We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Teodor Todorov

From a passionate professional photographer with 15 years experience

This course is going to teach you in short period of time:

Read more

From a passionate professional photographer with 15 years experience

This course is going to teach you in short period of time:

  • How to use artificial constant light to illuminate your photographs;

  • How to use the daylight as a key light;

  • How to set fast and cheap a home studio;

  • How to work with cheap backdrops and how to create backdrops yourself;

  • How to use reflectors and diffusers;

  • You’re going to fully understand the camera of your phone;

  • How to take the best out of the settings of your phone;

  • How to shoot on a tripod and off tripod;

  • How to take flat lays, straight ons and 45 degree shots;

  • How to use the portrait mode of your camera (live focus) and get that beautiful blurred background that makes your images look like professional;

  • How to use the focus of your camera properly;

  • How to take food photos with the Lightroom mobile application;

  • How to edit your food photos, usign Lightroom mobile application and Snapseed;

  • How to create food compositions that make your images recognizable;

  • How to level your camera, how to hold it properly and how to use the zoom of your camera;

What if I told you that you can take stunning food photographs with your mobile phone?.

Would you still want to spend thousands of dollars on professional equipment? I don’t think so.

Hi, I’m Ted Todorov. I’m a professional photographer and I have been doing professional photography for 15 years. I’ve been shooting many hotels, restaurants, restaurant menus, a lot of food.And over my practice I realized that the potential of the mobile phone is huge. And this was one of the reasons that I created this course for.

Who’s this course for?

If you’re an instagrammer this is the right course for you.If you’re a food lover, food bloggers or a chef this course is also for you.

This course is based on pure knowledge, less talking, more action.It is going to teach you everything that you need to know in order to take stunning, beautiful food photographs with your mobile phone at home on a budget.

Pay a close attention to the details

I break down the whole photo shooting process into tiny details.I’m going to show you and teach you how one composition could be shot with 5 different light angles and how the same composition could be illuminated with 3 different cheap lighting setups, I’m going to show you how to use the cheapest possible reflectors and defusers. And I’m doing all this, because I want you to know that one scene could be illuminated in different ways, with different light sources and even with the cheapest light, you’re still going to be able to take a fantastic shot.

In this course I’m going to show you all the mistakes that should be avoided. Again… this course is based on pure knowledge and practice.

The Smartphone Revolution

If you compare $400 investment on mobile food photography equipment against $5000 or $10000 or maybe even $15000 on a professional equipment for food photography the final result would be almost the same when it comes to websites, Instagram, Facebook or any other online presentation.

Continue reading to see why and when you should choose a Smartphone instead of a professional DSLR camera and heavy equipment…

Why mobile food photography?

Because with the mobile food photography you learn much faster and you are much more effective and everything happens much easier with a little investment.

If you compare $400 investment on mobile food photography equipment against $5000 or $10000 or maybe even $15000 on a professional equipment for food photography the final result would be almost the same when it comes to websites, Instagram, Facebook or any other online presentation.

You can not tell the difference. Of course if you need the image for print, let’s say for billboard or a magazine, you can tell the difference then, because the professional cameras, that’s the way they have been designed – the potential of the cameras, the quality of the cameras is completely different than the mobile phones.

But again, if you need the image for your food blog or your Instagram account, for Facebook, for your personal usage, then the mobile food photography is on the right spot. This is the thing that you need.

That’s why, if you want to save money, time, nerves, you’d better start with mobile food photography. You’d better learn what ISO is, what shutter speed is, what shallow depth of field is, how to use the daylight as a light source, how to use artificial constant light, how to compose your scenes, how to illuminate your scenes, how to choose the right backdrop for your scenes, how to turn an idea into a concept and to achive final results like the ones that you see, because the mobile food photography is the entry level, this is the doorway to the world of the professional cameras.

With mobile food photography you learn faster, you take the images much faster and easier, you make the composition much faster and easier, you don’t need any tethering cables, you don’t need a computer to see the scene and to make your life easier.

The mobile phone gives you lot of flexibility and opportunities. Take advantage of them. And I’m going to show you how to do it. And beside that, you edit the image much faster and much easier and the final step to upload the image is also faster and easier.

