SFU :: Let the Grilling Begin! #GrillingisHappiness #SoFabU

If you've been following my Social Fabric University: Campaign Photography with Sears Grilling posts, you'll know that I scoped out and then purchased some really fun outdoor cooking and entertaining products from Sears.  Well, over the last week or so I put them to use.  If you follow me on twitter, you'll know that I even took my portable grill to the beach and grilled dinner twenty steps from the Gulf of Mexico.  Yep, #GrillingisHappiness!

{A little side note: I've had a great time breaking in my portable grill.  We've never owned a portable grill before and we're loving how easy this one is to trek around and how much grilling space it has.}

This week in my photography class we packed in a pile of tips!  We took a quick look at lighting {discussing the importance of avoiding direct sunlight} and took a long look at some of the technical aspects of food photography, such as the rule of thirds, color theory, white balance, and angles.  I reviewed them all, then threw some food on the grill, and started shooting.

I found it difficult to tackle every tip in just a few shooting sessions so I focused on angles and tried to start incorporating the rule of thirds into some of my photos {I'm used to centering everything and this is a whole new way of thinking for me}.  I'll continue improving the other skills throughout the week.

In photography, angles are important.  Certain angles make photos much more inviting.

Common angles include:

* taking a photo straight on

{I love the condensation on the pepper to the right}

* taking a photo from above {I'm particularly drawn to these types of photos}

{I attempted to work in the rule of thirds on these next two photos.  I'm not sure I succeeded on the first one but I think I captured it in the banana photo.}

{Don't those look yummy?  I'll share a how-to for these grilled bananas later this week.}

* tilting toward {this gives the impression of the image inviting you in, tempting you to sample ... maybe it would if my poor chicken wasn't so white and naked looking.  I promise it has a really delicious white wine marinade on it!}

* above with perspective {this angle engages the viewer from the foreground to the background}

* diagonal

* and gentle tilt {this angle allows the eye to flow freely}

Do you think about angles when you're taking photos?  Or do you just shoot what you like?  What about lighting?  I'd love to know how much thought you put into your photos before you take them.

I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Sears.  All photos and opinions are my own.  #CBias #GrillingisHappiness

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