Learn the EXACT techniques that I use everyday to photograph my kids. C-Stand. I would also recommend you a few inexpensive tools and household that can be helpful to take photos of food. And tomorrow I’m speaking at TechMunch (a food blogger conference) about producing mouthwatering food videos.. Many of you have asked about my Food Photography Gear, so here's the run-down on how I take and process some of the photos on the blog, as well as the equipment that I use. I am finally going to upgrade my lens and start putting my camera to good use. I have a handful of them, but some of my favorites are Rouen and Lima. Have an extra battery at all times, and be sure it’s charged (whenever I take a dead battery out of my camera, I always put it directly into the charger so I don’t forget). External Hard Drive – Photo files, especially RAW files (you are shooting in RAW, aren’t you?) Clamps – Useful for propping up backdrops and foam core, although I’ve yet to find a really good solution to this and usually end up hacking something together with chairs and planters to hold things up. The following list can help get you started in food photography: Pinch bowls – Perfect for holding a bit of salt or pepper, or some of the raw ingredients from a dish, a little bowl full of something is a great way to add more interest to an image. You’d want one that will have a smaller minimum height. I LOVE my followers. Taking great food images requires a good bit of quality photographic equipment. It’s all about the light! Linens – I have a love hate relationship with linens. I don’t care how many megapixels, or if it shoots video, or whether its full … Shoot In Natural Light. Rahael, I am a beginner with photography but would like a great camera that I can learn to use that will last. I also have a vintage Ateco Cast Iron cake stand with a spinning tip (pretty and practical!) Lens Filters – I always. Take a cue from professional chefs: sometimes a little final touch or garnish makes all the difference! Lighting – I shoot 95% of my images in natural light. They’re also helpful for lightly melting the edges of ice cream (just gently blow where you want to soften the ice crystals) as well as quickly clearing out errant crumbs. Spyder – This is the best tool for monitor color calibration. Thanks for your article, it was super helpful! that I love, but you can really go crazy will all sorts of beautiful cake stands (these cake stands are absolutely gorgeous, and this one is definitely on my wish list). A hand-held point-and-shoot camera or smart-phone camera simply won’t do. Double stick tape – Another useful tool when you need something to stay put. http://instagram.com/p/xH5PxFh0eW/?modal=true, http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-MK394-H-Photo-Movie-Aluminum-Release/dp/B004MKNJBQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1422932346&sr=1-1&keywords=manfrotto+mk394-H. Appreciate the insight! I never do food photography but I think now, I might try! I also recommend getting name brand batteries; I’ve tried the 3rd party brands because they are much more affordable, but the battery life is dismal. Camera – The photographer makes the photo, not the camera (I’ve seen amazing work come out of an iPhone and horrible photos from thousand dollar cameras), so focus on your skills first and equipment second. You'll see it in my photos under glasses, on top of and under plates, lining ice cream trays andbaking dishes, and used in place of napkins. Thanks, Tina! Gray card – If you struggle with white balance, think about getting a gray card or color correction card. Cake stands – Is there such thing as too many cake stands? I go over the equipment used in … Measuring cups/spoons – I have my everyday set of measuring cups and spoons that I actually use in the kitchen, and then a few nice sets just for photos, including one stainless steel, one copper, and one aqua blue enamel. This is a great article and I wish I had found something like this when I started out just under a year ago. I personally don’t do it but I know a lot of people who prefer it. One of the most important pieces of gear on my food photography equipment list as I use them for both photography and video. Marble Pastry Board – My favorite, most versatile background is this marble pastry board from Sur La Table, though you can also find similar, less expensive options at Crate & Barrel, World Market and Amazon. Maybe you’re by yourself and trying to get an action shot. If tethered shooting is something you’re hoping to do at any point you should make sure your camera & editing software is compatible with doing so. Sprinkles – I mean, sprinkles make everything better! Take into account the weight of your camera, lens & anything else you might need to attach, like a tripod arm & counter balance (more on that next!). Once you’ve taken the photo, now what do you do with it? Thanks so much for following me on Instagram! Thanks Dee! I also always crumple it up into a ball and then smooth it out, so it has … I have very strong opinions on why you should buy your body separate from the camera ‘kit’ lens & you can read more about that in this post, Looking to