I think that all these benefits a quite enough to think twice when it comes to food photography courses.

Edit like a pro

The good preparation saves you time when it comes to editing.

The choice of the proper light source and it’s position, the proper camera settings, along with a good composition and the proper ratio will guarantee you a nice image that you won’t need much time to spend on editing. You will find all that in the course.

But in the course you’re also going to see and learn how all the images in this section have been taken and edited and you’re going to witness the entire process.

Everything is perfectly explained in details. You will be surprised how easy it is to turn yourself into a professional photographer and editor.

Mobile food photography is the entry level... or does it?

You know what happens? These days many people buy professional cameras, thinking that once they buy a professional camera they will start taking amazing food photos with the camera. Unfortunately in the real life it dosen’t happen this way, the reality is different.

Do you know that most of these people give up at the end of the first month after they have bought the camera. You know why? Because they need to deal with aperture, ISO, shutter speed, focus, different modes of the camera… they just get lost. And then you see that someone who have spent thousands of dollars on a professional camera, lenses and equipment. he’s not able to take as good images as these taken with a mobile phone, that costs between $350 and $400 second hand.

So, before you buy a professional camera, before you spent thousands of dollars on professional equipment, think twice. I’m not trying to stop you from buying professional equipment, the only thing that I want to do is just to save your time, your money and your nerves. As I mentioned the mobile food photography is the entry level.

For those who don’t want to become professional photographers, who don’t plan to develop a career as a professional photographer, this course is for you.

lso for those who plan to develop a career as a professional photographer, they can still use this course, because it’s going to teach you at least 80% of the knowledge that you need to know as a professional photographer.

I’m going to walk you through the entire working process, I’m not going to hide anything. So you will be able to see in real time what exactly happens through the screen of the phone. This is very important, nothing is hidden, everything is visible and will be revealed in this course.

I’m going to start with building up the home studio, I’m going to show you how to choose the right light source, how to use the daylight coming through your window as a light source and so on.

The whole idea of this course is to show you and to teach you how to take stunning food photographs at home on a budget. It’s all about creativity, knowledge and imagination.

I’m also going to edit all the images in the Lightroom mobile application and in Snapseed. And the final step that you have to do is just to upload your image to your Instagram account, Facebook or anywhere else that you want to upload your image.

You’re also going to be able to download the raw files of my images and to try to edit them yourself on your mobile phone, using Lightroom mobile application or Snapseed.

And I want you to do that, because I’m 100% sure that if I can do it, you can do it. Just follow me step by step, do as I do and you will be amazed with the final results.

You won’t believe that that was you taken all those images. One thing is guaranteed – at the end of the course you won’t regret a single minute of it.

It took me 6 months of hard work to put all the information together, to structure it, so I ca present it to you. It’s about knowledge that I want to pass through. Because I know that anyone can do it.

This content is precious. Pure knowledge, based on practice. That’s all I guarantee.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • You will learn how to take stunning food photographs with just a mobile phone and iphone
  • How to use lighting - detail explanation of the different light sources, positioning, diffusers, reflectors and more...
  • Backdrops, backgrounds, props - tips on finding them on a budget or even create some yourself
  • Professional editing, using lightroom and snapseed
  • How to use the different modes of your smartphone camera. shoot using the default camera app or lightroom
  • Focus modes explained in details. how to use portrait mode for better results.

Syllabus

The Basics
Equipment: Here is the equipment that you need
Lighting Equipment: Take a closer look at the lights that we'll be using in this
Backdrops: The right backdrop is the key
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches how to create visually appealing food photos using only a smartphone, which is ideal for bloggers and social media enthusiasts on a budget
Explores techniques for using readily available and inexpensive materials to create professional-looking food photography setups at home, which is useful for content creators
Covers editing food photos using Lightroom Mobile and Snapseed, which are free and accessible mobile applications, making it easy to enhance images on the go
Focuses on using mobile phones for food photography, which may not be suitable for those seeking high-resolution images for print media like billboards or magazines
Explores the settings and capabilities of smartphone cameras, which may require learners to familiarize themselves with the specific features of their Android or iPhone devices

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Mastering mobile food photography on a budget

