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Sunday Snapshots: Spooning and Practicing Your Photography

June 3, 2012 by Nancy Lopez-McHugh 51 Comments

How did you become such an awesome cook? And you bakers out there, how did you become such talented bakers? Practice of course. I may sound like a broken record but the importance of practicing your photography cannot be stressed enough. Like anything else, the more you do it the better you become. Today’s Sunday Snapshots is a combination of snapshots and photography tips.

Sunday Snapshots, Photography Tips, Spicie Foodie

Those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are enjoying longer days. Longer days mean more sunshine, which in turn means more hours to practice our photography. But remember that we don’t want direct sunshine on our subject. We want soft diffused light to prevent harsh shadows. (Extensive tutorial coming soon.)

Sunday Snapshots, Photography Tips, Spicie Foodie

This sunny day I took the opportunity to practice my photography and play around with new props. (The new props being these ceramic spoons.) But also my objective was to see how sunlight during this time of the day looked in my photos.

Sunday Snapshots, Photography Tips, Spicie Foodie

A great way of practicing and getting out of a rut is by experimenting with angles. Move around, above, below or straight onto your subject. Play around with the depth of field, see how it affects or what kind of mood is created by doing so.

Sunday Snapshots, Photography Tips, Spicie Foodie

Another way of practicing your photography is by experimenting with different backgrounds. In this case I’ve switched between two wooden tables. You can see here how the different colors and textures change the mood of the photos. The green leaves have also added another dimension to the photo.

Sunday Snapshots, Photography Tips, Spicie Foodie

In this shot, below, by angling the camera we can see more of the table’s texture. But also the angle has created a different direction of which the light is hitting the spoons. The color has also changed because the different angles bounce light off differently. Again these little things change the mood of the photo.

Sunday Snapshots, Photography Tips, Spicie Foodie

The last part of my practice session I had some fun with the photos. The way the golden late afternoon light was hitting the spoons created a romantic mood. I couldn’t help but see two spoon amantes or lovers…spooning. But seriously don’t ever forget that when it comes to your photography, having fun is the most important thing.

Sunday Snapshots, Photography Tips, Spicie Foodie

I hope you carve out some practice time this week. Have a fun Sunday everyone.

P.S.
I’ll have that very special promotion for international Spicie Foodie readers tomorrow.

Filed Under: Photography, Sunday Snapshots

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Comments

  1. Rosa says

    June 3, 2012 at 07:06

    Lovely spoon pictures!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 3, 2012 at 10:36

      Thank you Rosa!

      Reply
  2. Michelle says

    June 3, 2012 at 07:49

    Ah, diffuse light. thanks for the tip!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 3, 2012 at 10:36

      Yeppers ;)

      Reply
  3. Sanjeeta KK says

    June 3, 2012 at 10:05

    Oh..I love that last click!!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 3, 2012 at 10:36

      Thank you Sanjeeta!

      Reply
  4. Frank says

    June 3, 2012 at 11:06

    I really find it hard to carve out that time, as you say. But I know it’s important! Your gorgeous photos are a real inspiration!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 4, 2012 at 09:30

      Hi Frank,

      Sorry to hear that. It is important, so even if you can only squeeze in 10 minutes that is better than nothing. Thank you:)

      Reply
  5. Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking says

    June 3, 2012 at 11:07

    As always, gorgeous pictures, my dear, and fabulous tips!
    Thanks for the post.

    Reply
  6. Suzi says

    June 3, 2012 at 11:15

    These are fantastic and I love your photos. That last one really creates the intended atmosphere. Thanks so much for these tips.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 4, 2012 at 09:30

      Thank you Suzi!

      Reply
  7. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    June 3, 2012 at 12:44

    Great photos! I love the way the light changes in each shot.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 4, 2012 at 09:30

      Thank you Laura. It is pretty neat the way small changes can make a photo look so different.

      Reply
  8. DB-The Foodie Stuntman says

    June 3, 2012 at 15:12

    Thank you for teaching something today. Beautiful pictures!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 4, 2012 at 09:31

      Thank you DB:)!

      Reply
  9. Emily @ Life on Food says

    June 3, 2012 at 16:39

    This is great advice. You are right I need to practice more. Deep down I know this now I just have to go out and do it.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 4, 2012 at 09:31

      Hi Emily,

      We can all benefit from practice time. Thank you!

      Reply
  10. Vicki Bensinger says

    June 3, 2012 at 18:18

    Very creative spoon photos and especially love the spoons spooning. How sweet, perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 4, 2012 at 09:31

      Hi Vicki,

      Thank you!

      Reply
  11. Nandita says

    June 3, 2012 at 19:01

    A stunning post Nancy!!! Loved the way you played with these simple spoons. Great tutorial as well :)

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 4, 2012 at 09:32

      Hi Nandita,

      Thank you and glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  12. Flavors of the Sun says

    June 3, 2012 at 20:29

    Ah, Nancy…you inspire, as always.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 4, 2012 at 09:32

      Muchas gracias Victoria:)!

      Reply
  13. Ramona says

    June 3, 2012 at 20:51

    I love all your photography tutorials! I need to get a better table set up. I have to take my pictures too close up because I don’t have a proper set up. I am loving the longer daylight hours…makes it so much more fun to be able to take photos late into the evening. :)

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 4, 2012 at 09:33

      Hi Ramona,

      I did find that having a designated shooting area, with plenty of space, helps you zoom out. It’s good because then we aren’t limited with the space. The sun doesn’t set until 9 p.m. her so I also have plenty of light. Thanks!

