5 food photography mistakes such as glare, overexposed, reflection & focus and. My little food photography & styling fails and some inspiration & ideas for food blogging and Instagram photography.
My editing frustration
Every time I sit in front of my computer and start editing I notice some of the common mistakes that I make quite often. So, I thought I’m going to share some of my thought that usually go through my mind while I’m editing in Lightroom.
How to fix it? I started to shoot tethered to see my mistakes right away!
My Instagram stories @healthylauracom (tethered capture)
Learn from my mistakes
Sometimes I honestly feel like I don’t like some details on my images and I just ignore them because otherwise, I would never publish anything. I feel like it’s a journey and we can’t get everything right at the beginning. I believe that sometimes it’s important to publish some of the images to get feedback and learn from the mistakes to get better.
Rice Semolina
Typical Internet Disclaimer
Before I go on, I need to make a little disclaimer because photography is very subjective and these are just my thoughts and critics on my own images. I’m quite sure that some of you who are reading this might think otherwise and have different opinions. However, I believe that different views are just part of photography.
All the solutions for these mistakes are my own approach & these are just the things I like to tell myself.
Chocolate Almond Butter Nice Cream Swirl
My 5 food photography mistakes:
#1 Headache: Glare
You might notice that these images here have a little glare. It might not be that hard, but once I see it, then it starts to bother me. I find that some of the hardest things for food photography are forks and glasses. It just gives that glare that doesn’t always have to be there.
I get rid of the GLARE with a circular polarizing (read my post here).
Sometimes it might be okay, but other times it’s just so annoying that I can’t digest it. I read that the best solutions here are some white cards or a circular polarizer filter that always saves the day.
MY SOLUTION? Circular polarizer filter
#2 Headache: Comfort zone
Yes, I’m still a human. I get trapped in my comfort zone and try to get things done as quickly as possible. I’m just used to my usual routine, and I forget to try new “tricks”. However, when I have time I usually promise myself to try something new and I even write down some new ideas for the future.
MY SOLUTION? Take a long breath and try something new!
Keto cinnamon donut for a client.
#3 Headache: Reflection
Reflection is one of the things that is quite annoying for me. I know that you can always use it as a creative tool, but sometimes it just drives me crazy. All the forks, glasses, and shiny tableware are a challenge!
Usually, I will get my window or tripod reflection on my glass or cutlery. Therefore, I try to use the polarizer filter or white cards save the day.
I know that some people use all kind of crazy trick with chemistry?! However, I personally still would like to eat the food I make. So, I try to skip these kinds of tricks. Maybe someday I will think otherwise.
MY SOLUTION?? Circular polarizer filter
How to fix it? Read my post here.
#4 Hangry: Focus error
That usually happens when I’m rushing with my shoot. Sometimes I’m just hangry, or I have planned too many tasks for my day. So, I try to get things done as quickly as possible. However, I still forget to double check the focus with 100% zoom. Above all, I notice my mistakes when I’m editing, and I might be mad at myself for doing that.
Learn more about #foodphotography with my 21-day challenge
MY SOLUTION? Never shoot hangry!
I usually use the back-button for my focus (AF-L). That’s one of the best things I discovered once I started to notice my focus problems.
Coconut Matcha Latte
#5 Headache: Overexposed
When I overexpose my images and raw files, then I lose a lot of information while editing. That’s precisely my typical mistake. Mainly, it happens when I’m in a room that has A LOT of light that is always changing.
Save it! 🙂
My first year of photography I didn’t even read my histogram in my Adobe Lightroom. Somehow I was ignoring the manual mode and didn’t want to learn technical things. Big mistake! After I started to get more comfortable with Lightroom, then I noticed that my photography got better. Editing is just so big part of the photography.
MY SOLUTION? Read your histogram.
Here you can see one of my raw files for the breakfast bowl. I OVEREXPOSED the image, and in the end, I lost a little bit too much information. The image on the right is a little bit better, and I managed to get some more information with editing.