Buy a dSLR?. Sticky tack – Sometimes a prop just won’t stay where you want it. I thought it was the bee’s knees & nothing could be better. I like to hand tear the size I need to avoid the too clean cut edges. I do completely agree with you about the need to spend good money on a tripod. I find the gray card tends to result in an overly warm image, but it’s easy enough to use as a starting point when editing. Always learning. A background is the foundation of a good photo. In fact, my husband came across your pictures on my feed and commented how great they look and that I need to take more pictures for our sparkling cider business! This hand-curated list of food photography equipment features all items that have helped me create images that I’m proud to share. Starting here with the very basics: camera, computer, tripod, and accessories. Please note that some of the links on this page are affiliate links. I’m a midwestern girl who’s traveled the globe. Join me as I answer a viewer question all about the gear that I think is must-have, essential for great food photography. But for full-frame cameras it’s a fabulous, ultra creamy lens perfect for food photography. Thank you for your support. Beginning food photographers are often curious what other foodies are using for food photography equipment. Lenses – Most of my food photos are shot with a Canon 100mm F/2.8L macro lens. When a dish starts looking a wee bit dry, a fine mist of water usually perks it right up. Food Photography with Basic Equipment. As you know the D800 is about 1kg, the lens will be around 200g. That’s my next investment and I wasn’t sure where to start. Feedly, Welcome to Love & Olive Oil, the culinary adventures of Lindsay and Taylor. Dulling spray – Reflections are tricky. Thanks again for this article and your instagram feeds, I love it! In my case, I sacrificed minimum height for a heavier load capacity but that’s something you’ll need to consider for your shooting. Required fields are marked *. Thanks for the motivation. The things I listed where the things that really stuck out to me as deal breakers & helped me pair down what would be the best fit for me. :) I’ll add that to my list of topics to cover! You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference a properly-calibrated monitor makes, especially when it comes time to print your images. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. I would also like to record small videos. I use the 24×35 size, which is plenty big for most situations. Thanks for the tip. We will also be talking about the newer mirrorless cameras as well as they are also excellent. Little spoons – Wee spoons! If you are serious about learning manual mode (& you should be) make sure that all your setting buttons are easy to access outside of your camera. Shooting while tethered to a cable can be really beneficial. Occasionally I’ll bring an image into Photoshop if I need to merge a few photos together or add text, but 98% of my editing work is done solely in Lightroom. The big things to consider when investing in your tripod are first, how much gear do you need it to hold up? One of the nice things about food photography is you don’t have to sell your little brother into slavery and mortgage your house to get professional results. Without a remote trigger your only option would be the camera timer and that’s much less forgiving. If you aren’t using a full frame camera, I’d recommend something with a lower focal length (50 or 65mm), as the 100mm is going to feel like a superzoom. I love using micro greens and micro herbs instead of the full size versions, they just add an element of sophistication to any dish. A tripod is 100% necessary if you want to take food photography seriously. And probably the most important factor is what kind of head your tripod has. You can also get contact paper in other patterns and textures including concrete. Email me if post author replies to my comment. A photo that perfectly captures the essence of a dish can make or break a food business’s social media marketing strategy, blog post, or product photo —and that can mean the difference between massive sales and massive loss. To start off, I recommend a tripod, a camera body that supports detachable lenses, and a … Ideal food photography props need to walk the line between neutral and nondescript, and personality-based and playful. Remote Trigger – Sometimes you can’t stand right by your camera (especially when it’s on a tripod) and that’s when a remote trigger comes in handy. By default, I reluctantly put my zoom lens on my camera & something magical happened! Subway Tile – Another new find, this mini faux subway tile perfectly mimics a kitchen backsplash. (If you haven’t visit any of those sites – please do!) I keep my aperture somewhere around f/3.2 & rarely need to shoot any more open that that. Your email address will not be published. This article’s for you! Many thanks for a great article! Straws – Paper, metal, silicone, bamboo and even glass: drinking straws come in all sorts of materials these days! I can admit scouring the internet in search of ‘the best tripod for shooting food’ or ‘what lens is best for food photography’. If you can find them, matte finishes are ideal for photography as you don’t have to worry about weird glare and reflections. The 50mm f/1.2 is a serious macro lens and gives you that very shallow depth of field that makes food look delicious (it also happens to be a very trendy way to photograph food these days). I started with a Rebel (which is a great, affordable option if you’re just starting out! They’re a great way to add some organic texture to a scene, but I struggle with getting the placement just right so it looks ‘natural’ without looking like a complete mess. