Multitasking all too often creates more problems than it solves, but all the same, there are many times when I wish I could have three hands. Especially true when it comes to food photography, an extra hand could make it possible to take the picture, steady the camera, and handle something on set. By placing food on a spoon or fork, you’ll bring much more depth to the whole picture, and give the viewer a clear and interesting focal point- a good way to add excitement to a plain old pile of pasta– but it’s not always easy to make that happen. Short of having some radical and bizarre surgery get a grip on that utensil, I’ve found a number of alternate solutions that are vastly more practical.
First off, remember that nifty timer function that your camera has, that is usually employed during family portraits when the photographer wants to squeeze in as well? If you time things correctly, you can use this to keep one hand free while the camera closes the shutter automatically. Personally, I hate dealing with this, especially if there’s any motion in the frame, but it’s a good technique to keep in mind if all else fails.
Sometimes, if the item in question is fairly large, won’t make a huge mess if its accidentally dropped, or partially resting on the table, I’ll just reach my own [left] hand in there and shoot with my right. Ideally, the camera will be on a tripod to steady it, but knowing my laziness, it’s usually just balanced right on the table or on my knee, should I be squatting on a chair next to the set. The has worked out in many cases, and led to some of the most hilarious mistakes in others. Don’t forget to keep an eye on the set itself, and remember where all of your props are in correlation with one another, as the distances tend to look difference through the viewfinder. Otherwise, your luscious splash of soymilk pouring over a bowl of cereal might end up looking like this:
Should any member of my family be around while I’m shooting, I take advantage of their kindness ask them very nicely to lend a hand. Arguably easiest because it’s technically no longer an issue that you need to worry about, allowing you to focus on just the photography, it does have its drawbacks. Be sure to use a fast shutter speed and take many pictures in a row, because no matter what, the majority of your pictures will be blurry. Such is the nature of hand-held objects!
In a perfect world, one would have professional clamps which would be attached to articulated arms, which are rooted onto a monopod or tripod that are completely stable and capable of holding anything in any position. Since the whole outfit of these items cost more than I’m willing to spend right now, I’ve come up with a decidedly low-tech solution for the other situations that require a stable grip for a longer period of time. For example, do you remember that shot of the banana creme pie from my Mission: Impossible Pies ebook?
What kept that slice elevated as if about to be served was actual a simple rig of a small box filled with something heavy to keep it rooted in place, and then taped open at the angle that worked best for the shot. The server was then tapped to the top in many places so that it didn’t slide off.
All you need to worry about now is placing the slice of pie so that it’s centered and won’t topple over. Much better than juggling the whole set, if you ask me!
Clever! :D I love the box set up!
I love your creativity and ingenuity! three hands would’ve been sweet though… a little awkward at first, but nothing we wouldn’t all get used to :P
ps. do people still use that cushion thingy that you can attach to the camera and squeeze to take a picture?
I love the box set-up, too! Cute post!
Thanks for the great tips! I love your ingenuity with the pie server!
Mmmm thats a nice lens (the box that the pie knife is stuck to lol)!
Ha! What a great idea!!!
Very clever! That first picture looks like my most recent pouring “milk” photo attempt!
thanks for these great tips. its surely helps :)
Clever indeed! Stumbled by and I’m glad of it.
That’s a good idea to remember!
Great tips, thanks Hannah :-)
Je vois que je ne suis pas la seule à faire ce genre de chose :)
Quand mon homme est absent, j’utilise bien des supterfuges…
Thanks for sharing your tips! Really nice of you. Love the idea with the pie!
That is such a cool idea for the pie! And the first picture is just too cool.
I wish I had more time to take better pictures, I’m either super busy with school or just too hungry though haha
Great post Hannah :) Post of my food photography ends up like your cereal photo [which is actually still a pretty neat photo, by the way!]. That pie slice trick is great!! Hope you are well!
Fabulous!!
I love the pie set-up! Just shows, necessity really IS the mother of invention!!
great tips! i really need 2 things to make my food photography better (being actually trained in fine arts photography, i feel like i should be so much better than i am, but then i remind myself that i used either a 35mm film camera or a holga and only shot outdoors for the most part, and i feel better). 1: lights. 2: more room.
i already have a lovely assistant that goes by the name of michael :)
I would have never thought of taping lifter to a box, ever. Talk about dedication, if I can’t get a good picture of something I want to take, I either change the persepective of the picture completely, or give up. =P Thanks for the advice.
clever!