According to learners, this course is a highly valuable guide for anyone wanting to improve their food photography using just a smartphone. Students frequently praise the practical, actionable tips that can be immediately applied, emphasizing the focus on using affordable equipment and existing mobile phones (Android and iPhone). The instructor is highly regarded for his passion, clarity, and real-world experience, making concepts like lighting, composition, and editing with Lightroom Mobile and Snapseed easy to understand. While it's considered excellent for beginners and enthusiasts aiming for better photos for social media or blogs, some more experienced photographers suggest it might lack depth on highly advanced techniques. Overall, learners report achieving significantly improved results.
Excellent starting point for new learners.
"As a complete beginner in photography, I found this course easy to follow and very helpful."
"Perfect for anyone starting out in mobile food photography or wanting to improve their Instagram feed."
"It demystified many photography concepts for me using my phone as the camera."
"I had zero experience, and this course built my confidence quickly."
Focuses on using budget equipment.
"It's amazing what results you can get with just a phone and cheap setups as shown in the course."
"Loved the DIY backdrop and affordable equipment suggestions. It saved me a lot of money."
"This course truly proves you don't need expensive professional gear for great food photos."
"I was happy to learn how to use simple things like foam core boards as reflectors."
Detailed guidance on mobile editing apps.
"The editing sections on Lightroom Mobile and Snapseed were very comprehensive and useful."
"I learned so much about editing my food photos using my phone with the instructor's guidance."
"The step-by-step editing demos for different images were excellent and easy to follow."
"Now I feel confident using mobile editing apps to enhance my food pictures."
Instructor is knowledgeable and clear.
"Ted is a great teacher, very clear and passionate about food photography. His energy is contagious!"
"The instructor explains complex ideas like lighting and composition simply and effectively."
"His real-world experience as a professional photographer shines through in his helpful tips."
"I found the instructor's guidance easy to follow and highly motivating."
Provides real-world, actionable advice.
"This course is full of practical tips and I can apply them immediately to my own food photography."
"Loved the step-by-step examples showing exactly how to set up a shot and edit on my phone."
"I appreciate the focus on actionable techniques rather than just theoretical concepts."
"I learned so many useful tricks for using my phone camera effectively for food photos."
May be too basic for experienced users.
"While good for basics, intermediate photographers might not find enough advanced techniques here."
"Felt some parts were very introductory if you already know basic photography principles."
"I hoped for a bit more technical depth, but it seems geared more towards enthusiasts than pros."
"If you have prior photography knowledge, some lessons might feel redundant."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Mobile Food Photography Masterclass for Android and iPhone! with these activities:
Review Basic Photography Principles
Refresh your understanding of fundamental photography concepts to better grasp the course's mobile-specific techniques.
Browse courses on Aperture
Show steps
  • Read articles or watch videos explaining the exposure triangle.
  • Practice adjusting aperture, shutter speed, and ISO on a camera (if available) or using a simulator.
  • Review composition techniques like the rule of thirds and leading lines.
Read 'Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs'
Gain a solid understanding of photographic principles to enhance your mobile food photography skills.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs'.
  • Read the book, paying attention to sections on composition and lighting.
  • Take notes on key concepts and examples.
Experiment with Lighting Setups
Practice different lighting setups using readily available materials to master the art of illuminating food photos.
Show steps
  • Gather various light sources (natural light, lamps, etc.) and reflectors (white cardboard, foil).
  • Photograph the same food item using different lighting angles and intensities.
  • Analyze the results and identify which lighting setups produce the most appealing images.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Food Photography Mood Board
Develop your visual style and refine your understanding of composition by creating a mood board for food photography.
Show steps
  • Collect images of food photography that you find visually appealing.
  • Organize the images into a mood board, either digitally or physically.
  • Analyze the common themes and elements in your chosen images.
Document Your Editing Workflow
Solidify your understanding of Lightroom Mobile and Snapseed by documenting your editing process for different food photos.
Show steps
  • Take a series of food photos under different lighting conditions.
  • Edit each photo using Lightroom Mobile and/or Snapseed.
  • Document each step of your editing process, including the tools and settings used.
  • Reflect on the impact of each editing decision on the final image.
30-Day Food Photography Challenge
Apply the course's teachings and hone your skills through a daily food photography challenge.
Show steps
  • Choose a theme or set of themes for your challenge (e.g., color, ingredient, cuisine).
  • Photograph a different food item each day, focusing on applying the techniques learned in the course.
  • Share your photos on social media or in a personal portfolio.
  • Reflect on your progress and identify areas for improvement.
Read 'Tasty Food Photography'
Deepen your understanding of food photography techniques and styling with a comprehensive guide.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Tasty Food Photography'.
  • Read the book, focusing on sections relevant to your specific interests and challenges.
  • Experiment with the techniques and tips provided in the book.

