon.

 

definitely need better lighting. they all look bland.

and the 2nd shot...it's as if the main focus of the dish is the lemon and lime. i would get more of the food in it and not be so eye-level with the angle.

 

#3, but agree with all the previous comments.

 

To be honest, none of those shots do it for me.. the angle, focus, lighting. Try looking at some photos from food mags and try to mimic a shot you like.

Also.. when I look at a photo of food. It should evoke a feeling of definitely shouldn't evoke a or

 

I'm obviously a newb at this. Thanks for all the suggestions. I wish I had more time to get out and practice.

 

Just carry your camera around and eat more.

 

^That's what I'll have to do!

Well - thanks AZ for making me spend more money. I picked up an external flash last night. Still playing around with it. I got a Nikon SB-600. From the reviews I saw it seems pretty good and I got it for $200 after taxes.

I'm amazed at the night shots this thing can do!

 

Nice.

 

I think my lighting issue is fixed

 

Did some quick test shots around the house with the new flash. Any pointers?

Played a little with bouncing the flash off the ceiling and tried to find some low lighted areas around the house.

 

try taking those dishes outside in broad daylight. or just in a bright sunny room. IMO you get the most natural looking food shots without flash. same can be said for most any other thing.

Expose correctly of course, use DOF to your advantage to highlight the parts of the food you want, frame and compose in a pleasing manner. Also, another technique I really like is shooting from the top - it would have worked better for that plate of oysters, for instance. The side shot is not the best angle to portray them in. The first shot is amazing, I mean in terms of the food, just I would suggest lots of natural light (that can even be ambient incandescent indoor lighting) and good use of DOF there.

Here is a sample of a top-down shot - if I took this from the side, it would not have the same kind of complete effect because of the DOF:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/delobbo/3561813571/
just a suggestion. good luck!

 

Actually I take back what I said about broad daylight. You will get your best food shots in bright indoor lighting, combined with good white balancing. If you need to use a flash, try a diffuser or dial back the power - you don't want to make it obvious that you used a flash.

 

The fruit bowl made it into the newsletter!

 

Conrats!

 

Conrats!

 

Conrats!

 

Thanks!

I don't get anything but whatevz. Good to be involved in this stuff in front of HR's eyes

 

COMBO x3! New High Score

 

what can I say, conrats!

 

I'm hoping to get some practice doing photography next week. I'll be camping in CO and bringing 20gigs of SD cards.