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DSLR Photography: Learn How to Take Professional-Looking Food Photos (FLEX)

In this eight-week flexible schedule class, students will use a DSLR or comparable mirrorless camera in manual mode to create beautifully lit, mouth-watering pictures of food. We'll also explore photo editing for food photography.
Mary Lynne Ashley
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(139)
Class

What's included

Homework
1-2 hours per week. Each week will include a photography challenge in which the student will apply what they've learned by creating one or more photographs. Students will also review and analyze food photos taken by a variety of professional photographers.

Class Experience

*** 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘: 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗙𝗟𝗘𝗫𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗟𝗘 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲, 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿.

𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗬 (see below for a much more detailed course overview)
In this class for students with some background in the use of manual DSLR or mirrorless cameras, you'll study food photography as a means to learn about photographic lighting and composition and to build upon and strengthen your manual photography skills.  By the end of the class, you'll have an impressive portfolio of food photos! (𝘉𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘸!)

𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗜𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗟𝗘𝗫 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗪𝗘𝗦𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗣𝗛𝗬?
1) Students who take these classes come into the class with varying comfort levels with their photography skills. Those who are already adept at working in manual mode won’t need to sit through the technical DSLR explanations again, while those who need a few extra reminders can watch the refresher videos to catch up. 
2) Can’t get to the store right away to pick up the ingredients you need photos and need a couple of extra days to pull it all together? No problem! The lessons will be here waiting for you.
3) You’ll receive plenty of personalized instructor feedback, as I'll make you a new video each week to respond to the photos you submit for that week’s assignment.
4) The ability to pause and rewind is super helpful and enables you to take in the lessons at your own pace. You can rewatch the videos and even pause and start as you’re going through the hands-on exercises. 

***𝗔𝗟𝗦𝗢 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘: I will be offering two food photography flex classes. This one is for DSLR photographers (or those with mirrorless cameras with manual functions) who want to build on their manual photography skills while creating professional-looking food photos. My other food photography flex class is for users of any camera, including phones, and is less technically intense. If you don’t have a DSLR or comparable camera or don’t have experience with yours if you do have one, I recommend the other class. I also offer a flex class on DSLR photography if you want to start there instead. 

𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗦:
You should have already taken a class on (or be familiar with) how to use your camera in manual mode. More than anything, you already have some experience adjusting the f-stop, shutter speed, and ISO. Don't worry, though–refresher content is provided for those who need it!
************************************************
𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:
This is a fairly rigorous class in which you’ll combine your manual photography skills of exposure and focusing with new knowledge of lighting, composition, and working with food. You’ll also try your hand at photo editing to create impressive floating food images. Be sure to see the required equipment and supplies listed below! If you are looking for something less intense, I recommend my upcoming class: Food Photography with Any Camera (which is also a flex format class like this one).

You will not need to prepare any recipes in this class, although you are welcome to do so if you wish. Store-bought food will suffice, and I will provide you with recommendations.

We’ll be doing some photo editing with a free online program called Photopea.  The editing features in Photopea tend to be identical to those in Photoshop, so if you have Photoshop, you’re welcome (in fact encouraged) to use that instead!

𝗙𝗟𝗘𝗫 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗧 (𝟴 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗦):
𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀: New video lessons will be posted to the classroom each Monday morning by 10am Eastern time.

𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀: Each week you’ll be assigned one or more photo challenges to complete and share with the teacher. The teacher will provide students with video feedback about their photo assignments each week.

𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀: You’ll be given photos to analyze based on the topics we cover.

𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Your interaction will primarily be with the teacher, as there may or may not be other students in your section of the class. You are welcome to share photos you're happy with in the classroom, but it is not a requirement.

𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: I will be available throughout the week via the Outschool platform to answer any questions you might have about the assignment or how to use your camera to complete the assignment.

𝗥𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗣𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧:
☞ This class is for users of DSLR cameras or mirrorless cameras with the ability to use Manual Mode to adjust the f-stop, shutter speed and ISO. Please contact me if you are unsure as to whether or not your specific camera is compatible with the class.
☞ Tripod. I 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙮 recommend having a full-sized tripod available. Acceptable tripod are available on Amazon starting as low as $14.99. Be sure to get one that is sturdy enough for your camera!
☞ 𝗦𝗲𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁 section below for the other inexpensive supplies you’ll need.

𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗢𝗡𝗘
🔸Intro to food photography
🔸Finding the best light in your home
🔸Experimenting with light
🔸Manual mode review for those who need it

𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗧𝗪𝗢
🔸Creating single-ingredient photos

𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗘
🔸Working with different types of food
🔸Do food photographers really use fake food?
🔸Making boring food look appetizing

𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗥
🔸Basic photo editing for food photos
🔸Styling and photographing a sandwich

𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘
🔸Photograping a plated meal

𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗦𝗜𝗫
🔸How to create flying/floating food photos
🔸Intro to your final project

𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗦𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡
🔸Planning your final project

𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧
🔸Photographing and sharing your final project

𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗬 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧
What you’ll need for this class:
* DSLR
* Full-sized Tripod (strongly recommended)
* Carton of eggs (week 1)
* Other food of your choice. You can base your assignments on what food you happen to already have in the house, or you can purchase food specifically for the assignments.
* Piece of white cardboard or stiff poster board (or something else that can be used as a reflector)
* Solid colored plates and/or bowls
* Eating utensils
* Other props that you choose to use, such as drinking glasses, cups, napkins, etc.
* Cooking oil
* Small paint brush or basting brush
* Anything to help with the falling food shots? (like wire, sticks, clamps, etc)
Learning Goals
Students will hone their manual photography skills while learning how to compose and light creative food photos. They'll learn basic photo editing techniques and will also learn how to edit their images using layers and layer masks to create the illusion of floating food.
learning goal

Other Details

Supply List
𝗥𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗣𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧
☞ 𝗗𝗦𝗟𝗥 𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲: This class is for users of DSLR cameras or mirrorless cameras with the ability to use Manual Mode to adjust the f-stop, shutter speed and ISO. Please contact me if you are unsure as to whether or not your specific camera is compatible with the class.
☞ 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗼𝗱. I 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙮 recommend having a full-sized tripod available. Acceptable tripods are available on Amazon starting as low as $14.99. Be sure to get one that is sturdy enough for your camera!

𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗦 (most of which you probably already have at home)
☞  Carton of eggs (week 1)
☞  Other food of your choice. You can base your assignments on what food you happen to already have in the house, or you can purchase food specifically for the assignments.
☞  Piece of white cardboard or stiff poster board (or something else that can be used as a reflector)
☞  Solid colored plates and/or bowls
☞  Eating utensils
☞  Other props that you choose to use, such as drinking glasses, cups, napkins, etc.
☞  Cooking oil
☞ Small paint brush or basting brush
☞ Anything to help with the falling food shots? (like wire, sticks, clamps, etc)
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
Photopea.com (for photo editing) Stock photography sites such as gettyimages.com, istockphotography.com, stock.adobe.com
Joined May, 2020
4.9
139reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
I've been a professional photographer since 2001 and have a wide range of photography experience, including many years photographing babies and children. I've taught photography for fifteen years to professional photographers, enthusiasts and teens through group workshops, private lessons and online classes.

I'm recognized as a Master Photographer by the Professional Photographers of America and was also awarded the organization's Photographic Craftsman degree in recognition of my work teaching other professional photographers.

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Live Group Class
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$15

weekly or $120 for 8 weeks
8 weeks

Completed by 3 learners
No live video meetings
Ages: 13-18

This class is no longer offered
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