For the most part, I consider myself to be a pretty creative and crafty kind of person. I really want to be able to share that side of me and post about the projects, crafts, recipes, and other creative organization ideas I have. The problem is that most of the time when I attempt to do this I discover that the photos I’ve taken of the project didn’t quite come out as great as I had hoped. Some are so bad, in fact, that I don’t even post them. 
That got me started down a road of self-teaching. Taking photos of objects, crafts, food, and experiences is much different than taking photos of people. I wanted to learn how to take better photos so I started researching how I could do that. Over the last few months I’ve gotten a lot better at taking photos for my blog but I am far from great and still have much to learn. I figured it would be cool if we could learn together.
Every Wednesday (starting 1-4-12) I will be posting a photo behind the photo. I’ll also let you know the tips I learned and applied to that particular photo shoot. Here is an example.
This is the photo as posted on my blog here: Rice Crispy Treat Recipe for the Holidays.
And here is the photo behind the photo.
My tip for this photo is use that early morning sunlight! I threw an old sheet over our patio table and had Carsten hold a white poster board behind the cake plate. I did not want an ugly old fence and our brick exterior showing in the photo of my rice crispy treats. That would be, bleh! Poster board is the perfect cover up for that.
BONUS PLAN: White reflects light so this set up caused the rice crispy treats to be lit up from all angles.
That’s it. That’s how this little adventure will work. If you want to join along with me I’ll have a link up ready for you to to link to. Just be sure you have a photo “behind the photo” as well as some tips to share. This should be lots of fun! I hope to even get some of my favorite photography blog buddies to help us out with some tips and such. I’ll be starting on January 4th so mark your calendars and be sure to follow the feed so you can share and learn along with us!
Happy dancin’ over this one, Amy! If I weren’t so focused on other areas, I’d dive into photography. I have sooo much fun with it! My sister (a photographer) shares tips with me and I’m so thankful! Looking forward to this one–there’s so much to learn!
This was very helpful… I will have to learn to take advantage of the sunlight we have up here during the winter. Thank you!
Amy, I’m so glad you will be posting a series on this very topic. I love to photograph people; especially children. But objects are another thing. I like how you used a white sheet for the background. There are times when I want to post a recipe and how I made it but my kitchen doesn’t look the best.
I love this! I am starting to find my self in the same situation. iStock credits can be spendy and for recipes, you’ll need to share your own photo anyways. I’m looking forward to this series! Side note: I’ve started checking thrift stores for cool plates and place mats to use for food photos. I was getting tired of white plates on my pine table. So far I’ve got a few great finds and each plate is around $1!
That is such a great idea, Nicole! I get some cool stuff at yard sales too. New accessories really give the photos a bit of charm. Have you read Plate to Pixel: Digital Food Photography and Styling by Helene Dujardin? She has some amazing tips and tricks for using ordinary, everyday items to make photos stunning.
Wow! The secret revealed. lol. I really enjoy taking picture. This tips surely helps me to sweeten my blog post. Thank you for sharing
Yes! My little man is my secret.
I’m glad you like it, Icha. I can’t wait to share more.
Yeah! Photography is my least favorite part of blogging. But, I am getting better. Looking forward to learning some great tips here. Calander marked, check!
Yay! I’m so glad you’ll be joining us.
I know the photography is one of the harder and more tedious parts of blogging but gosh, it brings such great rewards.
This is so great! Thanks for sharing! I really need to step up my game when it comes to taking photos for my blog.
Thanks for sharing!
Can’t wait to come back each week to read more!
Exactly! I want to step up my game too. Hopefully this will keep us all accountable to doing so.
Great idea- I will try to get it together so I can join you!
Awesome, Gina! I’ll be so glad to have you.