How to Turn Ordinary Food Photos Into Extraordinary
You style your photo carefully, you take your time to set the camera and you pay close attention to where the light is coming from – and then you trigger the camera. Everything should be perfect, right? However, once you download the photo to your computer you realize something is missing. What is missing if your straight out of camera (SOOC) photo is nice, exposure is right, white balance is correct, and composition is lovely? You know something is missing but you cannot tell what? I had that problem too until I figured out what was missing! The mood! I realized that my photos usually missed the right mood – that real life photo mood – maybe even summery and country mood that I loved so much in other people’s photos.
So, how do you get that warm-everyday-feel?
The answer (and solution) is simple – take your plate outside! Let the 100% natural and non-restricted light create mood and feel. Once you take your plate outdoors, shadows and natural light will do their thing and create a wonderfully sunny and warm feeling (that) you are after. Although shooting in the direct sunlight can be difficult, you can still make it work for you. Use an inexpensive reflector to fill in shadows or to filter the light. White side of the reflector will bounce the light where you need it the most or it will help you filter/ diffuse some of the harsh mid-day light. To diffuse the light, you will use the central ring that comes with the reflector. If you do not have a reflector, do yourself a favor and get one. 5-in-1 reflectors are really inexpensive and they will improve your photos immediately.
5-in-1 Collapsible Multi-Disc Light Reflector ($17.07)
Get one and turn your ordinary food photos into extraordinary by taking your set outdoors and allowing natural light to play with shadows and to create an inviting sunny look.
Linking up to 
What tricks you use when shooting outdoors?
Now, we would love to see your food shots!
Please, feel welcome to link your food and beverages shots to Food Photography. The rules are simple:
1. Make your photograph about food or beverages.
2. Tell us about that photograph: share a photo tip, recipe, or a story behind it.
3. Submit the URL to your food photo post or a specific Flickr image, NOT your home page or album URL.
4. Please, include a link back to my blog in your post or Flickr image description. You can grab the button below or use a text link. Note: Linked photos without the backlink will be removed.
5. Visit bloggers on your left and your right and leave some comment love.
Latest posts by Mira Crisp (see all)
- Creating HDR in Photoshop - June 5, 2013
- Four Cloud Options for Storing Your Photos Online - April 15, 2013
- Contemporary Portraits Meet Grainy Film - March 27, 2013
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13 Comments:
By ZondraArt 19 Apr 2012
Odličan i zanimljiv post!
Mislim da bismo nas dvije konačno trebale napraviti suradnju, što kažeš?
Pozz.
By Mira Crisp 19 Apr 2012
Uvijek sam za.
XOXO
By Gina 19 Apr 2012
Oh my gosh Mira- these look amazing. I think my favorite is the 3rd one- I happen to be really fond of the tighter shots. I do use the reflector but I try to avoid shooting food outside because our sun here is always so harsh & like I learned the other day with portraits- even the filter can’t help like I need it to- even at 4 in the afternoon.
By Jaymi 19 Apr 2012
umm can I eat that? Please??? I love the picture on the left in the second to last row! It’s amazing how much lighting can make a difference! I love using a reflector for food shots, it’s such a help.
By deb duty 21 Apr 2012
These are beautiful Mira! I really love the outdoor photo with all the beautiful green in the background. The daisies are a nice touch too!
By Mila 21 Apr 2012
they look delicious and the photos are amazing!
By the food dude 22 Apr 2012
Awesome photos! Nothing beats natural light, great tips! I should be getting a reflector to balance my window light, great idea!
By Ellie 27 Apr 2012
Oh Mira, I’m drooling. That looks sooooo good. Your pictures are awesome too – I don’t have a reflector but have used a white piece of card on occasion, probably not the same though. Maybe I should invest in one.
By Jaymi 27 Apr 2012
Hey Mira, are you doing a link up today? I actually have food pictures ready!
By Mira Crisp 29 Apr 2012
Sorry, guys! No linky party this week.
By photography tips 04 May 2012
Love the second shot and I almost starving now. It looks so real!
By PrideinPhotos 16 May 2012
Wow…your food photography is just mind blowing!!! Thank you for the tutorial, it was very motivating for me to take the next step and buy a reflector! Keep up the great work!!
By Mamacook 19 May 2012
Sorry I missed the linky. Great tip. When we finally get some better days I’m totally on it. I can imagine some soft dusk or gentle morning light would have some interesting effects too. I picked up a tip a few months ago to use natural light as much as possible so I often photograph on a window ledge. Generally on really sunny days I end up taking the plate further inside to avoid the harsh lights and shadows. Not sure my toddler would stand for me setting up a reflector though (I’m often taking photos of his tea!)