MicrostockGroup
Microstock Photography Forum - General => General Stock Discussion => Topic started by: steheap on September 04, 2013, 11:20
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I came across a site written by Taylor Mathis, a professional food photographer, where he produces a monthly magazine focused on a new aspect of taking great pictures of food each month. He is now on issue 8, and his approach is very straightforward and also focused on making use of simple inexpensive approaches - a white bed sheet hung in the garage door opening is how he starts. That said, his images are really great.
I've enjoyed each issue so far - it is always good to get some new inspiration! I've reviewed the site and the magazines over on my blog if you are interested (and, yes, I did sign up as an affiliate of his, but I never recommend anything I don't purchase and use for myself!)
http://www.backyardsilver.com/2013/09/photographing-food-stock-photos/ (http://www.backyardsilver.com/2013/09/photographing-food-stock-photos/)
Steve
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I came across a site written by Taylor Mathis, a professional food photographer, where he produces a monthly magazine focused on a new aspect of taking great pictures of food each month. He is now on issue 8, and his approach is very straightforward and also focused on making use of simple inexpensive approaches - a white bed sheet hung in the garage door opening is how he starts. That said, his images are really great.
I've enjoyed each issue so far - it is always good to get some new inspiration! I've reviewed the site and the magazines over on my blog if you are interested (and, yes, I did sign up as an affiliate of his, but I never recommend anything I don't purchase and use for myself!)
[url]http://www.backyardsilver.com/2013/09/photographing-food-stock-photos/[/url] ([url]http://www.backyardsilver.com/2013/09/photographing-food-stock-photos/[/url])
Steve
You have to cough up some doe...just sayin.
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Sure - you do. And I comment on that in my review. Depends if you think some inspiration and useful knowledge and background is worth it. My comment was that I thought it was a bit overpriced, but I still enjoyed it and bought the most recent issue. Out of my monthly earnings, it is a small amount to pay, in my view.
Steve
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I came across a site written by Taylor Mathis, a professional food photographer, where he produces a monthly magazine focused on a new aspect of taking great pictures of food each month. He is now on issue 8, and his approach is very straightforward and also focused on making use of simple inexpensive approaches - a white bed sheet hung in the garage door opening is how he starts. That said, his images are really great.
I've enjoyed each issue so far - it is always good to get some new inspiration! I've reviewed the site and the magazines over on my blog if you are interested (and, yes, I did sign up as an affiliate of his, but I never recommend anything I don't purchase and use for myself!)
[url]http://www.backyardsilver.com/2013/09/photographing-food-stock-photos/[/url] ([url]http://www.backyardsilver.com/2013/09/photographing-food-stock-photos/[/url])
Steve
You have to cough up some doe...just sayin.
Steheap said that in his OP: "I never recommend anything I don't purchase and use for myself"
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Just purchased, many thanks for link Steve.
As you say, in scheme of things small outlay for info on new topic to learn.
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Great - hope you enjoy them. I read the first batch of 7 over two evenings - relaxing and informative at the same time. I'm just part way through issue 8.
Steve
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You eat way too healthy Steve :D
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Just bought issue 1 and I must say I am pleasantly surprised how good it is. thanks for the referral
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I've been a following his posts for awhile now. He's got a blog with a some nice tutorials too. If you're not ready to ante up for the magazines you can get a peek at his style for teaching technique here (http://taylortakesataste.com/food-photography-tips-tricks-and-tutorials/)
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To quote from your own website;
" ... and, at the end of the day, what is $35 of tax deductible expenditure if it comes up with more saleable shots?"
Well, $35 is actually more than twice the price of Nicolesy's book on food photography from Amazon (the Kindle version is less than $10);
http://www.amazon.com/Food-Photography-Snapshots-Great-Shots/dp/0321784111/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378372997&sr=1-1&keywords=food+photography (http://www.amazon.com/Food-Photography-Snapshots-Great-Shots/dp/0321784111/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378372997&sr=1-1&keywords=food+photography)
I'd certainly recommend Nicolesy's book, I learnt quite a bit myself from it, and she has a proven record of selling food images into the microstock market. I've never heard of Taylor Mathis before and IMHO his food images are not as impressive as Nicole's.