Career center

Learners who complete Mobile Food Photography Masterclass for Android and iPhone! will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Instagram Influencer
An Instagram influencer creates content to engage their audience and promote products, and visual content is a key component of this role; and this course helps build a foundation. The course is designed to teach how to take high-quality food photos with a mobile phone, which is a primary tool for an Instagram influencer, and it covers lighting, composition, and editing of images with Lightroom and Snapseed. The course also covers how to use the settings of your phone camera and also how to use the portrait mode for better results. An Instagram influencer should be able to create engaging content and this course specifically helps with the techniques necessary to do so.
Content Creator
A content creator produces engaging material that can be used across different platforms. This course may be particularly useful for a content creator focused on food content. This course teaches how to use mobile phone cameras to take professional-quality food photos with a focus on lighting, composition, and editing. The course emphasizes the potential of smartphone cameras and how they can be a cost-effective alternative to expensive professional equipment and this approach will be critical to a content creator using a mobile platform. A content creator should be able to create visual content that stands out, and this course provides the relevant skills and knowledge in this area.
Food Blogger
A food blogger creates and shares recipes, culinary experiences, and restaurant reviews, often accompanied by high-quality photos; and this course may be useful. The techniques taught in this course, such as how to use artificial and natural light, set up a home studio, and edit using Lightroom and Snapseed, are directly applicable to a food blogger's work. This course provides training in composition, camera angles, and photo editing, and the course may help ensure that a food blogger's photography will attract and engage their audience. A food blogger should understand mobile photography, and the emphasis of this course on mobile devices makes this course a good starting point.
Freelance Photographer
A freelance photographer works on individual assignments, taking photos for clients for different purposes; and this course helps build a foundation. The course teaches how to use mobile phones to capture professional-quality food photography, which can be a marketable skill for freelance photographers looking for entry-level work. The course teaches how to utilize artificial and natural light sources, how to set up a home studio, and how to use reflectors and diffusers. It also dives into mobile editing with Lightroom and Snapseed. A freelance photographer should understand composition, various camera angles and the basics of mobile photography, and this course provides exactly that.
Hobby Photographer
A hobby photographer enjoys taking photos for personal satisfaction, and this course provides useful skills. The course focuses on how to take high quality food photos with a mobile phone. This knowledge may be applied to many aspects of mobile photography. The course provides instruction on how to use natural and artificial light sources, how to set up a home studio, and how to edit images with mobile applications. The course teaches useful skills, and a hobby photographer can use these skills to improve their photography.
Social Media Manager
A social media manager curates and creates content for social media platforms. Visual content is key, and this course will be useful. This photography course teaches how to take high-quality food photos using a mobile phone. A social media manager needs to understand how to use the camera on a phone to its full potential, including the many settings, light sources, and composition. The course discusses mobile editing with Lightroom and Snapseed, so a social media manager can produce high-quality photo content with the tools available on their phone. It also teaches skills for creating food compositions that make images recognizable, and this helps elevate a brand’s image. This course may help a social media manager who wants to improve their content and reach their audience.
Restaurant Manager
A restaurant manager oversees the daily operations of a restaurant, including marketing and promotion, and this course may be useful. This course will be useful to a restaurant manager who wants to create compelling visual content for their restaurant's menu or social media accounts. The course provides techniques for using artificial and natural light, setting up a small home studio, and editing photos using mobile applications like Lightroom and Snapseed. The training on composition, camera angles, and using the camera features of a phone may be beneficial for a restaurant manager who aims to take professional-looking photos for online marketing. This course may improve their restaurant's online appeal.
Marketing Specialist
A marketing specialist develops and implements marketing strategies, often including visual content; and this course may be useful. The course provides specific techniques for taking high-quality food photos using mobile phones. A marketing specialist who understands mobile phone photography may find this course useful because it teaches how to utilize different light sources, set up a home studio, and use reflectors and diffusers. The course also covers how to edit food photos using mobile applications like Lightroom and Snapseed, and the techniques can enhance visual content of any marketing campaign. This may boost a marketing specialist's ability to create compelling content.