      Reply
  14. Suzanne Perazzini says

    June 3, 2012 at 23:41

    Thanks for the tutorial. Down here we have just hit winter so artificial light it is. I thought later today I would blog on how I photograph dinner each night in artifical light and how to do it fast so the hungry mouths don’t start whining. It’s quite a juggle. I do need a few more table tops for variety. I love your wooden ones.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 4, 2012 at 09:36

      Hi Suzanne,

      That’s right you’ve just started your winter. You should write that tutorial. Everyone always appreciates the photography tips from fellow bloggers. Let me know if you do it so I can link to it. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Suzanne Perazzini says

        June 4, 2012 at 17:46

        It’s up now. I am such an amateur still but what I do might help someone else. Thanks for the link.

        Reply
        • Spicie Foodie says

          June 6, 2012 at 16:53

          Okay, Thanks Suzanne. I’ll stop by.

          Reply
  15. Eha says

    June 4, 2012 at 00:27

    Huge smile: pity you cannot see! Love the different variations, but naturally the spooning spoons are my favourite also :) ! Romantic as always! But, in all fairness, you have ‘missed’ the other variation of ‘spooning’?! Perchance that would have not made such a good photo . . .?

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 4, 2012 at 09:37

      Hi Eha,

      Lol!! But I have to keep it PG or G rating here:) Thanks for the giggle though.

      Reply
  16. dassana says

    June 4, 2012 at 08:52

    thanks nancy for sharing the tips. loved all the clicks, especially the last one :-)

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 4, 2012 at 09:39

      Hi Dassana,

      Thank you:)

      Reply
  17. Joan Nova says

    June 4, 2012 at 15:29

    Nice examples … thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 4, 2012 at 16:38

      Thank you Joan!

      Reply
  18. vianney says

    June 4, 2012 at 17:55

    great tips, love the amantes! this is my goal practice,practice,practice!! now that we are settled I plan to play around with new props,tables scapes and really focus on my photos..

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 6, 2012 at 17:04

      Thank Vianney!

      Reply
  19. Magic of Spice says

    June 4, 2012 at 20:17

    All gorgeous, and great tips! I have so much trouble as far as shadow is concerned…as an artist, shadow is what creates dimension, along with highlights. With photography this can be so touchy…practice…yes Master :)

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 6, 2012 at 17:09

      Lol, I’m far from master:)

      Reply
  20. Kim Bee says

    June 4, 2012 at 22:01

    I always get inspired when I visit your site. You make me want to get better. It’s such a long process learning photography. But so worthwhile. I enjoy playing with my camera. Not going to lie though, can’t wait to upgrade to a better one.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 6, 2012 at 17:14

      Hi Kim,

      Glad to hear that you enjoy learning and playing with your camera. That is as important as practice. Thank you:)

      Reply
  21. Patty says

    June 4, 2012 at 22:10

    Thanks for the tips Nancy, I always forget about shooting from different angles. I also like thinking about emphasizing different qualities when composing a photo;-)

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 6, 2012 at 17:58

      Great minds think alike, right;) Thank you Patty!

      Reply
  22. tania@mykitchenstories says

    June 5, 2012 at 09:33

    Thanks for the great tips Nancy

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 6, 2012 at 18:02

      Thanks!

      Reply
  23. Nami | Just One Cookbook says

    June 5, 2012 at 21:48

    Nancy, this is exactly what I’ve been working on. Light and angle. I’m always stuck with 50mm so I’m using different lenses (not fixed lenses) to see I could get improve my photography. Always any tips coming from you are great! Please, please keep them coming!! :-) Thank you!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 6, 2012 at 18:06

      Hi Nami,

      Good for you Nami. You’re using a zoom lens then? I stopped using my zoom because it was too easy for me to stay in one spot and only use the zoom. With the prime lens, I mainly use a 50mm, it forces me to move around more. Thank you and I promise I will. There is so much to share:)

      Reply
  24. TastefullyJulie says

    June 9, 2012 at 00:24

    I absolutely love the last 2 photos. I get so down on my own photography. I feel like every time I take a step forward I take 2 steps back. I have so much to learn!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 9, 2012 at 11:38

      Hi Julie,

      I feel the same way about my photography. Sometimes I look through my photos and think they are all horrible. But I guess what we both can take from the feeling is that it pushes us to learn more:) Thanks Julie!

      Reply
  25. Gina says

    June 20, 2012 at 01:54

    Hi there stranger, your spoons are just too cute. Even though it has been staying light here till almost 9 the light in my new place is awful. I just can’t seem to find a good spot with natural daylight, so I might need to really figure out the artificial. One other problem is the place is so tiny I can’t find a spot to set up, can I just come over and hang out with you?
    -Gina-

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      June 20, 2012 at 10:27

      OMG it’s Gina :o So nice that you stopped by:) Sorry to hear about the bad light in your new place. Mine is actually pretty bad too. I’m constintantly moving around the flat to photograph my food. Luckily since summer is here I can now open the balcony and use that light. You might have to go outdoors too Gina:) Otherwise yeah come on over you’re always welcome here:)

      Reply

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