AD/ Gifted | Those of you who keep up with my foodie content will recognise that a lot of my photos are taken in the same spot. I’m not the best photographer in the world, and I have precisely two locations in my house that provide me with good lighting in an area I can be fairly certain to get a decent photo. And one of those is my bathroom, so that leaves one for foodie photos. I know that my regular neutral background is a fairly safe shot, but I’m also very aware that it’s a little boring. So, with the help of The Foodie Bag, I’m upping my game and improving my food photography.
Improving My Food Photography
My regular setup
Right in front of my front window, bright, lots of light, neutral background. This is the shot that regular readers will be more than familiar with.
However, some of you may have noticed in Thursday’s post that a few of the backgrounds looked a little bit different.
The Foodie Bag
The Foodie Bag contains several backdrops, a light reflector/ diffuser and a pack of postcard style shots that have tips and instructions on the back that cover everything from how to stage your shot, to colour composition and how to get the best light. I’m sure just about anyone, even a complete novice, could take a good photo after reading these.
My photos
Naturally, I gravitate towards the lighter backgrounds as my preference is for brighter photos. My automatic favourite is this pack is one with an off white that has a print that kind of reminds me of a nice kitchen floor tile. But I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone and use the darker one too.
I wasn’t a fan of my first set of photos with the darker background, totally my fault. The colour of my wasn’t a great match for it. I told you those cards were useful…
My first photo with the darker background.
But after playing around with it to do some more test shots, I became a fan. To use the sheets, I have to change my shooting spot as my usual place isn’t big enough to accommodate the sheets. Stepping doubly out of my comfort zone, I spread the sheet across my darker wooden floor. The light reflector became particularly useful at this point to make the light more even as I’d had to move away from the even bay window. While this was helpful now, I’m really looking forward to using this later in the year when the nights start pulling in, to help make the most of the last of the daylight.
Camera?
Remember when I said a complete novice could take a good photo with those cards? All of the pictures I’ve featured were taken using a DSLR, but the tips on the cards are designed for using your phone. So, as long as you have a phone with a fairly good camera (I’m sure results will vary if you attempt to recreate this on an iPhone 4), you’re all set.
Do you like the change of background? If you’re interested in improving your own food photography with The Foodie Bag, they’re available from Paper Bag Co.
Until next time,
Sophie
Your new photo’s look great! To be fair I never really thought your older photo’s got boring, they’ve always looked pretty great, the lighting always seems so good! The Foodie Bag sounds good though, its a nice way to change up the photo backgrounds a little bit.
Chloe xx
As someone who is already such a big fan of your food photography (Seriously, your photos always make my mouth water) I am so excited for this journey for you! The bag seems like a really good idea and a great starter kit not just for food, but for flatlay photography in general! I’ll definitely be having a look into it!
Jas xx | https://jaswritesstuff.com
I love experimenting with light, but ultimately I come back to the same spot in my house too – right near the large window in my dining room. I’ve figured out that the best light there is in the morning until the sun becomes more direct. And new backgrounds are fun! It’s good to step out of our comfort zone sometimes I think, at least for me – that’s how I learn and grow. I am loving your photography, Sophie, old and new! Hope you’ve been well.
I love my reflector, it helps me withmy lighting, especially during the darker months. Your photography has always been amazing though!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
These photos look great! This sounds like a helpful set, I’d love to level up my book photos in a similar way. My phone camera is decent, I think, I just have no idea what I’m doing!
I love how you are advancing with your pictures – it’s fun to learn grow and change. I’ve always thought your pictures looked great – and the food delicious!
It looks really good, I always struggle with positioning and the lighting so try to look for inspiration on Instagram. I also tend to gravitate towards a lighter background or natural lighting so I don’t have to edit much. I think your photos look great. Nice post!
I really appreciated you sharing this pack- it looks beautiful. Photography can be so subjective – what I think may be aesthetically pleasing may not be to someone else.
Ooooh! I might have to look at this even if I don’t take good pictures! I’m sure this will work with books too! I always adore photos!
Your photos look so good! You always make your dishes look delicious. Thanks for sharing all about your new updates to your photography.
I’ve always loved your photography Soph, it’s interesting to read how you take your food photography! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
This seems like such a great service! And your pictures look fabulous. 🙂
I think the new pics with the darker background are great! I’ve always found indoor photography to be trickier than the outdoor photography I’m more used to, but as they say, practice makes perfect!
Oo, I love the foodie bag; especially the inclusion of styled photos and tips on the back to help you recreate the look. It is awesome to see you mix up styles and backgrounds a little bit. 🙂
The dark bg does look great! It made sense that it took a little getting used to but it makes the food colors pop and look brighter! Totally worth the effort.
I love your new photos! They are so amazing!
https://www.emilyclareskinner.com
Love these! I’m always so interested in learning about these photo kits for product or food photography. Thank you for sharing!
I love reading photography tips from actual bloggers who have the craft and do it all the time like me. I also prefer light backgrounds!
Rosie
Your photos look fab! Really love the backgrounds, really helps the food colours pop xx
I’ve always thought your photos look amazing and mouthwatering but it’s fun to have something to ring the changes too. I have a Selfie bag from the same company and it’s been a lot of fun using it (it also makes a fab beach bag too!) Lisa xx
Your photos look great! It’s always nice when you find a new background that works!
This is a great option for those who are interested in sharing their meals but not necessarily a photographer. While there will be some bloggers that LOVE photography, there are others that really aren’t that interested or just inexperienced in that aspect of it all. I love knowing that there is something like this to help them so that it isn’t holding them back.
I have always been impressed with your photos but these are fab! xx
I know I don’t tend to do much food content but I’ve always found taking photos of food the HARDEST thing to do. So I think your photos are brilliant and you do amazing to capture such great photos of the food you make!
I need to keep this in mind when I’m taking photos of food. Thanks!
I’ve always been a big fan of your photos, you make food photography look unreal and I know it’s incredibly difficult to get a good photo of a meal! I like the new backgrounds a lot; I actually really like the dark background! The light reflector sounds so helpful too, I may need to invest in one before winter creeps in.
This kit looks incredible!! If anything, it’s reminding me that I really want to invest in some reflectors/diffusers myself. You already take pretty fantastic photos in my opinion, so this can only add to that! xx
I really need to improve my photography in general x
You always take such beautiful photos, it always makes me want to try your recipes even more.