Food Photography: Capturing Food in Your Kitchen from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Take beautiful photographs of food in your home.
Compose a variety of mouth-watering food photographs that tell your food's story
Create a unique setting and style for your own food photography

Control natural light in your home to shoot better photographs
Edit your food photographs to make them look even better

Take beautiful photographs of food in your home.
Compose a variety of mouth-watering food photographs that tell your food's story
Create a unique setting and style for your own food photography
Control natural light in your home to shoot better photographs
Edit your food photographs to make them look even better

Syllabus

Learn the basics of taking better photographs of your food. You'll learn how to pick a location, prepare and light your food, choose a camera, compose beautiful shots, and edit them to make them pop!

Welcome to the DIY food photography course. In this video, Will introduces himself and what this course is all about. We're so excited to have you on board and can't wait to see your new photos!

Join the Official Student Photography Group | Food Photography Course

Before you even think about snapping your photos, the first thing you need to do is choose the best location for your setup. In this lesson of the food photography course, Will gives you tips for choosing the best location in your house.

The next step in food photography is to prepare your food for being photographed. This includes setting up your food with a nice background, adding accents that relate to your main dish, and moving things around to look nicely.

Tips to Improve Your Course Taking Experience | Food Photography Course

When it comes to food photography, lighting is king. Lighting is very important for making your food look appetizing. But you don't need a fancy studio or expensive lights to get great lighting. We'll show you how to use what you have at home (or can buy for $1) to get great lighting.

Before you get caught up on what camera model to use for your food photography, we'll show you how to take amazing photos of your food with just a smartphone camera. In this lesson of the food photography course, we'll also cover the benefits of using a more professional camera like a DSLR or mirrorless camera.

Here are the two photos, uploaded so that you can see and compare them better.

For people who have a DSLR, mirrorless, or other type of camera with manual settings, this lesson of the food photography course covers the basic settings we use for our own food photography.

There are 4 main types of shots that you should get with every food setup. In this lesson of the food photography course, we'll cover the basics of all 4.

Make your photos look even better by editing them. In this lesson of the food photography course, Phil walks you through editing your photos. Whether you're using Lightroom, Photoshop, your smartphone, or any other type of photo editing application, we'll cover crop, color, and exposure - the three main ways to improve your food photos.

It's time to take action. Join in with other students in this course, and practice the skills you've learned by taking a photograph of your next meal.

COURSE BREAK: Check Out Our Ultimate Resource for New Photographers

Watch Will as he shoots different foods to see how he designs different setups. You'll see how the different lighting works, and how to compose great looking food photos.

In this lesson of the food photography course, Will walks you through a live demonstration of setting up and shooting a food setup. In this video, we're photographing cereal.

In this lesson of the food photography course, Will walks you through a live demonstration of setting up and shooting a food setup. In this video, we're photographing morning coffee.

In this lesson of the food photography course, Will walks you through a live demonstration of setting up and shooting a food setup. In this video, we're photographing a key lime tart.

In this lesson of the food photography course, Will walks you through a live demonstration of setting up and shooting a food setup. In this video, we're photographing tomato soup.

In this lesson of the food photography course, Will walks you through a live demonstration of setting up and shooting a food setup. In this video, we're photographing a beer.

Learn how to capture high end product style food photography.

What is this Workshop?

High Speed Product / Beverage Workshop

Thank you for taking this course. We want to take a moment to show us our appreciation for enrolling in this course.

Case Study: Phil's Instagram Food Photography Experiment

In this lesson of the food photography course, we just want to take a moment to say thank you for enrolling in this course. Cheers! Here's to your success!

Download and learn how to use free Lightroom presets to give your photos 1-click style.

Welcome to the Lightroom Presets Section | Food Photography Course

How to Install Presets in Any Version of Lightroom | Food Photography Course

Preset Pack 1: Flat Matte Style | Food Photography Course

Preset Pack 2: Street Grunge Style | Food Photography Course

Preset Pack 3: Bold Contrast & Colors | Food Photography Course

Preset Pack 4: Light & Airy | Food Photography Course

Preset Pack 5: Vintage Vibes | Food Photography Course

Preset Pack 6: Desaturated Colors | Food Photography Course

Preset Pack 7: Black & White | Food Photography Course

Preset Pack 8: HDR Nature Pop | Food Photography Course

Preset Pack 9: Tropical Teals & Oranges

Preset Pack 10: Cool Blues

Preset Pack 11: Golden Hour Bohemian

Preset Pack 12: Soft Pastels & Newborn Photography

Bonus

Bonus Lecture: Take Your Photography Further with Phil & Video School

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops skills in composition, lighting, and editing for beginners in food photography

