Simple and Affordable Tools, Techniques & Accessories to Improve Your Food Photography: Part III

A lot of bloggers, and even some friends who like photography, asked to see the presentation I did with Alice Currah last month at BlogHer Food 2011. I promised I would put up an abbreviated version on the blog, so here is the third part.


In part three, Alice and I talked about accessories and other touches that can add a more professional look to your blog's food photography. Best of all, we get to see some of Alice's great photographs and read her perspective on creating beautiful food images. 

Alice: I often look for plates with a a little bit of texture, in neutral colors with a non-glossy finish such as dishware made with clay. You get the least amount of reflection and they photograph nicely. Also, when buying neutral colored dishware, it opens you up to mixing and matching with other pieces you own without having to commit to a whole set of dishware. Much like khaki pants or the little black dress. You can build your scene around basic dishes and make it unique every time.
Because we're working with photographs, using smaller plates will allow you to get more visual content within each frame. This is especially true when it comes to still life photography. Great places to buy inexpensive dishware are Cost Plus, Big Lots, Home Goods, Daiso, dollar stores, estate sales, thrift stores, garage sales, Ikea, Craigslist, Ebay and Etsy.
Quilter's squares, paper napkins, fabric remnants or old linens you have in your closet make great additions, but should be used as accent pieces. After all, we are photographing food, not to be outdone by the accessories.

 I have an eclectic collection of jars I have accumulated over the years depsite my husband's many attempts to recycle them. He sees them as just jars and packaging, I see them as potential props.

Textured and aging materials photograph the best. Old silverware, beat up wood from the backyard, old fence pieces, shutters, cement, dressers and coffee tables. If it looks worn, don't throw it out!

You can find tile, stone, marble and slate remnants at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Craigslist and construction yards. Ask at the the stone store if they have any remainders or extra pieces in the back. They'll often give them to you at a discount.

Look at what's around you--torn up paper bag, the backside of a platter...some of my favorite items to shoot on are my seasoned stainless steel wok, cast iron skillet, stained cookie sheets and baking stone. Broadening your perspective and knowing what to look for will help you see the items in your home in a whole new way. The more beat up it looks, the better.

Other cheap props are colored poster board, painter's drop cloth (nice linen look), scrap book paper, hand made paper and foam core.
Next week, we'll take a look at composition and some other aspects of photographing food for your blog, such as restaurant photography and smart phone photography.