You may be wondering why my food photos suck so much. You’re right, they do. But it’s not the camera, I promise. That thing cost more than my last car. Anyway I’d like to take this opportunity to blame my nasty, dark kitchen.
See that big fluorescent light up there? Yeah… that doesn’t make photos look good. Also see that window right there? It’s actually under a carport so the amount of natural sunlight coming in is very little.
Also, just wanted to show you that you don’t have to have a fancy kitchen to eat fancy food. I live with 5 other girls in an old 70’s church parsonage. Insects love our crib cause it’s all up in some woods too. I won’t tell you about the roaches, mice and spiders here though.
So there ya’ go. Just wanted to share. Sorry my pictures suck. I know that was a complaint on the last survey I sent out. I’ll try my best to make it better!
Why thank you, Kim! That brightened up my evening, I appreciate that 🙂
I think you are really clever! Never commented but read your blog all the time. Hope you become a food writer one day because you are awesome x Kim
Oh ad MegKat, I actually am using a 50mm 1.8 with a Nikon D80 lens with my ISO up over 1250. I use the stove lights as well as every single light available. There's just nothing that compares with the sun! Problem is, I have a real job and don't get cooking till the sun goes down. I'm a little jealous of these stay at home moms who can pull off great shots in their spare time. Oh well…
Thanks for the feedback! I actually do brighten them up in my editing program– but without natural light it just looks terrible, no matter how much you fake-brighten. Anyway, one day I'll find a solution.
Just edit your photos and brighten them up a little bit. Takes just a moment to have great photos online. Your kitchen looks fine, by the way. 🙂
Ande,
I feel your pain! I also have a dark (and tiny) kitchen with a small window and a dull yellow overhead light.
I've found the best way to shoot during cooking is with a large aperture (love the 50mm 1.8 – and it's cheap!) and higher ISO. I also turn off the overhead and fool around with color balance to keep the strong yellow tones at bay 🙂
(You probably know all this info, but I also have a quick guide on where/how I shoot my final food shots after cooking: http://bit.ly/9HfhQR)
P.S. Love the looks of the stuffed pepper recipe! Need to try it soon 🙂
True, real sunlight takes your photos to a new level. Problem is, I can't take my pots and pans outside every time I need to take a picture in the middle of cooking! 🙂 Maybe I'll start using my fancy flash (yuck) or buy a new fluorescent light. I've only been in this house for about 6 months, but this kitchen experience has made me realize how important real light is in the kitchen. Cooking in a dark nasty kitchen is not fun at all. AND I cook in the evenings after work so I have even less light. Anyway, enough complaining! Sorry 🙂
Most food bloggers I've seen do "how to take great pics of food" posts say take the food to the light – the living room, bedroom or even outside! Certainly a pain, but makes for better pictures. The new "daylight" flourescent light bulbs can also help (I'm assuming you already are setting a custom white balance). And if you're not already doing it, it may actually help to use a diffuser for your flash and bounce it off the ceiling rather than use the fluorescent light. And for the record, I think you've done great with what you have to work with 🙂 Good luck!