Susan Filson gave a presentation on learning photography without expensive equipment. She emphasized learning how to use the camera through manuals and practice. Using natural light, composition techniques like the rule of thirds, and food styling were among the tips shared. Post-processing options from free to professional tools were also discussed. The goal was to pass on helpful advice to help others improve their photography skills.

1. TECHmunch Tampa
April 21, 2012
Presented by Susan Filson

2. Anyone can learn to make beautiful pictures. All it takes
is the desire to learn and a willingness to invest your time.
You don’t need to have a fancy, expensive DSLR or a lot
of pricey equipment, either. If you know how to use it, you
can get great shots using a pocket-sized Point & Shoot
camera.
I am not a formally trained photographer. But, with the
help of some good resources and generous friends who
are pros, I have learned a lot about how to make a picture
pop. And, I’m still learning every day.
My hope is that I can pass some helpful tips on to you!

3. Making Shortcake taken with a Canon S90

4. Whipped Butter taken with a Canon S90

5. Heirloom tomatoes at the Portland Farmers Market taken with a Panasonic GF1

6. Artichokes at the Portland Farmers Market taken with a Panasonic GF1

8. Tip # 1: Buttons! Buttons!
What the heck are all of those BUTTONS?
• Learn how to use your
camera.
• Read the instruction
manual!
• Find a good camera-
specific “How To” book
and read it too.
• If you don’t know what
your camera can do, you
wont know how to
make it do what you
want!
• Practice! Practice!
Practice! It’s free!

9. Tip #2: A picture paints a thousand
words. Tell your story!
• What mood do you want
your pictures to convey?
What feelings do you want
them to evoke?
• Use tools like Evernote &
Pinterest to create an
“Inspiration Board”.
• Draw on your own
memories & experiences
when searching for ideas.
• Tell your story!

12.  Always use natural light
whenever possible.
 Play around with light by
physically moving around
your subject to see how the
light plays off it from
different angles.
 Use the “clock formula” to try
out different ways to light
your subject.
 Bounce your light to control
shadows and create
interesting effects.

13.  Use the number
positions on the clock as
a guide for setting up the
light source for your
photos.
 Practice directing the
light flow from various
positions, ie 3:00, 9:00 or
12:00.
 Note how changing the
direction of the light flow
can completely change
the feel of your pictures.

15. Light coming in from 9:00

16. Light coming in from 3:00

17. Light coming in from 10:00 & 11:00

18.  White plates & bowls make
food stand out.
 Avoid serving vessels with
busy patterns. They
compete with the food.
 A fork , spoon or knife
placed casually in a shot
gives the impression that
the food is about to be, or
has just been eaten.
 Layering linens and
stacking plates adds
texture and dimension.

19.  Scrapbooking paper
 Ceramic floor tiles
 Salvaged wood paneling and doors
 Fabric remnants
 Scenic posters mounted on foamboard
 Antique kitchen gadgets, bottles and jars
 Old baskets, buckets and fruit crates
 Human hands

21.  Homegoods (www.homegoods.com)
 Target (www.target.com)
 Shop Sweet Lulu (www.shopsweetlulu.com)
 Bake it Pretty (www.bakeitpretty.com)
 Classic Hostess (www.classichostess.com)
 Craft Stores
 Thrift Shops
 Garage Sales
 Architectural salvage yards

22.  When staging a shoot, try
setting up a whole
vignette or “scene” to
set a mood & make your
food more “real”.
 Add props like
utensils, napkins, drinks
& vases.
 Drips, spills & half-eaten
plates make the viewer
want to “dig in”.
 Place ingredients used in
your recipe, like fruits or
herbs in the shot.
 Don’t overdo it. Less is
sometimes more.

25.  Keep a little food
styling toolbox handy
with tools to make
your food “picture
perfect”.
 Fill it with things like
tweezers, toothpicks, q
-tips and a small spray
bottle filled with water.

26.  Compose your shots
to bring your viewers’
eyes to what you want
them to see first.
 Understand the Rule
of Thirds, but don’t let
it “rule” you.
 A sharp eye is the best
composition tool.
 Cropping is your
friend.

27.  Composition technique
used by the pros
 Grid divides a photo
evenly into thirds
 Place main elements of
photo where “power
points” are to create
more balanced shots and
engage the viewer
 Rules are made to
broken

29. BEFORE AFTER

30.  Learn to shoot in manual
mode.
 Learn to shoot in manual
mode.
 Learn to shoot in manual
mode.
 Learn to shoot in manual
mode.
 Learn to shoot in manual
mode.

31. PROS CONS
 RAW files are the  RAW files are huge! They
complete (lossless) data can easily gobble up a ton
from a camera’s sensor. of space on your memory
What you see is what you card and hard drive.
get. JPEG files are  Special software is needed
partially processed in your to open RAW files on your
camera. computer.
 You can make  RAW files must be
endless, non-destructive converted to another file
edits and tweaks to an format like JPEG before
image. you can use them on your
 RAW gives you more blog.
control.

32.  Unless you are a seasoned
professional, most of your photos will need
some kind of editing.
 There are many post-processing options
available, at various price points and levels
of difficulty. There are also several free
applications on the web.
 Finding the right one for you and learning
how to use it can take your photos from
“OW” to “WOW”!

33. BEFORE AFTER

34.  Photoshop
 Photoshop Elements
 Lightroom
 Picassa
 Aviary
 PicMonkey
 Picfull
 Picnik

35.  Instagram
 Aviary
 Filterstorm (can process in
RAW format)
 Photoshop Express
 Photo Pad
 Art Studio