food photography: from my perspective - by a beginner, for a beginner - part 5

When I shared a few of my behind-the-scenes pictures along with explanations on my Facebook Page, I was pleasantly surprised to see that a lot of people are interested to learn some food photography tips.  So here's another behind-the-scenes food photography post along with my comments on the thought process that went behind it, why I added what I did, some tips and tricks, and simple food photography from my perspective.

This is one heavy photo-loaded post.

food photography: behind-the-scenes - by a beginner, for a beginner - part 4

I love seeing the before-after images of people, places, and objects.  I love watching backstage footage of performers before or after a stage show.  I love seeing making-of of movie scenes and album songs.  I love watching bloopers on YouTube videos.  I love seeing behind-the-scenes photos of an event.

If you feel the same as I do, this post is for you.  This post has some of the behind-the-scenes pictures of food photos I have clicked over the last year.  A lot of us learn a much more from a behind-the-scenes picture than we do from the final image.  Here I'm sharing some of my behind-the-scenes secrets (*cough*).

food photography: small changes, small differences - by a Beginner, for the Beginner, part 3

You learn a little more each time you see gorgeous food photos, and you take a new step of improvement each time you click more food photos.  You try to do things better than the previous shot.  Some times, you make changes on your camera, some times you make changes to your set ups, and some times you make changes to your own position.

Here are some examples of how small changes in a setting, small changes in your angle, or small changes in the set up brings small differences in the photos.

Have you played "spot the differences" when you were kids?  I want you to do the same - look at each picture and comment below the one major difference you notice in each photo.

Food Photography: Makeshift Props on a Budget – By a Beginner, For the Beginner, Part 2

Another food photography post, as promised after the previous (Food Photography: Light), was long overdue.  But a comment today triggered me to write one.  Because while all the “great clicks” and “looks tempting” type of comments blinds your eyes, there comes a person who opens them, pushing you to do better.

With all due respect to the realistic commenter who gave her constructive criticism (about my photos not being as good as another blogger's), there are some things about comparing one blogger’s food photography with another, that as an amateur food photographer I’d like to share.  I know it’s normal to compare, but there are several factors that make a difference.  Props collection and creative vision, for starters.

Food Photography: Light – By a Beginner, For the Beginner, Part 1

I do not claim to be an amazing photographer like the experienced, creative and popular food bloggers, food stylists, or food photographers around the world.  I am nowhere close to professional and still consider myself a newbie since I began blogging in 2011.  I have not attended any photography workshops or bought any of the brilliant books on food photography.

But as a self-learner, I have read tips and tricks on photography sites, observed numerous food photos on websites and personal blogs, and watched plenty videos.  I made notes as I learned anything new from anywhere and used trial-and-error as time passed.  And even though I may not have applied most of the learning and observation, I know I still have a long way to go and enormous room of improvement.

So, why am I still writing this post?