Food Photography Tip of the Week |15|

What’s the difference between RAW and Jpeg image files?

I feel like this question pops up frequently. Most people who have been photographing with with a dSLR camera even for just a short amount of time have at least heard of RAW and Jpeg images. They’ve probably also heard many people say to always shoot in RAW.

Let’s do a little learning first to get you up to speed with what these file types actually mean.

jpeg - A file format that compresses + saves the image data into one layer, as soon as the photo is taken. It undergoes automatic sharpening + contrast adjustments in camera and then flattens the file. You can still edit jpeg images but not to as subtle of a degree as RAW images. The editing has been done for you in camera.

RAW - Not technically an image yet, this is the data that has been collected by your camera after snapping the photo. The data is collected in a series of layers that can be manipulated to a higher degree during post processing because the image has not been flattened. You will need to at the minimum increase sharpness and contrast during the editing process.

Keep in mind:

*RAW files are 2-3x larger than jpeg files so it takes much more space to store them on memory cards and your computer.

*Also note that RAW files need special software to read the photos, edit them, and then export them as jpegs, tifs, etc. Make sure you have the ability to read RAW photos or you won’t be able to open them on your computer.

*Raw images are completely untreated. You will have to edit them to some degree before exporting to use them in a blog, for print, etc.

*If you want more freedom to edit fine details like contrast, shadows, sharpness, noise, color temperature, etc. then shooting in RAW is probably for you. However, you can still manipulate these things with jpeg files but the image will lose quality with each edit you make.

*If you are shooting hundreds/thousands of photos and are not looking to edit them, or you want to share them very quickly shooting in JPEG may be for you.

*While you’re not actually manipulating each layer in the RAW editing process and you don’t visibly see the layers they are there. It’s basically uncompressed photo data that allows you much more leeway in editing.

*I typically increase sharpness to around 50 and saturation to 5 in Lightroom. [This varies once in awhile.]

Let’s relate this to food: Think of the image as a recipe and the layers as ingredients. You can manipulate the ingredients while you’re cooking but once your food comes out of the oven there’s not much you can do to change it. Maybe add a little salt and pepper but it’s pretty much a done deal, just like with jpeg images. When you edit a RAW image it’s like when you’re experimenting with ingredients in a soup recipe to get it just right.

While this topic seems black and white everyone seems to have different opinions and advice on which format to shoot in. I recommend reading a few articles by Googling “raw vs. jpeg” if you want to learn more.

Hope this cleared up some confusion, though!

Ashley

Food Photography Tip of the Week |14|

How to photograph food while traveling with minimal equipment.

Maybe you have your food photography setup nailed at home. Your bowls, plates, towels, random forks + spoons, etc. are all within arm’s reach. You have white boards for bouncing light, black boards for adding shadows, and possibly a tripod. You have your favorite window and know how to use the light.

But what do you do when you’re out of your house with minimal photography equipment and you need to take food photos with natural light?

Below are a few observations and tips I’ve come up with over the years when working in a new place.

10 Tips for Photographing Food On the Go

Find the light. Even on a rainy day in Cleveland you can find enough light for your photos. Setting up next to a large window or sliding glass doors will give you more light to work with.
Keep the styling simple. If you’re not bringing props with you this is the time to keep your setup simple. Focus on the food.
Gather just a few props. You really don’t need much, but at the same time all plates/bowls do not photograph well. Look for any white plates or bowls, wooden spoons, baking sheets, wire cooling racks, plain kitchen towels, etc.
Take overhead shots. If you’re photographing on the floor and/or you don’t have backdrops to work with overhead shots are your answer. Simply use a pan, plate, towel, etc. as your surface to shoot on.
Turn off all overhead + surrounding lights. This can be easy to forget, especially if you’re shooting in an unfamiliar place. Keeping surrounding lights can give your photos a yellow/orange look and take away from the natural shadows.
Be resourceful. Are you trying to minimize shadows or get more light in your photos? Instead of using your typical white matte board, try having a family member or friend hold up a white plate to help bounce light. You can even use a roll of paper towels! Just unroll a few sheets and keep it held up while you shoot.
Go outside! Maybe your parents or friends have a deck or picnic table with weathered wood. Maybe your summer recipe would work well photographed on a blanket in the grass. Don’t limit yourself to photographing inside!
Back to basics. Don’t try and reinvent the wheel while you’re away [I mean, unless you really want to]. Focus on what you know works and don’t stress. Simplicity is key!
Ask for help. If you have a friends or family around I’m sure they wouldn’t mind lending a hand and watching you work. Just remind them that they’ll be rewarded with food after!
Get creative with your phone. Maybe you aren’t traveling without your fancy camera. I get it. They’re a pain to haul around and pretty fragile and expensive to replace. You can still create beautiful blog-worthy photos with your phone! Follow all of the steps above but just point + shoot with your pocket-sized camera. Edit on your phone, upload to your blog, and there you go!

I think the most important things to remember are keeping your setup simple, finding soft light, and getting creative. Instead of becoming frustrated while photographing in a new environment try to have fun with the challenge. You might be surprised with the results!

While at home I was working in a space about 2 feet wide and 4 feet long. I could have moved the kitchen table to give me more space but it really wasn’t necessary. The light was fairly minimal and the photos worked best when taken on the floor.

The light dropped off quickly right behind the food so I kept all of my final shots overhead for this recipe. The light was muted with a soft, shadowy quality. Had it been full sun I may have needed to block some of the light or choose a different window to work next to.

For this shot the folded over towel and wooden spoon were all I needed. You would never guess the below photo had the setup that you see above. Pretty bare bones!