Chef
A chef is responsible for preparing food and planning menus; and this course will help build a foundation. This course focusing on mobile food photography may be useful for a chef who wants to take appealing photos of their dishes for social media or promotional purposes. The course covers camera settings, composition techniques, and lighting using artificial and natural sources. The course teaches how to use the settings of a phone, and how to edit using the Lightroom mobile app and Snapseed. A chef may use these skills to showcase their creations, whether online or in print and attract new customers.
Recipe Developer
A recipe developer creates and tests recipes, and they often need to produce quality images of the final product; and this course may be useful. This course teaches how to take high-quality food photographs using a mobile phone, which may be essential for recipe developers who want to document their recipes or share them across different platforms. The course covers the use of artificial and natural light, home studio setup, and editing with the Lightroom mobile app and Snapseed. A recipe developer should be able to photograph their work in a way that appeals to viewers, and this course provides training in the relevant techniques.
Digital Marketing Assistant
A digital marketing assistant supports digital marketing efforts, often including content creation and management, and this course may be useful. The course will help a digital marketing assistant who wants to improve the visual content they produce for a brand. The course teaches how to use the camera on a mobile phone for high-quality photos, how to work with lighting, and how to edit images for online use. A digital marketing assistant must be able to create compelling visual content, and this course may help build their foundational skills in mobile photography.
Culinary Instructor
A culinary instructor teaches cooking techniques, demonstrating methods and recipes; and this course may be helpful. Compelling food photography is a key skill for a culinary instructor to document their work or to create promotional material. This course shows how to use a mobile phone to take great food photography with techniques for lighting, composition, and editing using Lightroom and Snapseed. A culinary instructor may use this course to create visually stunning images of their food and dishes. The course teaches how to create food compositions that engage an audience, which is useful when showcasing their work.
Visual Merchandiser
A visual merchandiser creates visually appealing displays of products; and this course will be useful. Food photography skills are valuable for this role, especially when the products are food related. This course teaches techniques for using mobile phones to create professional-quality food photos. A visual merchandiser may need to create promotional or social media content. The skills in this course can be applied to different product and retail contexts, including lighting, setup, composition and editing using applications like Lightroom mobile and Snapseed.
E-commerce Store Owner
An e-commerce store owner manages the operation of an online store, including product presentation; and this course may be helpful. This course may be helpful to an e-commerce store owner who sells food related products. This course will be helpful for taking appealing and professional photos of their products. This course covers studio setup, lighting, camera settings, composition, and editing using Lightroom mobile and Snapseed. An e-commerce store owner may apply the techniques in this course to create product images, boosting the visual appeal of an online store, and enhancing their brand.
Personal Branding Consultant
A personal branding consultant helps individuals develop their professional image; and this course may be helpful. As visual content is increasingly important in personal branding, this course may be useful, as the course focuses on food photography with mobile devices, offering skills for anyone in the food industry. The courses teaches how to work with light and camera settings, and how to edit with apps like Lightroom mobile and Snapseed. A personal branding consultant may advise their clients on the importance of creating high-quality visual content, and this course will be useful for teaching their clients the basics of mobile phone photography.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Mobile Food Photography Masterclass for Android and iPhone!.
Comprehensive guide to food photography, covering everything from lighting and composition to styling and editing. It provides practical tips and techniques specifically tailored for food bloggers and photographers. This book expands on the course material by providing more in-depth guidance on styling and composition. It useful reference tool for improving your food photography skills.
Provides a visual and accessible introduction to photography principles. It breaks down complex concepts into easy-to-understand examples, making it ideal for beginners. While not specific to mobile photography, it builds a strong foundation for understanding composition, lighting, and exposure. It is best used as additional reading to supplement the course material.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser