Before blogging, I was never a picture-taker. I always had a camera, but I rarely took pictures. I never felt like lugging the camera around. I have a slight confession: I still really do not care about photography.
I don’t have a DSLR, and can’t justify buying one since I would rather have 2 pairs of Christian Loboutain shoes instead. I also don’t know if I would take pictures of anything besides my food. I love taking pictures of the food, because I love food. I love making it, eating it, and looking at pictures of it.
I’m sure things may change one day when I have children and want to photograph their every move.
As for now, what I have realized is how terrible the lighting in our house is. I’m sure it is the case with most homes, but with my lack of photography skills and yellow lighting, most of the time my pictures make me cringe. I don’t have any photography skills besides clicking my macro button on, and even then my pictures still turn out blurry.
Because I am such a Type A nutcase, I pretty much refuse to post pictures taken under my home lighting. Most of the dishes I post on my main page are made during the daylight, and usually on the weekends – we cook for the week ahead.
However, I do cook dinner most nights, and sometimes they are great dishes. Last week I made some tuscan lemon chicken (which almost burnt the house down, but was tasty), and lemon-garlic green beans. I’d love to share, but can’t stand my yellow pictures. I know that is somewhat humorous because my entire blog is pretty dull and boring when it comes to design right now – that is changing very soon!
So I purchased some lowel lights that simulate natural light, and I thought I’d share my thoughts on them. I quickly realized that purchasing these were much more cost effective than installing new lighting in our home for my little hobby.
Well, I’m lying. My husband made me realize that. I still think money grows on trees.
These really are one of the best things I ever could have bought. They are around $80 a piece, but very worth it in my opinion.
They are a little on the bulky side, but I’m sure I’ll find somewhere to store them with my 200 pairs of shoes. Here is the set up on my dining room table:
I feel so funny posting about this, because my photography is a joke. And since I am not really interested in learning more or getting more into photography right this moment, I do think it is a little wild that I have accessories now. But I figure I can’t be the only one!
If you are looking for more detailed information from a real photographer, Jaden Hair did a post on this a while back. Check it out.
In the meantime, check out the difference this made for me.
Indoor lighting without Lowel light:
Blah. Blech. Gag me with a spoon.
Lowel light use:
Much better, right??
I am by no means the person to take photography advice from, but I love these things. Once I learn more about taking better pictures, I’m sure I will appreciate these even more. As for now, I’m too busy buying shoes, eating cookies, laying on the couch, and watching my husband clean the bathroom.
When my blog’s makeover is finished, I plan on making my pictures a bit larger and possibly using fewer – maybe 4-5 instead of 8-10. Until then, I will continue trashing up my blog with blurry, insignificant photos. I hope you’ll stick around.
And for anyone with a Mac, is there a way to resize photos? Or would you like to give me an email-tutorial of using iPhoto? It has gone to waste on my computer the past 18 months, much like many other things I buy. I would greatly appreciate it. 
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for sharing this info– I’m always looking for easy ways to make the lighting in our house more photo-friendly, because our house gets pretty dark after about 4:00 pm.
I have never heard of these… but I for one think you are doing a good thing by taking an active interest in making your food pictures as good as you can. I think if you could master the art of taking food pictures (then tell me everything cause I need help!) you would find a larger blog following. Just my 2 cents. People really only eat with their eyes on blogs, so its the BEST way to make an impression. Good for you!
I really like picnik. It’s pretty easy to use and does a good job of improving my photos. Even the ones that are dark. I don’t really use iPhoto since I don’t know how to use it either!
I have a Mac and I don’t think iPhoto is the best way to re-size and edit photos. I use Picnik.com, it’s free and there are all kinds of cool effects you can do to your photos. Those lowel lights seem pretty awesome though! I usually have to take my food outside to get a decent photo of it.
Hmm… I’ll have to check these out!
I have the same problem with my photos, and the same addiction to shoes, so I don’t see a great camera in my future, either. Interesting info on the lights, though…I’m always looking to stretch my point-and-shoot’s capabilities a little farther!
I have a Mac, but sadly I’m no help in that department either! Enjoy your Sunday!
