Let’s face it. Photos add interest to one’s blog. If I see a volume of text on one’s website without photos, I’m less inclined to continue reading more than one or two posts. Simply out of visual boredom.
I rarely take my blog photos outside, and prefer not to use artificial light. I’m here to help you how to make the most of your time, and tell you my tips I’ve learned along the way.
Know when and where to take your photos
When I worked, I took blog photos on the weekends for the upcoming week. My balcony was the only place that had decent light so I worked between 11am − 1pm. I’m not working now, but I still only take blog photos once a week, and try to get it done within an hour. At our new place, the perfect time of day for photos like these are between 1pm − 3pm on the upstairs landing.
Make your photos visually interesting
Clean up your area before you photograph. Garbage in the background, dirty plates, stacks of paper, it doesn’t add much to a photos appeal. You don’t have to style your images as they do in magazines, but have fun with what you’re photographing. Be unique, take photos from different angles.
Use a backdrop
When you see that I have a plain white background in photos, it’s because I’m using a painters canvas as the background. Something more cost efficient but not as durable, is plain white printer paper. You could also grab a colourful placemat, a piece of wrapping paper, or even books.
Edit your photos
If you’re stuck inside with artificial light, try your best to light your subject with light bulbs that don’t have yellow undertones. Then go into Photoshop and play with the layers. Here’s an example of a photo edit before and after.
Hope these tips help you out!
12 Comments
These are excellent tips. I am just starting to play with turning off the camera flash and using natural light. It’s so hard to get the perfect photo. I never thought to put a white canvas behind my subjects … just might have to try that.
Have a great Friday! :)
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West recently posted..Music helps you work harder during exercise
I’ve actually got the things I need to construct a backdrop, but I haven’t yet (may be a weekend project for kid free weekend! ;) By the way, have I told you lately I love the changes you made to your blog?
ahh love these simple tips! thank YOU
great tips! my biggest struggle is lighting. i live in a basement apt so lighting issues are a dime a dozen.
Jenn
A Beautiful Zen
@jenn f: That’s challenging! Do you take your blog photos indoors? Your pictures look gorgeous. Our old place in Ontario had poor lighting. It didn’t have nice looking morning, or evening light. Just afternoon – while we were both at work. So I had to use my free weekends for photographing hah.
Nancy recently posted..Taking blog photos indoors
@Ashley @ A Lady Goes West: Once you try it, you’ll love the difference it makes – or at least I did!
Nancy recently posted..Taking blog photos indoors
@Anne @ FoodRetro: I can’t wait to see what you come up with, seeing as you’re so creative. Thank you very much for those nice compliments on my new blog layout!!! I’m kinda loving it too.
Nancy recently posted..Taking blog photos indoors
@Lindsay: Very simple, right? Glad I wrote the post, hahaha!!!
Nancy recently posted..Taking blog photos indoors
great tips! my dad built me a super simple lightbox which has been awesome!
Great tips! I am learning how to take better food/review photos for my blog. :)
rachel @RunningRachel recently posted..Busy Mornings NEED a #MorningWin
These are great tips! I’m still working on how to take better quality photos. I live in a small apartment so often times it is very hard to have natural light in my photos.
Polly @ Tasty Food Project recently posted..3-Ingredient Miso Tilapia
Great tips! I’m afraid that I certainly lack in the photo department – I do try, but I blame it on the 3 under 3 that are running around, tough to get it done at the right time and find things to set it up nicely with. I DO have a plain white canvas in the closet, though, so I’m totally gonna haul that out for next time!!
Jenn @YouPinspireMe recently posted..Easter Egg Crafts & Egg Hunts #KinderMom