Appropriate for food bloggers, home-cooks, and Instagram users with food-related content

Taught by instructors recognized for their food photography work

Demonstrates food photography techniques through 5 different real-world food and drink setups

Students can apply what they learn to their own food creations and personal experiences

Students may need to purchase a white sheet and poster board for lighting

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 Food Photography: Capturing Food in Your Kitchen with these activities:

Review Photography Basics

Show steps

Reviewing the basics of photography will help you understand the terminology and concepts used in this course.

Show steps

Review the manual for your camera.
Practice taking photos in different lighting conditions.
Study the principles of composition.

Join an Online Photography Community

Show steps

Joining an online photography community will allow you to connect with other photographers and get feedback on your work.

Show steps

Search for online photography communities.
Join a community that is focused on food photography.
Share your photos and ask for feedback.

Organize and Review Course Materials

Show steps

Organize and review course materials, including videos, notes, and quizzes, to improve comprehension and retention.

Browse courses on Organization

Show steps

Gather and organize all course materials in one place.
Review video lectures and take notes.
Summarize key concepts and create a study guide.
Complete practice quizzes and review answers.

Nine other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all 12 activities

Watch Tutorials on Lighting

Show steps

Watching tutorials on lighting will help you learn how to use different types of light to create different effects in your photos.

Show steps

Search for tutorials on lighting for food photography.
Watch tutorials on how to use natural light.
Watch tutorials on how to use artificial light.

Join a Food Photography Community

Show steps

Connect with other food photographers, share your work, get feedback, and learn from their experiences.

Browse courses on Food Photography

Show steps

Join online forums, Facebook groups, or Instagram challenges dedicated to food photography.
Share your photos and ask for constructive criticism.
Participate in discussions and workshops to learn from others and expand your knowledge.

Explore Lighting Techniques for Food

Show steps

Learn how to control natural light and use basic equipment to enhance the visual appeal of your food photos.

Browse courses on Food Photography

Show steps

Study different lighting setups and their effects on food presentation.
Practice using natural light sources such as windows and reflectors to create flattering illumination.
Experiment with inexpensive lighting equipment like bounce cards and white foam boards to modify light.
Consider using artificial lighting for more controlled and consistent results.

Practice Composing Food Photos

Show steps

Practice and experiment with different composition techniques to develop your eye for balanced shots.

Browse courses on Food Photography

Show steps

Identify the main subject and supporting elements in your scene.
Test different angles and perspectives to find the most eye-catching composition.
Experiment with rule of thirds, leading lines, and negative space to create depth.
Pay attention to lighting and shadows and how they interact with your food subject.

Take Photos of Your Own Food

Show steps

Taking photos of your own food will help you apply the concepts you learn in this course and practice your photography skills.

Show steps

Choose a dish to photograph.
Prepare the dish and set up your lighting.
Take photos of the dish from different angles.
Edit your photos using software or apps.

Enter Food Photography Contests

Show steps

Challenge yourself by submitting your photos to contests and competitions to gain recognition, improve your skills, and learn from others.

Browse courses on Food Photography

Show steps

Research and identify food photography contests that align with your style and skill level.
Select your best photos that meet the contest guidelines and submission criteria.
Submit your entries and wait for the results.
Analyze the feedback or awards received to identify areas for improvement.

Develop a Personal Food Photography Style

Show steps

Create a distinctive visual approach that sets your food photography apart and reflects your unique perspective.

Browse courses on Food Photography

Show steps

Identify your favorite food photography styles and elements that resonate with you.
Experiment with different editing techniques, filters, and presets to find your signature style.
Practice developing your own unique compositions and lighting setups.
Share your photos online and gather feedback to refine your style.

Contribute to Food Photography Open-Source Projects

Show steps

Support the food photography community by contributing to open-source projects, sharing resources, and collaborating with others.