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Well, $35 is actually more than twice the price of Nicolesy's book on food photography from Amazon (the Kindle version is less than $10);
Good point - I'll check that out as well now that my interest is pique'd! It is always the same with magazines though - they feed you new stuff on a monthly basis and we don't notice the $5 going out each month.
You eat way too healthy Steve :D
You didn't see the dessert - apple and strawberry crumble with vanilla ice cream!
(http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/138433/151453283/stock-photo-fresh-out-of-oven-in-white-china-bowl-apple-and-strawberry-crumble-pie-in-traditional-english-151453283.jpg)
Steve
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You eat way too healthy Steve :D
You didn't see the dessert - apple and strawberry crumble with vanilla ice cream!
([url]http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/138433/151453283/stock-photo-fresh-out-of-oven-in-white-china-bowl-apple-and-strawberry-crumble-pie-in-traditional-english-151453283.jpg[/url])
TWO fruits: that's very healthy 8)
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TWO fruits: that's very healthy 8)
Vanilla is a fruit as well, isn't it - at least a plant?
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TWO fruits: that's very healthy 8)
Vanilla is a fruit as well, isn't it - at least a plant?
Absolutely, so that's 3 of the 5 a day
Combine that with the orange in a lunchtime Chocolate Orange and the grapes in a Rum and Raisin Fudge and we are All Good.
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I also recommend - Food Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots - it's a great value. Packed with useful advice, lighting setups and post-processing.
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To quote from your own website;
" ... and, at the end of the day, what is $35 of tax deductible expenditure if it comes up with more saleable shots?"
Well, $35 is actually more than twice the price of Nicolesy's book on food photography from Amazon (the Kindle version is less than $10);
[url]http://www.amazon.com/Food-Photography-Snapshots-Great-Shots/dp/0321784111/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378372997&sr=1-1&keywords=food+photography[/url] ([url]http://www.amazon.com/Food-Photography-Snapshots-Great-Shots/dp/0321784111/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378372997&sr=1-1&keywords=food+photography[/url])
I'd certainly recommend Nicolesy's book, I learnt quite a bit myself from it, and she has a proven record of selling food images into the microstock market. I've never heard of Taylor Mathis before and IMHO his food images are not as impressive as Nicole's.
Nicole's images are indeed more impressive. From a very quick perusal of the Mathis book #1, I was a little distressed to see ISO 1600 and ISO 640 being used for studio stills. Get tripod. Use ISO100. ;)
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I agree with the ISO being a bit too high, but I think you should concentrate on the technique vs the photos
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I was a little distressed to see ISO 1600 and ISO 640 being used for studio stills.
I agree - that really surprised me as well. I was going to email the author to ask about that, but never got round to it!
I also thought that food was the perfect subject for a tripod - it doesn't move!
I guess the idea is that you can start with a bare minimum of equipment - he isn't saying that you could then sell the images, but that you can take them using the sheet in the garage door opening and a reflector, and if your camera automatically ups the ISO, then that is OK for learning.
Steve
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I'm fixing to order a copy. Just put the money in paypal. By Wed i should be good to go.
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But which issue would you suggest? I was thinking issue 6 but open to suggestion.
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Bought issue 1. Only problem - part of it printed blurry from low ink, Seems like a good deal for the money,
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The author of this first volume of e-magazines about Photographing Food has now moved on to a new volume - focusing more on composition and styling. I've extended my original post on the topic on my website: http://www.backyardsilver.com/2013/11/stock-photo-topics-photographing-food-magazine-volume-2/ (http://www.backyardsilver.com/2013/11/stock-photo-topics-photographing-food-magazine-volume-2/) and am now looking forward to getting into Volume 2.
It was quite rightly mentioned earlier in this thread that you could buy a full book for the price of the complete set of magazines (which is true) - I just happen to like these things coming along at intervals so you have time to read, absorb and practice some of the techniques.
Enjoy!
Steve
PS - the direct link to his site is: https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=235116&c=ib&aff=257311" target="ejejcsingle" (https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=235116&c=ib&aff=257311" target="ejejcsingle") (and, yes, I have an affiliate code there - search for Photographing Food if you prefer to avoid that.)
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At the very least, it's all Very Interesting. Keep the reviews coming.