Trying to improve my food photography

[kellysaurusrex]

Hello! I'm suuuper new here, but I've been into photography for quite some time. I also enjoy baking, and have a blog dedicated to sharing my cupcakes (URL provided on request, not trying to use DPS to advertise haha). I've been trying to get better with my food photography, looking up all kinds of tips online, which actually brought me to DPS in the first place. This morning was my first attempt at food photography with the new techniques I've learned, and I would love some input:



The rest of the set can be viewed here.

Exif data

Camera Canon EOS REBEL T1i
Exposure 0.02 sec (1/50)
Aperture f/5.0
Focal Length 42 mm
ISO Speed 400

The images were shot with my Canon Rebel EOS T1i, using both the kit lens and my 100mm USM macro lens, with the camera mounted on a tripod near a window (as I've read that natural light is best for food).

I guess I'm looking for feedback regarding the composition of the set, in particular. I've recently purchased a number of unique dishes and plates from thrift stores just for food photography, and am still kind of wary about how to use them. I love this milkglass plate, but would love feedback on the ideal scale of the food in regards to the dish or plate and other props.

Thanks in advance!

[edbayani]

not bad for a first attempt. only thing i can say is it can stand a little cropping at the top and
use a white cardboard reflector so the end of the food nearest the camera shows some detail.
if you can also check your white balance so the milkglass plate won't have a cyan tint.
anyway, this shot can be corrected in pp.

[kellysaurusrex]

Thank you, edbayani. I have been meaning to pick up some white foam board to use as a reflector for some time now, I just need to remember to actually do it when I'm at the store! I tried correcting the white balance and brightening some of the darker shadows, here's what I came up with:



Any better?

[edbayani]

beautiful, 100% better. next time, experiment with the foam board wrapped with crumpled aluminum foil for more light to hit the dark area of the (brownie or food for the gods?) and a piece of cardboard, cut to about 1 inch wide to put a shade on the top area of the milkglass to reduce a little bit of the light to avoid washing out the beautiful pattern of the plate.

[rengles]

what I would LOVE to see in the right top corner is a heaping slightly-out-of-focus pile of that delicious-looking goodness!! just an idea