Wanna learn more? Take part of my 21-day challenge about food photography mistakes. How to avoid food photography mistakes? 
Find solutions to common mistakes! 180+ pages & interactic PDF format.
Classical Comment Begging 🙄
If this post was helpful, then please leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @healthylauracom or another platform. It helps me to create better content.
Leave YOUR website link below. I would love to see your photography or ideas!
Emily says
well… your mistake images are MUCH better than my best images! haha 🙂
I loved the tips and insights! I too hate when I notice things on lightroom that I didn’t see while shooting. One of my future goals it to get my camera tethered to my computer so when I shoot images I can see them big on my computer and hopefully notice things better.
P.s. I didn’t even notice the glare or reflection in the glass cup until you pointed it out! 🙂
HealthyLaura says
Thanks, Emily! You’re so kind to me! Your blog is amazing! I have actually used the tethering. However, sometimes I’m just too lazy. Looks like I should start with that again and get out of my comfort zone, right?! 😀 #futuregoals
Cindy deRosier says
Same! I can only aspire to have photos one tenth as good as your mistakes. 🙂
HealthyLaura says
Ooo, you are SO kind! I’m sure you can DO IT! It just needs some practice. I should look at my old images when I started!
Eva says
Thanks for sharing your ‘mistakes’ Laura. And yes, I put them in between ‘ ‘ because I think they are hardly to be called that, the pictures still look amazing and even though I see what you mean, I only see it because you pointed them out 😉 But on the other hand, I’m making the same mistakes (and more) myself as well. Small steps to become better and better. Oh and that horizon-issue… Boy, how I’m still struggling with that! It feels like I really don’t have an eye for straight lines. *facepalm.
HealthyLaura says
Oh, Eva! Your food photography is amazing! I’m so flattered by your lovely comment! I agree small steps make the difference! I totally get the horizon-issue. Sometimes I personally blame my glasses because of that! 😀
Wawi Joseph says
Hey Laura,
Thanks for sharing. However if I take the photos using my samsung note 8 and doesnt have any of the filter. Coud I still make high quality photos?
Wawi.
HealthyLaura says
Hi, Wawi! Yes, absolutely you can still shoot some great images! I would say that all of these mistakes can still be on phone images as well. When learning the composition and essential lighting, then your phone works great as well. The light is one of the key elements in DSLR photography and phone photography. Nowadays the phones have an amazing quality already. However, when you would like to get the next level, then I would suggest you get entry-level DSLR. Good luck with your photography! 😉
Anonymous says
so helpfull advice
HealthyLaura says
Happy to hear that! 🙂
Rapti B says
A very helpful post for a budding food blogger and photographer like me. I end up getting stressed and berate myself later. It’s heartening to know I’m not alone. And I can especially relate to ‘Focus’ issue.
HealthyLaura says
Oo, thank you so much! I can totally relate to that stress part but I always tell myself that it’s a journey! Mistakes always push as forward! 🙂 So happy to hear that it was helpful for you.
Jane says
I’m so happy that I finally found your blog. So many helpful tips. Thank you so much!
HealthyLaura says
Thank you! I’m glad you like it. 🙂
Judith Gould says
Thank you for taking us along on your journey to becoming the fantastic photographer that you are!
Healthy Laura says
Oo, thank you so much! That means a lot to me! 🙂
Ria says
This was extremely helpful Laura!!! Through, I still think those “mistake images” still look FANTASTIC! :)))))) I found that the setting mistake more specifically the ISO setting, really resonates with me! Im still learning how to use these functions but I thought that setting my ISO really high was important and it could be one of many reasons why my photo turned very fuzzy.
Healthy Laura says
Thank you SO much, Ria! I’m happy to hear that it was helpful. Also, my ISO is usually as low as possible indeed (around 100 or even lower). So, I hope that you will get some crispy images with low ISO. 😉
Tess Palma-Martinez says
I’ve been reading through your blogs all day and this one I found to be the most informative! I am definitely saving this one for future reference, as I am just starting a health and wellness blog! One critique is the copy editing on your posts- have you thought of hiring someone to edit the grammar and spelling? I’d be happy to help, if so!