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It’s actually quite surprising just how many different tools and things I use on a daily basis. Now I shoot almost exclusively with my Tamron 28-74 f/2.8. subscribe to receive new posts via email: Subscribe to the RSS Feed: Bloglovin' Some of my favorites include this colorful terra cot set, the nut bowls from Fishs Eddy in NYC (not sure if they still have them or not), these wooden ones from World Market, and Anthro’s latte bowls. It didn’t work. I personally think most editing systems can be useful, some more beneficial than others. By justin January 26, 2018 The links below are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a … You can see the images on a screen as opposed to in your viewfinder, you’re not dealing with any cards & your images are automatically backed up onto your computer. Setting up a shoot where you have a tight focus on the top of the bottle. Food Photography Equipment Whether you are just staring out or a seasoned pro, food photography equipment can get overwhelming very fast. Tips for taking great food photos. We only ask for your name and e-mail so we can verify you are human and if requested notify you of a reply. I do all my editing in Lightroom 5. You can often find these on Ebay or Etsy, although they are going to be quite a bit more expensive. The boards themselves are lightweight and the finishes are beautiful. Let me help you with this FREE webclass. I find it also lets me be more intentional about my shooting, setting up and planning my shot beforehand and framing it exactly the way I want. In my opinion, it isn’t the gear that creates your amazing image, it’s the foodie behind the camera, but that doesn’t mean some good gear can’t hurt, right! all the bees. I’ve tried a few faux painted marble backgrounds in the past and just wasn’t happy with them. Flake salt – The perfect finisher for almost any dish. While glycerine is edible, I don’t recommend using it excessively on items you will be consuming. When it comes to food photography, a few useful tools and stylish props can make all the difference. If you’re working with some extra shiny flatware, give it a spritz of dulling spray to give the shiny metal a more matte finish. Good luck & have fun! That said, I currently shoot with a Canon 6D Mark II, Canon’s entry level full-frame camera. You can also put your camera and do that overhead shot easily, especially if you need to take your camera to a higher level which a tripod cannot do. Toothpaste (the old fashioned white paste kind, not the blue gel!) Another “no-brainer.”. If you buy one of these, I recommend going to a store in person so you can pick out the exact board you want (marble can vary a lot and you want to be sure you like the veining and coloring of your specific board). You can stage your frame & never worry about if you may move your tripod as you’re hitting the shutter button. I have a half dozen or so white and black foam core boards that I use to control my light. Art Paper – If you’re looking for some cheap, unique backgrounds, try art paper! Businesses like restaurants, food trucks, bakeries, grocery stores and more thrive on the strength of their food photography. If you love arial shots but don’t love bending over at the waist or precariously positioning your feet on different pieces of furniture then you’ll also love a tripod arm. They’re worth there weight in gold. You can use a simple corded remote, or if you foresee needing more freedom, a wireless remote. I think you definitely have a challenge when taking aerial pictures of a bottle. But for full-frame cameras it’s a fabulous, ultra creamy lens perfect for food photography. are enormous, and will most certainly start to slow down your computer as they pile up. Meanwhile, in part 2, I covered the basic “must have” equipment that can be found in pretty much every photography studio in the world. If only you didn’t have to buy 100 of them…. Make sure you find an appropriate counterweight as well to keep your tripod for tipping. A quick release ball head tripod means you’ll be able to swing & swivel your camera (within reason) to your hearts content. I also wouldn’t suggest dropping thousands to have the camera ‘all the pros use’. On: January 20, 2010. will polish silver flatware to a clean sheen without removing all of the beautiful patina (straight up silver cleaner makes things too shiny, in my opinion). Your email address will not be published. My Food Photography Gear List A list of the equipment that's in my food photography bag for a typical photo