Browse courses on Food Photography

Show steps

Identify open-source projects related to food photography, such as recipe databases, image editing tools, or community forums.
Offer your skills and knowledge to contribute to these projects through code, documentation, or feedback.
Collaborate with other contributors to expand the project's capabilities and reach.
Promote the project to encourage adoption and participation.

Build a Food Photography Portfolio

Show steps

Create a cohesive and impactful portfolio that showcases your best food photography, highlights your skills, and attracts potential clients.

Browse courses on Food Photography

Show steps

Select your highest-quality food photographs that represent your unique style and expertise.
Organize your portfolio into clear categories or projects.
Create a professional website or online portfolio to showcase your work.
Seek feedback on your portfolio from peers, mentors, or potential clients.

Career center

Learners who complete Food Photography: Capturing Food in Your Kitchen will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Food Photographer

As a Food Photographer, you are responsible for capturing visually appealing photographs of food. This can be for a variety of purposes, such as cookbooks, magazines, websites, and social media. This course can help you build a foundation in food photography by teaching you the basics of lighting, composition, and editing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Food Photographer

Food Stylist

A Food Stylist is responsible for creating visually appealing food displays for photography and videography. This role requires an understanding of food preparation, as well as an eye for detail and composition. The skills you learn in this course, such as lighting and composition, can help you succeed as a Food Stylist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Food Stylist

Culinary Instructor

Culinary Instructors teach students the art of cooking. This can be in a variety of settings, such as culinary schools, community colleges, and private cooking classes. This course can help you develop the skills you need to teach others about food, including food preparation, cooking techniques, and presentation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Culinary Instructor

Food Writer

Food Writers create written content about food, including recipes, articles, and reviews. This role requires strong writing skills, as well as a deep knowledge of food and cooking. This course can help you develop your writing skills and learn about food photography, which can be a valuable asset for Food Writers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Food Writer

Food Blogger

Food Bloggers create and publish content about food on their own websites or blogs. This can include recipes, reviews, and personal stories. This course can help you build a foundation in food photography, which can help you create more visually appealing content for your blog.

See salaries and explore the career path for Food Blogger

Marketing Manager, Food and Beverage

Marketing Managers in the food and beverage industry are responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns for food and beverage products. This role requires an understanding of marketing principles, as well as a strong knowledge of the food and beverage industry. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role, such as food photography and writing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager, Food and Beverage

Sales Representative, Food and Beverage

Sales Representatives in the food and beverage industry are responsible for selling food and beverage products to businesses and consumers. This role requires strong sales skills, as well as a deep knowledge of the food and beverage industry. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role, such as food photography and writing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Representative, Food and Beverage

Social Media Manager, Food and Beverage

Social Media Managers in the food and beverage industry are responsible for managing social media accounts for food and beverage brands. This role requires strong social media skills, as well as a deep knowledge of the food and beverage industry. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role, such as food photography and writing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager, Food and Beverage

Product Developer, Food and Beverage

Product Developers in the food and beverage industry are responsible for developing new food and beverage products. This role requires a deep knowledge of food and beverage science, as well as an understanding of consumer trends. This course may be useful for Product Developers who want to learn more about food photography and presentation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Developer, Food and Beverage

Chef

Chefs are responsible for preparing and cooking food in restaurants and other food service establishments. While this course does not directly teach cooking skills, it can help Chefs improve their food photography skills, which can be helpful for marketing their dishes and promoting their restaurant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chef

Restaurant Manager

Restaurant Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of restaurants and other food service establishments. While this course does not directly teach restaurant management skills, it can help Restaurant Managers improve their food photography skills, which can be helpful for marketing their restaurant and promoting their menu.

See salaries and explore the career path for Restaurant Manager

Food Scientist

Food Scientists are responsible for studying the physical, chemical, and biological properties of food. While this course does not directly teach food science, it may be useful for Food Scientists who want to learn more about food photography and presentation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Food Scientist

Quality Control Manager, Food and Beverage

Quality Control Managers in the food and beverage industry are responsible for ensuring that food and beverage products meet safety and quality standards. While this course does not directly teach quality control, it may be useful for Quality Control Managers who want to learn more about food photography and presentation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Control Manager, Food and Beverage

Food Inspector

Food Inspectors are responsible for inspecting food and beverage products to ensure that they meet safety and quality standards. While this course does not directly teach food inspection, it may be useful for Food Inspectors who want to learn more about food photography and presentation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Food Inspector