Spoonful of Sugar Free

Registered Dietitian

Operation Beautiful Food

By

Looking back through my recipes, I found that some of my older food photos were, well, pretty darn ugly. 

Ever since a couple of my photos were accepted to FoodGawker and Finding Vegan, I’ve been eager to submit more of my food photos. When I first started this site, though, I  really didn’t care if my photos were pretty or not. I just took a picture of it, and posted. I’m a little embarrassed now. 

Take for example my Five Minute Burgers: 

I swear, the recipe is delicious. Looking at this photo, though, makes it seem a bit unappetizing. 

I’m by no means an expert at taking stunning food photos like the wonderful Leanne, but I am going to at least try to make the photos better. Something more like this: 

Pumpkin Spice Latte Granola

Not every post is going to be a re-make of recipes, but I will throw a few in there every once in a while. 

Please bear with me while I try and teach myself photography! 

THOUGHT-PROVOKING, MIND-PRODDING QUESTION OF THE DAY:

Are you interested in photography? If so, have any tips to share? 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. For closeup food pictures a tripod stand works better and most all cameras have a place in the bottom to screw in the stand

  4. I can so relate to this post! When I have the chance I try to set up a white background or take photos outside, but half the time I’ve got 2 kids in my ear and tons of balls in the air, so don’t have the energy to channel my inner Ansel Adams. I know I need to improve on the photos for my website, though! I would love inspiration and ideas anyone has to share.

  5. I love photography! Though I’m no expert. Natural lighting is the best; I hate when it’s dark out by the time I’ve made dinner and then I have to photograph it in artificial lighting which means fiddling with all the temperature levels – and it never ends up looking quite the same!

  6. I noticed your photos keep getting better and better. It’s all a slow learning process for me but it gets easier and its a ton of fun along the way. Looking back just 3-4 months ago my photos have come a long way! I love photography specifically food photography, I find it really enjoyable. Congrats on FG and finding vegan too, that’s an awesome accomplishment!

  7. That is QUITE a difference! I’ve had the same experience. A lot of my older photos are unappetizing looking, but I’ve been trying to take prettier pictures of favorite meals. So there is quite a range on my blog, haha! Good luck with your photography, girl!

  8. LOL…this post made me chuckle! I used to use ugly pics for my food posts too. Looking back now, the food looks so unappetizing! Now, I make sure to have the proper lighting, that’s the most important thing. And I love my 50mm 1.4/f lens. Perfect for food photography!

  9. love photography!! just keep practicing and have fun with it. well that is what we do. we are still learning but taking a lot of pictures helps 😉

  10. I’m definitely interested in getting better at photography. I think good quality photography adds SO much to a blog or anything you’re using them for really. I’m curious, did you use the same camera for both of these shots? I think that can make a big difference as well.

    • Actually, it is the same exact camera! The first one is very hideous, I know. Probably the worst photo on my blog. The thing is, I posted that recipe over a year and a half ago, when I didn’t care about the photography!

  13. i have to say, i love your pics and how natural they always are- for me it makes things feel a bit more accessible i guess? whenever i make anything it’s usually NOT very pretty. sometimes ugly food tastes the best haha! fancy or not- i love your pics!

  14. You go girl! Teaching yourself how to use your camera has to be the most humbling experience! I posted a couple of my old, old pictures on the blog today from last Christmas and I was so thrilled to see how my skills have morphed over the past 10 months. I’ve noticed that you have been taking extra steps in your photography, love it. You definitely have skill that’s bursting to get out of you!

  16. Oh, the excitement of FG! I have had only a few photos accepted so far, but want to get better. My biggest problem is lack of light in the evenings, but it has been better since I built a light box for staging my plates of food. Recently I found an amazing set of articles about food photography from Gourmande in the Kitchen. Check them out! Well done on all your successes so far. I do feel as though each post with a decent photo is a small achievement now.

  17. I love photography. I remember a few of my first posts — I always have that feeling that I want to go back and retake the picture. I see it as a journey. We learn more each and every day. We see things in a new light. I can’t wait to see some of oyur retakes. 🙂