Do you have your own photoset or studio of some sort to take such beautiful pictures? Some of these blogs make my “high quality expensive for the average joe” camera look like cr@p, how do you do it!?
I’m so glad you gave these photography tips…I struggle to take decent pictures of my stuff! I really need to use the timer function, great idea.
Thanks for sharing!!
Oh I feel you! You know there is a saying that you can’t be a studio photographer without masking tape! [you know to hold things where you need them!] Great post!
wowww thanks for the insight! i recently got myself a tripod and it’s been a godsend – usually i taken a billion pictures by hand and end up getting rid of half of them due to blurryness. : )
That’s a great setup! (And I love the milk shot!!). Basically, I’m just too lazy to go to all the trouble, which is why I (almost) never do those kinds of shots! I really do need to take some photo lessons!!
Your blog makes me hungry:)
What a neat trick..haha. Great post!
Once again, you’ve solidified what I already knew…you’re a genius!
Well, at least you used some camera equipment box to hold the serving utensil so that kind of counts as camera equipment, right? LOL. Nice improvisations, Hannah! I love when you show us things behind the scenes like this. :)
love the splashed milk photo-very spontaneous looking, and very clever use of the box- will remember should the opportunity present itself.
The pie picture is beautiful, and what a great trick!
What a great post! So true the things we do trying to get decent shots!
Very cool! thanks for the tips, I would have never thought to pose the serving utinsels.
Thank you for sharing your tips as always. It’s so nice when people share their secrets of success! :)
So clever! Thank you for the ideas :D I always seem to be juggling and balancing the set!
I know what you mean. Im just glad I have a small camera that fits in my hand, so my other hand is free to do whatever.
-jack
Thanks for the info. Now I know why I don’t take better pictures for my blog, too much work ;) I enjoy that you bring the visual aspect into it, everything always looks so Martha – and I LOVE Martha Stewart :)
[…] Three-Handed Photography Multitasking all too often creates more problems than it solves, but all the same, there are many times when I wish I […] […]
hahahahaha thanks hun for the all access pass….you rock!
regardless…you always have lovely lovely photos…..and i am this close to reaching out and grabbing that pie off my monitor.
fo shizzle!
At first, when I saw the picture, without reading the comments, I was a bit surprised to see a picture with a disaster on it)) But then I realized that it was just to show what not to do))
I would like to read some more tips from you on photographing food :) I”m just wondering, do you use a light box or do you just have an enormous window in your kitchen with light available 24/7?)))
Thanks for the tips Hannah, now if only I could get my pictures to your level!
Great photos tips! I always wondered how photos like that are taken, now I know.
The spilled milk one is still pretty darn cool looking! :-)
What a funny first photo :) I love action shots, but there usually isn’t anyone around to help me with them, so I rarely try them. But it’s good to be able to keep your tips in mind!
Thanks for the tips! Your photos are so beautiful!
The things we do to get the shot :) Love the rig!
Brilliant! I’ve been using the timer function on my camera too, but I love your tape/box scenario!
you are brilliant. just brilliant. love it
stunning photography!
It’s amazing what we will do for a picture, eh?
This really gave me alot of insight on all that you go through to get the perfect picture =)
What an absolutely fantastic idea to hold up that slice of pie! I’m always screwed when it comes to forkfuls and/or anything that requires a third hand..lol You can see my lame attempt at a forkful photo at the end of the month! Thanks so much for the lens box tip!
Awesome post. Thanks for the tips!
Michelle
http://oneordinaryday.wordpress.com/
Beside your recipes are perfect, your pics are incredibly amazing! I’m delighted with the milk pic of this post ;o)
Hahaha, I love this!
I also had a similar experience when trying to photograph milk being poured into a cup, behind a crochet bone. I wish I took your smart advice! Here is a link to the disastrous result:
http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/woowork/5935340/MilkOverflow_medium.jpg
I had to laugh when reading your post and I will definitely use some of your tips!! I especially like the one where you used the box to elevate the piece of pie…. Very clever! I do have clamps and all that stuff, but to be honest; they are a pain to work with and your solution actually seems easier!
Ooo I love seeing your behinds the scenes stuff! You’re so creative.
great post. and oh my gosh! amazing photos!
Love the behind the scenes.
Great pictures. I love using agave, it looks amazing. yummy!!!
Clever!
[…] I’m including this tech tip from BitterSweet. In her post Three-Handed Photography she provides some inventive ways to get more creative when photographing your food. My fav of […]
[…] something I’ve always wondered about: three-handed food photography at Bitter […]