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If you aspire to be a food blogger ( *raises hand*) then one look at Matt Armendariz‘s blog, MattBites, will make you want to quit. The simplicity while being dramatic takes you in right from the start. The soft theme with the splashes of color in the header captures your attention and begs you to stay. Then you start clicking links and before long you are attracted to and totally enamored with Matt. His words, his food, his advice, his travels, but mainly, his photography. The words breathtaking, amazing, gorgeous, and wow, do not cover how you feel or what you think looking at his photography. Some of the pictures makes you want to try to pick the food up and bring it out of your screen. Be careful eying the desserts, you will start to crave them. Every detail, every gorgeous little morsel is right there, in your face, begging you to take a bite. How can you honestly compete with that? As if that wasn’t enough Matt is funny, down to earth, and honest. He lets you see him through his posts and that is a refreshing change! Thankfully, he is also a giving person and has created a book for wanna be food photographers called “Food Photography for Bloggers” and he will tell you himself:
And the book, while aimed at bloggers, has tons of tips and examples that not only apply to the beginners but to everyone else. And it’s cute and little and was written and photographed out of love. For you.
Let me be the first to say I love this book and it was everything I needed! As I stated in my blogging mistakes post HERE, one of my most regretted items is not taking better pictures. Part of it was because I didn’t know how and the second part was just trying to get stuff done. Even when I started trying to take better pictures they still didn’t look great. Anyone remember this fiasco? Such a great, great recipe but a horrible, horrible picture!
Sigh, and I wondered why it didn’t get more attention. I settled down with Matt’s book soon after I received it, reading it page by page. Do I even have to say the photography was amazing? If I do then “The photography was amaaazing!” I learned things I didn’t even know while reading it. Lighting, ways to make your food look better ( who would have thought of putting a little oil on a hamburger pattie to make it stand out more?) and even learned that a lot of up scale restaurants do not allow flash photography ( yeah, like I would ever be at an up scale restaurant, but the advice was good to know!). The number one thing I learned? Natural light is your friend and when you can’t have natural light, create it! Matt gives you all the tips you need to create beautiful food pictures for your blog or for anyone that wants to take pics of their food for Instagram, Pinterest, etc. It is great for beginners! It helped me go from the disaster up there, to this here:
Still not incredible, but way better and I learned how to do it from this book! I set my shutter speed like Matt suggested, set my lighting ( just for the record, a light box was not mentioned once in this book that I saw) and wow, you could see the cookie and what color it really was! Also that is my first attempt at food styling, not to shabby! I honestly cannot recommend this book enough! It would make an awesome gift to a photographer, blogger, or even you!
You can follow Matt on Twitter or subscribe to his newsletter HERE.
I could really use something like this! I’m not exactly a food blogger, but I do occasionally blog about food, and my pictures are sad. So, so sad. Lighting seems to be my biggest problem. I think
Hi Melanie,
Lighting does seem to be a big issue. He did a great example with tortilla chips. On the first the light was shining through the chips and making them really bright. He changed the lighting and it was much better. I learned so much from it!
Bobbie Seacrist recently posted..Unique Appetizers and Desserts for New Years Eve w/ Party Printables
I could use this book to get some tips for better photos. Lighting and decoration are my biggest problems
ourfamilyworld recently posted..Holiday Side Dishes: Delicious and Healthy Christmas Salads
I was amazed at some of his props. I am not really sure I have an eye for that. I would just be happy if you could tell what the food is, lol!
Bobbie Seacrist recently posted..Unique Appetizers and Desserts for New Years Eve w/ Party Printables
Nicole says
I really need to read this! I blog on occasion about food and my photos are AWFUL (it doesn’t help I use my cell camera, I know). So, I will definitely be picking this book up next chance I get!
Nicole recently posted..5 Sparrows - Tasty Hot Chocolate and Chai Tea (and a Yummy Recipe Inside)
He does have a little section about using your phone. He said to use the camera you are most comfortable with. I think you will really enjoy the book and get a lot of insight out of it!
Bobbie Seacrist recently posted..Unique Appetizers and Desserts for New Years Eve w/ Party Printables
I definitely need to learn how to create natural light! I think I’ll check this out!
Mariah recently posted..Get Yo Gabba Gabba Music is Awesome
If you do, let me know how you like it! I really do think it is one of the best book for bloggers!
Bobbie Seacrist recently posted..Unique Appetizers and Desserts for New Years Eve w/ Party Printables
I could use this book! You did a really good job!
Dawn
Thank you Dawn! This review came so easy because I really loved it and his site is incredible!
