Can anyone share your pictures taking tips
I know when I take my pictures of my cakes sometimes they turn out horrible
i have to take like 10 to get maybe 1 good one
I don't know if its just my camera or what
do you guys edit yours pics in photo shop? use a backdrop? etc?
.
What kind of camera do you have? A good camera, and an external flash that you can angle in different directions really makes a world of difference. But Experiment with the lighting you have available and practice a bit. And heck, I use photoshop for just about every picture (not just talking cakes, or in my case cookies) that is going to be displayed anywhere! Backdrops aren't necessary, but keep things clutter-free. Sometimes the background can really compliment the picture well!
Good luck and have fun!
Any more specific questions, I'm happy to help!
I have photoshop and i'm not too great on it, i just haven't had the time to learn it, been pregnant for the past 5 years lol, I have 3 kids 4 and under
anyways,
I can get the background of the picture erased but I don't know how to put a new background in
any help there?
thanks in advance
I'll try to make a list of a few things tha might help:
I use high-wattage bulbs on a tripod for my portraits, but believe me, you can make due with all kinds of things around your house. Take the lamp shade off of a lamp and lpace it one one side of your cake (out of the frame) and on the other side, have someone hold a reflector board. You dont need to *buy* a reflector board. I started with aluminum foil taped to cardboard. The only *equipment* ive bought to replace this is one of those shiny silver shades thet you put in your gront car window in summer..lol.
depending on where you're cake is displayed, NEVER UNDERESTIMATE WINDOW LIGHTING! ... Maybe also with a reflector board on one side....
I'll be back!
One of my last cakes was so pretty and I posted the photo to my computer the next day and decided I needed a new camera. I bought the NIKON D80 SLR. what a difference. Now I have to go to classes to learn to use it. My last digital was about 4 years old. It was time for a new one.
Yeah my digital camera is a cannon that is about 4 years old, I would LOVE to spend the money to buy a new one, its just not in the cards right now
thanks for the tips nikki1201
i'm going to try that for sure
i have also heard that you be sure to talk to brides about have the professional photographer that does the weddding do some cake shots and send you the proofs
i can't really recommend one brand over another. But I must say that I love my Olympus SLR, and all the wonderful little accessories that go with it, but last christmas I bought myself a little Sony Point&shoot digital camera, just to have around when I didnt feeling like getting out my big camera bag and hauliung it around.... For the life of me I cant take a good, clear picture with the thing! And I've been doing this for years! So anyone who keeps tryin & keeps tryin and still can't get it, i believe it CAN be the camera, not you! If you decide to get a new one, Play with it at the store, and see what it can do!
In response to yorkiemum, SLR cameras have some different options than a P&S, but the only mechanical differnence is on the inside. The reflex of the camera lens is much faster, and that makes it able to get really crisp details and larger prints.
For replacing a background, i cant really explain it without knowing what version of photoshop you have... but i can try:
instead of erasing the background, use the magnetic selection tool to select the whole cake, feather it a few pixels so it doesn't look choppy, then "cut" the cake (no pun intended...lol) and paste it onto a new document with whatever background you like. Easier than filling in around a cake!
hope that makes sense! 
I still take like 50 shots from the all different angles, close ups, with the flash, without. Then I pick the best one later.
it sure does matter what kind of camera you have. the cheaper it is the poorer quality photos...i think.
to some extent... probably. But the best point&shoot digital camera i had was a $89 kodak easyshare and it took way better than a $200 sony.
Here's a new tip that I have not seen in the last 26 pages!
This is not a baking or decorating tip per se but I think it's important. Photographing your creations is the ONLY record you have after that cake is delivered. Showing clients your work or just having an album for yourself is invaluable. So,my tip is to put even minimal effort into this last step before the cake is delivered -- or eaten!!
You don't need ANY fancy equipment to take a great shot. Here's an easy list to try:
1. Hang a big piece of cheap black cloth behind all your light colored cakes, and a light or nice contrasting color behind a dark cake. You'll be amazed how this makes the cake POP in the print.
2. Along with a full, head-on shot, take shots of all sides. Especially though, get some views of detail up close (use the 'macro' setting on your camera if it has one) and shoot at some angles -- these can be very dramatic. Don't worry if your detail and angle shots don't get your entire piece. All the pics together show off the cake well. Much better than one straight on shot.
3. For lighting, I just use two inexpensive desk lamps set up on either side of the cake. I NEVER use the flash on the camera because the light bounces back and you loose all the detail.
3. And last but the most obvious -- and most over-looked -- clear away all distracting junk in your shot. I have seen mixers, goopy spoons, cookies still on cookie cooling racks, kitchen chairs, refridgerators, stoves, plastic wrap, you name it!! This all takes the eye away from your lovely cakes or cookies and just makes them look amateurish.
Even if you're only baking for family and friends it's nice to keep a good looking album to WOW yourself with. And, of course, impressing each other here on CC is a big kick!!!
I love all you CCers!!! I'm an addict and can't get through the day without my forum-fix!!!
hope there may be some helpful tips here . . . good luck 
p.s. I don't think I'd worry too much about the fact that you only get one "good" photo for every 10 taken . . . even professional photographers have to take MANY shots to get what they are looking for! I would also add, if you are not using your digital camera you may want to reconsider . . . at least that way you know instantly whether you have any usable pictures (instead of finding out long after the cake has been eaten 
)
I just want to add my opinion. I have recently purchased a Kodak Z650. Not too awful expensive, but a good invenstment, You can use it for everything. I use a tripod always, since I'm not to steady. 
I try to use the natural lighting, and if I can't I have a kitchen hood with a light tucked up inside it I turn on. I bought a black shower curtain and use it as a background with magnets around the kitchen hood. It makes it look a lot nicer, all you see is cake, and the black sets off the cake nicely!!! I have learned this from here on CC. You will probably get more information keep reading. And
HAPPY PICTURE TAKING!!! 
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%