It was many years ago, probably 15 years or so, that I was talking to my husband about food photography. I was looking at a Mexican food take-out menu and I thought the photos of the dishes looked unappetizing.
I told him that this was the reason why I would NEVER take food photos. I told him that food was hard to photograph and I would never want someone to think my food was gross, just by the horrible photo I took.
Of course, this didn’t stop my fascination with food photography. I marveled at photos of beautiful food in cookbooks. And when blogs began to soar onto the internet, I found dozens with amazing food bloggers with photos that were perfect enough to make me drool on my keyboard.
But I knew I would never be one of those bloggers with beautiful food photos. I believe this so much that I didn’t even try to take photos. When I started my family blog in 2004, but if I shared a recipe, it was without photos.
But, in the middle of 2009, I found myself posting more often about food. I also read in several article that people would be more likely to read a blog post if it included a photo.
Well, darn. I started to realize that if I wanted to share recipes and talk about food, I needed to let go of my “never take food photos” thinking.
So, I did.
As I got started taking food photos, the one tip I had known for the longest time was DON’T USE A FLASH. Oh, what do food photographers know?? The photos I took with a flash weren’t that bad, were they?? Plus, many of my photos were taken at night, so what was I to do? (yes, they were that bad)
Home Cooking Memories officially started 2010. Working on my blog, trying new recipes, and taking photos of my food, truly made me happy. And it was around this time that I decided I should start learning. I wanted to learn about food blogging, recipe writing, and food photography. I wanted to improve. I was determined to do my best and learn everything thing I could.
Slowly over the last 2 years, I have improved. I can see a difference in my photos, but I also know that I still have lots to learn.
This week, I’m excited to share that I started an online photography course with the Social Fabric University — Campaign Photography with Sears Grilling.
Each week, I’ll be learning how to improve my photography and I will be sharing all of my assignments right here on my blog. I’m hoping that I can learn more about the technical side of photography, while also learning how to capture the best shots from the beginning, but how to edit photos effectively that do need some help.
Cool, huh? I can’t wait to share my progress with you all!
Disclaimer: I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Sears #CBias #GrillingIsHappiness. All photos and opinions are my own.
Tiffany says
How fun to be able to see your progression! I am ashamed to say I just recently learned how to turn my flash off… 🙂
I think the course is going to continue to be awesome; we’ve already learned so much!
Abigail Peterson says
So excited that you got a new camera and that you are going to learn to use it! I really NEED to take a class and learn how to use mine! Can’t wait to see your pictures!
Amanda says
first off I want to jump out and eat that pizza so yummy second I have a pretty pink camera as well, and third I am looking forward to all the excited this class this going to teach us!
Gina H says
I just started getting more and more into food photography, I’ve got a lot to learn but it’s so much fun!
Carolina says
Awesome! I look back at some of my earlier photos and cringe. I, like you, have come very far but feel that I have a lot to learn! 🙂
I can’t wait to read all the awesomeness that you’re learning. BTW – what program are you going to be using for editing?
brandie says
Thanks Carolina! I usually use Photoshop for my editing, but for the class, we are using Pixlr ( http://pixlr.com/editor/ ) since it’s free and readily available to everyone.
Alison says
I’m excited to be taking the class with you. 🙂 And its so neat that you posted photos of all your cameras.
brandie says
Thanks Alison! I keep holding onto these cameras…can’t seem to get rid of them. One of them doesn’t work at all, but my first one is used by my youngest.
the wicked noodle says
SO FUN!! I’m green with envy. I can completely relate to the food photography struggle. A book that really helped me is “From Snapshots to Great Shots” or something like that. It’s on Amazon and SO worth it!
Looking forward to seeing your posts!
brandie says
Thanks Kristy! I will definitely check that out one out. I’m always looking for recommendations on great photography how-to books.
Karen says
How exciting! I have been taking food photography courses for the last year or so and have seen a huge improvement. I will look forward to your posts!
brandie says
Thanks Karen!
LiztheChef says
Ha – we should start a club – similar background and I have the same dslr. Always so much to learn! Do you follow “White on Rice” – whiteonriceblog.com I have learned so much from Diane and Todd.
brandie says
Thanks Liz! I follow White on Rice here or there (can’t remember if it’s twitter, instragram, FB…), but haven’t read much of their articles on photography. Thanks for recommending that!
Lyuba says
I can’t wait to see how much we learn! I can’t even remember all the cameras that I’ve had, I have my two Nikons now and I love them 🙂
brandie says
I would love to do a post about all of my cameras, but with an exception of my last 35mm…and then all of my digital ones…I don’t have any before that. I do collect old cameras though and have a few of those. Maybe I’ll post about those one day.
Brandi says
How awesome to be able to see how you have grown with your photography! I have a long ways to go, but I’m looking forward to learning in this course.
brandie says
I think that’s what I am most looking forward to…being able to see our progress. I’m excited for not just my own but everyone else’s too!