Healthy Laura says
Thank you so much! I’m happy to hear that it was helpful! Good luck with your health blog! Also, some critique is always good. Actually, I use grammarly for my posts to edit the grammar and spelling. I also, sometimes use a editor. However, feel free to send me an email with your offer! Looks like you are the spelling pro! 😉
Tess Palma-Martinez says
Hi Laura- Thank you for the well wishes. I have been enjoying your free photography pdf’s! I will send you a email. Best, Tess 🙂
Healthy Laura says
Oo, thank you SO SO much! You’re so kind! 😉
Mimi says
These have been really wonderful tips. I tend to rush. Plus I really hate my tripod so I don’t use it. Any suggestions on good tripods? Your photos are incredible.
Healthy Laura says
Thank you so much! It means a lot! My camera gear list is here.I highly recommend that Manfrotto tripod I have. The tripod I had before was broken, and I used a string to hold the camera on the tripod. 😀 Bad idea since I almost broke my camera. You can read more about it here. Have a great day! 🙂
mimi rippee says
Thanks so much!
Ajoke says
Thank you so much for all these amazing tips. I recently found you on pinterest and I have learnt a lot from you already. I couldn’t agree less with Emily’s comment. Your mistakes are better than my best images. Haha.
Healthy Laura says
I’m more than pleased to read that lovely comment! Thank you so much! 🙂 Btw, your photography is amazing as well! 😉
Sarah says
I loved this post! My food photography skills are pretty basic and this was so useful for directing my learning if that makes any sense!
Healthy Laura says
Oo, I’m so happy to hear that it was helpful! Good luck with your photography! 😉
Anonymous says
Loved the reflection tip about circular polariser!!!
Healthy Laura says
Thank you so much! 😉
Shelley says
Amazing photography right there! I must say that you are talented.
Shelley says
So helpful article! These are great tips for photography mistakes.
Sharon Rosa says
I am not a professional photographer. But this article has been used by my friend. When I first saw this article I showed my friend Macau. We 2 were very pleased with this article later. Which solves some of our mistakes. My friend has been a fan of your website since watching it. he has read every one of your posts.
Kevin says
Really it was amazing post. Thank you for sharing with us.
Healthy Laura says
Happy to hear that! Thank you! 🙂
Noeli says
Hi Laura! Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I love cooking and photografy! I write a blog with the recipes I create for my alergic daugther, and is very difficult to take good photos, mostly with my phone. But as you said internet is full of tips for the ones who wants to learn.
I am following you at Instagram!
Adam says
Hey,
Really it was amazing post. Thank you for sharing with us.
Healthy Laura says
Hey, Adam! Thank you SO much! It means a lot! 😉
GraphicAid says
So nice .Thanks
Healthy Laura says
Happy to hear that! 🙂
prasanjitpcb says
Really its awesome photography. finally, I found my favorite blog. Thank you for sharing.
Khan says
Awesome expected post you shared here, I will require it many times, and here the outstanding selection of topic also makes me more jolly, please hope more blog post we get from you. Thanks advances!!!
Ray Boller says
Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.
Suzen says
What a beautiful shoot . So nice and brilliant photography in such these natural place. Thanks for sharing this.
clipping way says
I visit every day some blogs and sites to read content, but this web site gives quality based articles.
Healthy Laura says
So happy to hear that! Thank you!!!
nolan says
A few days ago I have made a lots of mistakes to capture food photos, my now I have fixed my problem to read this article, Thanks laura to share it. Itg’s a helpful article.
William Alex says
Thanks for sharing your mistake, Laura. I feel strongly love learning on this topic. I have picked up helluva helpful tips out of this amazing blog. I ad love to visit it again and again.
Mayra Garcia says
How you share the idea about food photography, I just loved it. Thanks for the good article about photography learning.