Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Photographers!
I have questions. Many questions.
So, my camera was decent enough when I got it four years ago - it was on the cutting edge between DSLRs and point and shoot cameras, but now, as I'm using it more and more for food photography, I'm noticing all sorts of limitations. So, I think I'm going to start saving up for a new one. Any recommendations?
Also - tutorials? If anyone has any websites they'd recommend for teaching a novice, that would be awesome too.
Lastly, and this is a stupid question perhaps, I've noticed that my food looks butt ugly when photographed under the incandescent lights, even though my camera has a setting to try and compensate for that. Given how early it gets dark here, it's almost impossible for me to use natural light if I'm cooking past 4 pm. I know there's no perfect substitute for natural light, but I'd settle for something that doesn't make my food look unnaturally orange. Anyone ever tried shooting in a room that uses those sunlight-mimicking bulbs? Would that do the trick?
Re: Photographers!
I don't have any advice about the lighting situation. I think you may have better results with a new camera though, honestly, because there are a bunch of different settings for when you are in different lighted situations.
as far as choosing a camera, I would definitely go dSLR. I bought mine last summer and I have it with me almost everywhere. as far as choosing which one is right for you, I would check out this site. she also has really good tutorials. I got the Canon Rebel Book For Dummies for Christmas and I love it so far, although I've learned on my own the ins and outs of my camera. it just takes a lot of practice, that's all.
TTC since October 2010 | BFP 12/29/11 | RRQ BORN 08/26/12
planned | married | blogged
You really have to check out this blog: http://jenncuisine.com/ and there is also this post: http://www.texaschicksblogsandpics.com/the-most-enjoyable-photo-shoot-ever-hiccup/ (sorry, I suck at links)
Jenn (the food blog author) is amazing at food photography and I also love her HDR photos and landscapes. Her resources section has tutorials and links that are very helpful and will give you more than enough inspiration and resources to get you started. I believe Jenn uses reflectors for her food photos to help with some of the lighting.
I am most definitely not a lighting expert and struggle with it, so I'm not much help. Take my lighting advice with a grain of salt because I pretty much only do natural light. However, your problem may be white balance issues. I generally keep my camera on Auto WB or use the "cloudy WB" if I am taking multiple photos in the same lighting conditions, then I fix WB issues during post processing.
As for buying a new camera, AFWells blog explains it perfectly and will help you decide what will work for you. Jenn uses a 105mm macro lens for a lot of her food photos, which would require a DSLR. I don't know if she uses an external flash, but a good Speedlight will allow you to bounce your flash so you don't have the harsh direct lighting. Again, I'm not great with lighting and I still struggle with my speedlight, but the blogs I mentioned should help you out.
Hope this helps.
I second the blog Mandee suggested. She has a ton of helpful info.
Here are a couple more pages I have bookmarked:
Two Peas: Good intro to different settings
http://sites.google.com/site/biowbiow002/twopeas_12week
I don't remember this page, but it seems to answer your question
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-get-better-digital-photos-in-low-light-conditions-without-using-a-flash
My next purchase will most likely be a speedlite because of the same dilemma. Our house doesn't get much sunlight so I'm often shooting in the yucky indoor lighting. But I agree with Mandee, with the right settings you can probably overcome the issue.
I'm just starting the tutorial on the Two Peas site Stephkay listed above.
A photographer friend recommend I get Professor Kobre's Lightscoop to help with shooting indoors. It just came in last night, so I haven't had a chance to play with it yet.
TTC since October 2010 | BFP 12/29/11 | RRQ BORN 08/26/12
planned | married | blogged
Alyson & Phil | Planning Bio | Married Bio!
Dates & Quinces Blog