Hi there,
I am hoping to tap into the CC wisdom bank and get some tips on how to take good pictures of my cookies to start to build a portfolio. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am finding I get too much flash, or not enough, or shadows of the camera , etc.
Thanks in advance.
Tania
I have found that placing them on my kitchen table with the windows open provides just enough natural light to work nicely. What type of camera are you using? PM if you want and we can figure it out. My sister is a professional photographer so if I can't help you I'll call her and we can figure it out. I've been considering do the same thing... making a nice backdrop to use with every cake or cookies to make them look uniform in a portfolio. Let me know if I can help!!
Amie
I went to AC Moore and bought a black trifold pc of cardboard that kids use for Science Fairs. I also bought a black piece of poster board. I lay the poster board on the table then place the trifold behind. I then snap away. HTH.
take the photos outside in natural light -they'll look far better than any with a flash. You could lay the cookies on pretty wrapping paper (Peggy Porschen does this beautifully in 'Pretty Party Cakes') or on black which you can edit out with software.
Use natural light whenever possible, but avoid strong back light(your subject will be in shadow). You should use your flash then, or if you have a backlight scene on your digital camera.
Keep your background simple, it brings more attention to your subject.
Also, I find that my on board flash for my camera is often too harsh, so I use a piece of tape(Scotch (invisible type))over my built-in flash. It acts as a diffuser and spreads the light more evenly. I sometimes double it, if the existing light is pretty strong already.
I went to AC Moore and bought a black trifold pc of cardboard that kids use for Science Fairs. I also bought a black piece of poster board. I lay the poster board on the table then place the trifold behind. I then snap away. HTH.
I've also done this and it works great!
I tried taking my cookie bouquet outside to take a picture with the natural light and I think it turned out pretty well...
My brother is a photographer andhe taught me a few tricks. Use as much natural light as possible. Hang a large piece of paper or tablecloth in behind the object and let it curve down to the table where the object is sitting. I use a tablecloth and clothespin it to my chandalier. Then, block the flash with one layer of tissue or paper towel to soften the flash and prevent shadows. When I try it without the flash and I'm inside, the colors come out much deeper than they actually are. He just taught me this last week and I did 5 cakes that turned out great in the pictures. Good luck!
I agree....use as much natural light as possible, but if you must take the picture inside, unless you have MAJOR light you have to use a flash, but as others have stated, there are ways to "mute" it....scotch tape over the flash works great....but it also depends on what kind of camera you have! I have a very advanced professional digital camera, so I can adjust the aperature to control the amount of light and sometimes don't have to use a flash inside. For the basic point n' shoot camera that's why I suggest a black background....if there are any shadows you won't be able to see them! They'll blend right into your background!
Thank you all for your tips and replies. I am going to make some cookies this weekend and will post some pics using these tips.
Thanks again, I knew I could get some help here!
T
Not quite what you are looking for but it is a tip in a way...
I went to Michaels & bought a bunch of the scrapbooking sheets in different themes. I bought one for every season, occasion, color etc... so I pretty much have a back drop for any cookie I will make in the future. 
don't forget the macro button on your digital camera. it's the button that looks like a flower. that makes it so you can get REALLY close to your cookie and it shouldn't be blurry. i use it on all my photos
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