Yesterday I was reading Ashley’s photography post about lighting and she gave us homework. Darn her.
But it was fun homework. Or you may not really think this is fun because I am about to make you want to toss this salad out the window with all the salad pictures to follow.
I am “turning in my homework” by showing how not moving the food at all, just moving myself, impacts lighting which makes such a huge difference in photos.
Here we go…
In the first two photos I have lighting coming in from two sources: in front of me and behind me, i.e. 12 o’clock lighting, and 6 o’clock lighting, or front lit and back lit.
Overhead shot, front lit + back lit
Eye-level shot, front lit + back lit
Then I walked around the other side of my counter top (so the light is still front lit and back lit, at 12 o’clock lighting, and 6 o’clock lighting, but I moved.
These next two pictures are much more yellow than the first two which are more “neutral” or white.
Overhead ish shot, front lit + back lit
Eye-level ish shot, front lit + back lit
Then I shot from what would be 3 and 9 o’clock lighting. Also shot vertically rather than horizontally.
And then I kept walking and taking pictures of the same food from different angles and spots:
Look at how dark this shot is
And I can make the same food look differently by shooting vertically
Or by cropping my shot differently while taking the picture (I didn’t edit/crop/alter any of these photos in iPhoto or Photoshop in any way for my homework)
And by playing with where the fork appears in the shot by moving myself and where I shot from
So before you all want to puke with green salad photo overkill, I’ll stop.
Moral of the story and the lessons I learned (not just today but in nearly 2 years of blogging and taking pictures) are that:
Lighting matters (front lit, back lit, lighting sources, etc.) Please see Amanda’s recent and wonderful post on “o’clock lighting”
Angles matter (overhead, eye level, etc.)
Cropping matters (how close you are to the food, how much background you get in, etc.)
Hope my homework is ok, Teacher Ashley.
After all that salad it’s time for something sweeter like a…
Or mini-ish Blueberry Streussel Muffins (Vegan, GF, one-bowl, no mixer required).
I mentioned how much I like mini things a couple days ago.
From my last post about getting an iPhone, thanks for filling me in on your favorite apps, and for sharing your iPhone tips and tricks.
Please check the comments but so far here were some of the highlights from the apps you like and all of these are free:
Runkeeper (for plotting your runs with GPS)
Pandora
Photoshop Express (or Hipstamatic was mentioned a few times but I only found this one for a small fee)
Twitter/Facebook/Tweetdeck
Google Reader
Yelp/AroundMe
Shazam
…And more here.
It’s been so much fun playing with my new phone and downloading useful apps. Keep the suggestions coming!
And to everyone who asked:
Yes, I love it way more than Blackberry. Blows Blackberry away.
Yes, I am adapting to the touchscreen and it’s not seeming to be that big of a deal.
Make sure to enjoy some chocolate this weekend, too.
Raw Vegan Chocolate Coconut Snowballs (no-bake, GF, one bowl, freezer friendly recipe)
Questions:
1. Best thing you’ve ate or done so far this weekend?
Playing with my iPhone and customizing it, downloading apps, and learning it.
2. Photography. Do you see the differences in the pictures with the lighting? Or do you think angle of shot, i.e. overhead or eyelevel, or cropping the shot in/out makes more of a difference than lighting?For me, they are all important. But I think that if your lighting is great, then whatever else you do just looks even better.
For example, if you’re at that “perfect” eye level spot, but your lighting is crap, your photo just isn’t going to live up.
Or you can have a great macro shot all lined up, but if your lighting isn’t right, the shot suffers.
Then again, I just recently got my DSLR
Here was a lens review post I did
And here was info about my old Point & Shoot
3. What are your photography tips and tricks? What has helped you to take better photos?
I am clearly not an “expert” but I am trying to learn and teach myself things. I read everything I can get my hands on and take tons of pictures, and learn by trial and error.
I have contemplated taking classes, too, but am on the fence about that.
I also have about 50 links, not exaggerating, of great photography posts about shooting tips, tricks, camera info & settings, etc that I have compiled in my email folders. It would be kind of a PITA to post it, but I would be willing to if there is interest. Let me know.
Have a great weekend!
I have to admit that I don’t always take the time I should with my pictures. Click and go is how I roll…..Glad to hear you’re loving the iphone!
NN5rgg https://dYos3m0sIia6BQs4UntLx.com
Thank you for sharing your perspective! You Rocks Averie!
There IS interest in you posting those links. Another tab, perhaps?
I find that morning light works best for me when photographing food. And yeah, moving myself around really helps.
Not that I’m any expert by any means. Just what I’ve learned with my handy point and shoot and lack of room and/or motivation to get any other gear involved.
Glad you’re enjoying the iphone!
I’ve definitely done some experimenting of my own with lighting and angles, and it really does blow me away how much of a difference repositioning yourself can make!!
You really can tell a HUGE difference! I’m always surprised how a little change in angle can make a shoot look completely different, but I think lighting is the absolute key! Without proper lighting, it doesn’t matter where you stand, your picture just isn’t going to look as good!
Best thing I’ve eaten: Ashley’s blueberry coconut cream buckwheat bake! Mmmm!
Hey these are actually pretty dang helpful!! I always take ten gillion pics so I can get JUST the right one to post:) Thanks for the extra tips though girl!
one thing I didn’t expect to happen from having a food blog was to get better at using my camera. I’m still learning, but little tricks like moving around the shot or messing around with the buttons are making my photos improve a little bit over time. Ashley’s photos are so great, too!
The best thing I did this weekend was teach my toddler yoga class. Usually we have a small crowd, maybe 3 kiddos if I’m lucky. Today I had 7! That means 14 people, since all kiddos bring an adult…the room was packed and there was great energy happening!
I hope you’re enjoying your weekend and having fun w/ your iphone!
sounds like a great class!
love all of the pictures I never thought about times of day as a influence in my photos enjoy your app downloading there are so many awesome ones
wow, there’s so much that go into photography!! that’s awesome you’re learning a loT!
thanks for all the tips for the party (which you are invited to btw!!). i ended up making one my friend’s request (massaged kale and avocado salad with bulgur) :)
glad it was a fun success!