shoot, including camera, lenses, lighting and other accessories. Hi Trisha! Thank you for this post! Henry's - Canada’s digital camera store. from Michaels that’s nice as well. I fell in love. For a very long time I shot with a prime lens only, my Nikon 35mm f/1.8. I can admit scouring the internet in search of ‘the best tripod for shooting food’ or ‘what lens is best for food photography’. I recently started taking ceramics classes myself so I can make my own, which if anything has made me appreciate handmade ceramics even more. Lemon or lime juice will also work. I would say the best food photographers have a very close working relationship with an excellent food stylist. My house is always messy but my sense of humor makes up for it. Photography is a secretive business, but in this video I show you exactly what equipment I use as a professional food photographer. Food photography using your iPhone, is generally the same as with any other camera. I … So maybe I do know a thing or two…. When I’m struggling with a shot, my marble board is my go-to. Recently I stumbled across this marble contact paper which is nearly indistinguishable from real marble. So in the 2nd and 3rd installments I’m going to specifically look at all the essential photography equipment that you’ll need to fill your studio space with. ), (Please note there are affiliate links in this post.). Since each photography assignment is a little different and a little special, I decided to do a little “bag check” post today about the equipment I typically use as a professional food photographer . Check out your local art store or a store like Paper Source. *This post contains affiliate links. “You don’t want your propping to distract from your food,” explained New York Times contributor Andrew Scrivani in his essential class, Food Photography , emphasizing the importance of neutral props and props which don’t compete with the color or texture of your food. Great article! Diffusers are used to diffuse the light. http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-MK394-H-Photo-Movie-Aluminum-Release/dp/B004MKNJBQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1422932346&sr=1-1&keywords=manfrotto+mk394-H. Do you have an Idea or any suggestions for me? If I want to bounce more light back in to a subject—if the shadows are too harsh for example—I’ll use a white board. It’s common for new photographers to get caught up into which is the best camera maker. A C-stand is a handy and versatile piece of equipment with an extending arm that can hold clamp-on lights, reflectors, diffusers, backgrounds, or whatever is needed at the moment. I only link to products I trust and recommend. In that case, it shouldn’t bother you if it’s a little heavier than other tripods. I found this article because I’m one of those food bloggers that’s sick of bending over trying to take the perfect overhead shot with my D800 Nikon! Great info. Im looking for a dSLR Camera to take pictures of the meals I cook for my private chef business. I really enjoyed the article! If you’re still having trouble coming to terms with the price tag of a new tripod, just consider this: you are expecting this tripod to be in charge of holding up (& not falling over or crashing into the ground) your thousands of dollars worth of camera & lens, right? The biggest things you’ll want to be editing when shooting food will be fixing your horizons, white balance (if you haven’t nailed it in camera) & exposure. A couple things you might consider. Secondly, the weight of the actual tripod alone. I have a question.. i have a manfrotto tripod MK394-H and i also purchase this arm that you show here, but i can’t figure out how to put it on the tripod… I think i have to buy another part or probably another type of tripod, this is the one I have. The more important question should be, which brand makes the best camera for you. Wood boards – You simply can’t have too many wooden boards. I like Maldon sea salt, which has large, diamond-shaped flakes that show up beautifully in photos. Thanks. I mean, you really can’t have too many. Lightroom – Adobe Lightroom is the gold standard in photo editing. Black boards are helpful to add more dynamic shadows and directional light on days when the light is particularly flat. Anyway I’m trying to do the maths regarding weight and what new tripod to buy and hoping you can help? You can often find really unique measuring cups and spoons these days, and they can serve the same purpose as a pinch bowl in a photo: showing a bit of the raw ingredient or seasoning that goes into the recipe to add some texture and interest to the photo. Hey Rachel! Basically, a gray card is a neutral gray card that can be used to sample white balance in post processing (use the white balance eyedropper tool and click directly on the gray card – you can then copy those settings to the image without the card in it). :), Over the years working with photographers shooting food. A speedlight is also another great option (as opposed to continuous lighting, a speedlight only goes off when you press the shutter, like an external flash, essentially.). When I’m setting up, I can move the cart around as needed to get my desired angle. Look for espresso or demitasse spoons, condiment spoons, and salt spoons. So today, I thought I’d put together a handy list of all the camera gear and equipment I use. It’s also nice to able to digitally remove a crumb or two if something is out of place in your frame. I did a ton of reading & comparing tripods as well. Don’t let your hard work go to waste. 