Very intersting. I have the WORST lighting in my house. By worst I mean the house was designed for windows to be open and all natural light, so at night it is bad. Plus I close my shutters so I can have windows open with no risk of the cat jumping out. There is no such thing as a screen around here, just metal shutters that have slits for air flow.
Great info! Thanks! I use iPhoto and like it. I just started playing around with it one day and realized the fun stuff I can do
You have the funniest little sayings
“gag me with a spoon” – LOL!
wow, i’ve gotta tell the husband about this…as a photographer he’ll likely fall in love and we’ll go broke
There are some great settings that most point and shoot cameras have to make photos taken in lower light look great… most of mine are taken on my couch in my living room under a 100 watt light bulb! Email me if you want some tips
I do definitely want one of those lights!
I think the lights are a great idea! It is hard to get good pictures at night and I do a lot of cooking at night and right now it gets dark here at about 5pm. I may need to look into these
I have the worst lighting in my apartment, but I do what I can with it. Thanks for the info on these lights, I’ll check them out. I still need to get my hot rollers first
Great pictures, I to need to upgrade my photography equipment and after your post lights will be the first upgrade. Currently i have a point and shoot camera an a kitchen counter with lights on the ceiling.
I feel the exact same way about taking pictures. I know they’re necessary for the blog, to keep people entertained, but my interest in doing so is low. (That also could have something to do with the fact that my boyfriend is a photographer so any picture he takes is a million times better than mine.) Thanks for sharing this!
I am always struggling with my photography. Great tips
I also have a mac (mac book) and use iphoto to basically import and publish photos. that’s my expertise – i wish I had some more to share. I also could use a new camera but I would (like you) rather have shoes, bags, clothes, etc.
Wow all of this is news to me.
I never was a pic taker before, either. I got real familiar w/ the macro button and NO FLASH and taking 6-8 pics for every 1 useable. Shooting diff angles, angles that i think “won’t work” but do. And I know what time of day on this one piece of countertop works the BEST. For all my “money shots” of raw balls or desserts or really nice recipes, I shoot between 10a-noon on this one piece of countertop. It’s bout finding what works for you, but the lights are a great investment b/c then you can shooot whenever and have luck.
The iphoto thing…i just put all my pics in iphoto and when blogging, blogger’s program asks me which photos to upload, i select a mere 20 or so (i too need to use fewer photos but they tell the story, not the words) and no resizing is necessary.
Maybe this helps?
Cheeze cake. Yes. Make it. EASY and it rocks.
hahaah I would rather buy Christian Loboutain’s too! or tory burch. i freakin LOVE her shoes and bags. every time someone sees what camera Ihave they say “wow that looks like it has been through hell and back!” because well it has…4 yearsof college, crazy nights, the camera is a little beat up BUT it works! I have a Macbook pro and have NO idea how to do much witht he pictures other than importt them or turn them into the cool effects lol…I should probably get a tutorial myself!
Hi,
Saw your post on lighting with Ego. Wanted to let you know that there are lighting tips for using Lowel Ego (as well as other good lessons & info on lighting) online at Lowel EDU.
Very user friendly & informative.
Good Luck
DS
I was thinking about getting those lights too. but I went with more coast effective route. I bought some clamp lights at the Home Depot for 8 bucks and then I installed some Daytime florescent bulbs the brightest you can buy. and then I covered the light with some tissue paper and it works just great. Total cost between 8-15 dollars.
Until I started blogging, I didn’t care much about pictures. But blogging awakened a love of photography in me! Those Lowel lights are amazing! I’ve never heard of such…definitely going to be looking into them.
I’d read your blog with or without photos!
Your setup certainly looks much prettier than mine… at the moment, I’m using two cheapie desk lamps fitted with 100w “natural light” bulbs and wrapped with parchment paper diffusers, along with a tinfoil-wrapped piece of cardboard for a reflector. McGuiver would be proud, but Martha would be horrified.
Good thing it’s in my craft room, so that I can close the door and hide the mess when we have guests over.
I’ve been looking at these lights…guess I need to invest! They look terrific (and compact). Thanks for sharing your review!