Two of my favorite blogs, Redesigned By M and Red Lovin Pixie, have issued a monthly Photography Styling Challenge starting in July. The first month’s theme is Food.
The objective is to get to know our cameras, whether a point or shoot or DSLR and other equipment, better. And also to develop a keen eye for better photo styling and color theory. The rules are simple. The main rule is that the photos must not be edited in any way, other than edge cropping. Click on the link above for the full set of rules.
Now, it is no secret that I could use some major help in this department. I love looking at pretty photographs on blogs and magazines. I always wonder how they take simple items and make it look so appealing. And I honestly have no idea what other equipment are needed other than a camera! So I intend to take this up as a learning opportunity, and maybe get to see amazing photos on other blogs, by people who know what they are doing!
Anyway, here are my shots for the challenge. A slice of simple vanilla cake along with my evening chai. The crockery, cake and tea are sort of neutral and monochromatic. So I introduced a magazine for a pop of color.
A simple tilt of the camera to the side produces a different result.
Both shots taken at F/8, 1/30 sec and ISO-1250.
And of course, I had to eat my cake too!
F/8, 1/15 sec and ISO-3200.
The above photos were taken in natural evening light.
And later, while I was chopping veggies for a quick meal, I couldn’t help but notice the bright play of colors. This was taken in the kitchen with the stove light on. It is not a brilliant photo as such, but the colors of the veggies make the eyes travel all over the photo.
F/4, 1/30 sec, ISO 6400
My greatest challenge will be to curb my natural inclination to increase the ISO setting. Time to invest in a tripod, I say!
So, check out the first Photography Styling Challenge over at Redesigned By M and Red Lovin Pixie. Maybe you would like to join too!
If you like what you see, please follow my blog via Email (button on the right), Pinterest or Bloglovin’, or maybe even all three!!!
redtagcouture says
Great job! Where is your china from? It’s too cute!
http://redtagcouture.wordpress.com/
XO RTC
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
I found it at a flea market. Can you believe it? It was so pretty, I couldn’t resist!!
redtagcouture says
What a find… I’m shocked that anyone would want to sell it!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Me too… the star pattern is so festive!
Namrata says
Nice pictures Anjana, Love the look of your cake. I’m chipping in with my bit too for this awesome photography challenge. I hope to learn quite a bit through this!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you, Namrata! Looking forward to see what you come up with.
ginny says
Love it. It’s like an English afternoon tea minus the American Flag kebabs 🙂 Look forward to the recipe soon. Great job ! P.s. I’ve added you onto my post… It slipped my mind that we had a 3rd participant, and a great one at that too 🙂
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you! Appreciate the kind comment. As you can see, got a lot to learn!
Redesigned By M says
Hi Anjana! Great work with the challenge! Did you bake that cake too? ~M.
http://redesignedbym.wordpress.com/
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Yes, I did. Recipe coming later this week!
Redesigned By M says
You and Ginny are so ambitious with all the baking you added to the challenge. Haha… my sandwich was purchased from the store! ~M.