It’s the last week of my Food Photography course! It’s been a really fun six weeks and I know I’ve learned a lot. When I started the course, I just didn’t pay much attention to my pictures. I drooled over other people’s pictures and wished I could replicate them, but I didn’t really try because I just thought it would be too hard, too much work, insert whatever excuse. This class showed me that I can do it – it’s not too hard! It’s not too much work. It just takes attention and dedication.
The first thing we learned in class was to use natural light and plain backgrounds. Gulp. There went my flash and my kitchen island. I quickly figured out the best place for me to take pictures is on my covered porch in the late morning. I get a really nice, natural light there that helps my pictures a lot. I also sometimes have a really nice light streaming in my kitchen sink and I learned to pay attention to that, too!
For this class, we worked in a new-to -me photo editing platform called Pixlr. It took me a while to feel comfortable in that platform – it reminds me a bit of Photoshop and I’m easily intimidated by all of the options. But we learned to edit light levels, play around with the sharpness of our pictures, and how to lighten and darken specific problem areas without impacting the entire picture – good tools!
Taking pictures in auto mode? Not necessarily the best idea – but one that I used to use exclusively. I took a couple photography classes years years before, so working a camera wasn’t a totally new concept to me, but I always end up relying on auto mode. This class forced me to get away from it and do some things myself! I learned to play around with the aperture, shutter speed, and depth of field to see how they impact pictures as well. 
Finally, we learned about good styling, color combinations, and the rule of thirds – all very important concepts when it comes to creating fabulous pictures.
Now instead of eying other people’s photography skills with a jealous eye, I’m working to improve my own pictures. When I see a picture I really like, I try to figure out how to make it work in my world! I’m reading magazines with a new interest and getting much more creative in the kitchen. It’s wonderful!
Thanks, SoFab U for a great class! I’m really pleased with the new quality of my pictures.
About Michelle
Welcome! I'm Michelle and I'm glad you're here. Simplify, Live, Love is a blog about simple life in rural Iowa. We are a self-employed, frugal, green, mostly homeschooling family of 6 working to go off the grid on a modern day homestead in Eastern Iowa. Please subscribe for gardening tips, green living hints, recipes, fun giveaways, and frugal ideas. Thanks for stopping by.
Great photos! That photo of the bread, peanut butter and bananas is still my favorite. Love the texture in the wood.
Yes, now we can create our own drool-worthy food photos! Congrats.
Woo hoo! Drool worthy pics here we come!
Your awesome, Michelle! I love all your photos. I think that the strawberries one is my fave… I just like fresh! I have had fun in this course… so sad to see it go
Thanks, Rachel. Me, too. We’ll have to keep in touch.
Beautiful shots!! Wish I was a part of the first class, hoping next time, looks like you learned a lot!
Good luck, April. It’s a lot of fun.
Michelle
Your photos are beautiful! I had a great time in the class with you!
Thanks, Arlene! Me, too!
WOW! Great pics! I love the green peas! That is my favorite, but they are all great!
Thanks, Brandi. The pea picture was a fun shot. I grew them, so that makes it even more special!
Just….wow!
Thanks, Courtney!!
Such a wonderful collection of your work!! Your photos are lovely and I’m glad to have had the opportunity to explore your work in this course!
Thanks, Terri. I’m going to miss the class and working with all of you!
Hi, great work!! Can you please post the link for the school, cannot find it on line!! Thanks a lot–:))
Hi there, Thanks! It was a closed class for members of Social Fabric and Collective Bias. You can find out information about those groups by clicking on the links in the post. They’re always looking for great bloggers, if you blog!