Let me start by saying, when people ask my advise on photography, I always snicker under my breath. Honestly folks, I only halfway know what I’m doing. I will say, practice makes perfect better. When I started A Spicy Perspective, I REALLY didn’t know what I was doing. Twenty-two months of practice has proved to be a great teacher.
I currently shoot with a Canon Rebel T2i, using a Canon 60mm Macro Lens for most of my food shots. Secretly, I’m in LOVE with my macro lens and want to use it to shoot everything.
I use a tripod. I know this is something most people hate to do, but my hands shake like a Chihuahua in heat, and I can’t take a crisp hand-held shot to save my life. Also, most of the time when I’m shooting, I’m all alone. The tripod (and a little remote) make it possible for me to pour, stir, and sprinkle while shooting.
I almost always take my final shots outside. On occasion, I pull out a couple photography lamps, but they just can’t offer the same light quality as the sun.
I use a reflector screen to bounce light. Any photographer will tell you that lighting is their arch nemesis. I use the screen to manipulate the light and try to gain the upper hand.
I edit in Adobe Lightroom. Lightroom is an easy, affordable program that anyone can get a feel for in a couple hours.
Plenty of people take all their shots inside, hand-held, without bouncing light, and their photography is amazing. The process above is not the RIGHT way, it’s simply my way.
Finally, all this equipment isn’t something I just ran out and picked up one day. I’ve been collecting it over time. I started shooting A Spicy Perspective with a 7 year old Sony Cyber-Shot, a $20 plastic tripod, and a white foam board to bounce light. When purchasing equipment, do your research, shop around, and buy the best items you can afford–don’t break the bank on a camera or lens that are out of your price range (and frankly might be out of your league.) A $5000 camera doesn’t take $5000 photos, unless you know what to do with it. While you’re learning, you can do a LOT with moderately priced equipment from good brands.
That’s my two cents; hope it helps!
XOXOXOXO
Sommer