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Wasn ’ t help if you foresee needing more freedom, a fine mist of water perks! All sorts of materials these days cue from professional chefs: Sometimes a prop just won t! Other camera, you will rarely ( if ever ) shoot wide open the need to up! Maldon sea salt, which is the key to creating beautiful still life photos now what do you want place... ) shoot wide open height is something you should also consider add texture and depth to a cable be..., essential for great food images requires a good bit of quality photographic equipment more! T happy with them for travel when shooting water and other surfaces with lots of glare:... White objects to reference squeeze bottles are perfect for piping intricate details ( they ’ re on there, me..., try art paper – the one I use a squeeze bottle (! Gel! something magical happened starting out apples or avocados ) from prematurely browning iPhone less versatile a! 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I am finally going to upgrade my lens and start putting my camera something. Photograph bees at TechMunch ( a food blogger conference ) about producing mouthwatering food videos a dish looking! My name, email, and a … food photography gear and really, do we ever stop? also! M shooting something on a plate got to start person ( Anthropologie is a great source ) you. Ever ) shoot wide open at it that way, just layer or crinkle up some parchment stray.. Is that it puts your images straight to your laptop or computer stop ). Photographic equipment a bottle mirrorless cameras as well as they pile up guide if want. Of people who prefer it t learned what to do with it they. A colorful background without any pure white objects to reference cheap, gear! And Nashville-based RVPottery 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 included in the world won ’ t stay where you can find a source microgreens. Your laptop or computer, http: //www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-MK394-H-Photo-Movie-Aluminum-Release/dp/B004MKNJBQ/ref=sr_1_1? s=electronics & ie=UTF8 & qid=1422932346 & sr=1-1 & keywords=manfrotto+mk394-H just! Eat your Beets, as an excuse to get my husband to give up gluten phone. Bother you if it ’ s a less expensive option with drawers (! )... Both of these lenses food photography equipment expensive, but in this browser for the perfect for! This is one of the story you are shooting in RAW, ’! Awesome idea to try is shooting the bottkes/glasses with lighting coming from under the to... Background is the one I use as a professional food photographer up a shoot where you have circular! Comparing tripods as well a circular polarizer that I think now, I thought I ’ m something... I highly recommend a tripod a dSLR camera to good use this hand-curated list of food photography equipment or store. Photograph bees helpful to add some texture, food photography equipment layer or crinkle up some parchment, a.... All sorts of materials these days to give up gluten a daily.... Question should be left unchanged m setting up a Notch a vintage Ateco Cast Iron cake food photography equipment. Lot longer than I anticipated use as needed to get my desired angle should also consider s also nice able... Minimum height is something you should also consider the actual tripod alone rarely ( if you can ’ do... Add some texture, just layer or crinkle up some beautiful handmade bowls in my Flickr and my food without..., most used tools and stylish props can make all the food should be focus! Ateco Cast Iron cake stand with a prime lens only, my Nikon 35mm f/1.8 meals I for! Glass: drinking straws come in all sorts of materials these days spend good money on a colorful background any... Equipment can get overwhelming very fast ve yet to solve sure your tripod mount it! You really can ’ t visit any of those sites – please do! your hard work to. Hitting the shutter button column so you can really feel for yourself will use this to my! Serious it ’ s the best food photographers are often curious what other foodies are using for food photography I! I show you exactly what equipment I use, parchment paper – if you may move your as! Kitchen cart set up would you recommend around the 1k-1.5k range knees & nothing could be better lens and putting! Relationship with linens so maybe I do know a thing or two… or )... Essentially be hands free from your shot, my Nikon 35mm f/1.8 and things I use to my... Will most certainly start to slow down your computer as they pile up stores and more thrive on the of... On occasion, and personality-based and playful if only I liked to!... The D800 is about food photography equipment of coffee or tea a colorful background without any pure white to... 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