Bobbie Seacrist recently posted..Unique Appetizers and Desserts for New Years Eve w/ Party Printables
Recently I’ve been playing with photos, this book would really help
SoberJulie recently posted..Blooming Garlic Bread - You’ve Got To Try This Recipe!
First of all let me say that Blooming Garlic Bread looks so delish!! If you do get a chance to pick it up, please let me know how you like it!
Bobbie Seacrist recently posted..Unique Appetizers and Desserts for New Years Eve w/ Party Printables
I love pretty food pics! So many food bloggers have GREAT photos!! I do the best I can!
Kristin Wheeler (Mama Luvs Books) recently posted..Cottonelle Care Routine ~ Best Names #MomCentral
That is all we can do, do the best we can. I am mortified when I look back at the posts on my blog. Some of the pictures are horrid and it makes me ashamed, lol!
Bobbie Seacrist recently posted..Unique Appetizers and Desserts for New Years Eve w/ Party Printables
Crissy says
I need to improve my own food photography as well, this looks like a great resource.
It really is! I learned so much and it is also compact so it doesn’t take a lot of room. You can keep it right on your desk or a shelf.
Bobbie Seacrist recently posted..Unique Appetizers and Desserts for New Years Eve w/ Party Printables
Monique says
Food photography is definitely the bane of my photographic existence! What an awesome sounding book.
Monique recently posted..Stages of Bedrest: A Photographic Essay With Words & Stuff Too
Mine too Monique! It can definitely give you a fit, for sure!
Bobbie Seacrist recently posted..Unique Appetizers and Desserts for New Years Eve w/ Party Printables
Victoria @ Denschool says
Thank you so much for sharing. I love photography and often take pictures of my food creations. I could never figure out why my delicious [whatever] didn’t look as delicious on my camera. Thanks ~ V
Victoria @ Denschool recently posted..Countdown to Christmas Days 13 & 14
You are very welcome Victoria!
Bobbie Seacrist recently posted..Unique Appetizers and Desserts for New Years Eve w/ Party Printables
Ronni Keller says
OMG!!!! This is EXACTLY what I’ve been looking for!!! I have just bought a new camera but have no clue how to make the food look the way I need/want!! Thank you so much for writing this at the perfect time!
Ronni Keller recently posted..TLC Sin City Rules Red Carpet SWAG Billionaire Mafia Giveaway #LanaFuchs
You are so welcome Ronni! I really loved this book and truly learned a lot. I think you would really love it!
Bobbie Seacrist recently posted..Unique Appetizers and Desserts for New Years Eve w/ Party Printables
I would love this book! I need to learn more about photography
Motherhood on the Rocks recently posted..It’s a Dairy Miracle! Discovering the Joys of Shelf Safe Milk with Milk Unleashed
I do too. You would think I would know more than I do since my Mom is a photographer. But alas, I do not, so I need all the help I can get.
Bobbie Seacrist recently posted..Unique Appetizers and Desserts for New Years Eve w/ Party Printables
LOVE this!! I”m not a food blogger - but do love to share my fun baking and recipes. And food is really tough to photograph!!
Meagan Paullin recently posted..How to Pick the Perfect Pairing: Coffee & Pastries #DeliciousPairings
NIckida says
Thanks for sharing such a great post. I need to get a new camera because most of my photos are form my phone. I’ll have to check this out for my recipe posts.
NIckida recently posted..Wet Ones Sticky Situation Facebook Contest
Sherri @ The Kitchen Prescription says
Your review was so convincing, I just ordered Matt’s book. I can’t wait to get it. While I feel I have come a long way since posting my first food photo on my blog. I have much more to learn. I found this article on Your Kitchen Camera FB fan page. I was researching food styling/photography this morning and ran across Your Kitchen Camera’s blog and fan page on google, which then led me here later today.
After reading some of YKC’s blog posts, I already feel like I took an improved food picture today. I’m excited and eager to read Matt’s book. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
I am now following you on Pinterest, FB, and Twitter.
Sherri @ The Kitchen Prescription recently posted..Grilled Rotisserie Turkey
Dear Sherri,
I am following you on Pinterest and Twitter.
I know this is going to sound all gushy, but you honestly just made my month. I have been wondering if my reviews or anything is worth it. Then you come here and leave me such a nice comment. It really made me feel good, so thank you. Okay, with that out of the way, Oh my girl! Your pictures are good! I went over to “stalk” your blog and I wanted to eat the Grilled Chipotle Lime White Chicken Enchiladas. All that cheese looked so yummy and I love your pics of different steps. I do that sometimes here and I really think it lends to the post. Thank you for following me
I hope you have a wonderful week, please stop by again soon!