Interested in food photography you might want to see what equipment I use to take my pictures, so I created a list of my gear, just for You

First things first, take advantage of the equipment you already have (entry-level camera or mobile phone), instead of making a big investment. Get a good grasp of the photography basics, master your gear and get confident with the manual mode of your camera. Don't forget to add a sprinkle of editing magic to your workflow for that extra wow factor using freely accessible software and apps!


Now, if you've caught the photography bug and you're hesitating if it's the right time to level-up and take your skills to the next level, don't fret. I totally get it, I was super nervous too when ordered my first DSLR. Learning new gear and software can be overwhelming, and time management was a concern too next to a full time job - but trust me, things get easier by the time!


Since upgrading from mobile phone photography to my first DSLR, my love for food photography has soared, and post-processing has become a true delight.


So, let your passion shine and take it one step at a time. There's no rush! Embrace the chance to learn from other creatives and keep expanding your skillset. You'll be amazed at the incredible results you'll achieve along your personal growth journey. Happy clicking!

Reka And Her Professional Studio Gear - Photo by © Reka Csulak Three Pod Studio

DISCLAIMER

Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I use all of the products listed below and recommend them because I use them and believe that you would enjoy using them too. Please let me know if you have any questions about anything listed below!

Cameras and lenses


I guess you would buy your first DSLR camera with a kit lens. But do not forget: there is another option too: <em>buy the camera body and the desired lens individually. This way you invest almost the same amount of money and you don't have to wait for the opportunity to get the lens you desire.


My choice was the small but smart Canon EOS 200D camera body and a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens. And yes, it's really that small, so easy to deal with when I'm shooting from hand too.


As I needed versatile shots for different jobs, I got myself a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 lens for macro photography, and for wide-angle shots a Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 lens too.


I think it's the best idea to invest in proper batteries for your camera since there is nothing more painful than a few hundred bucks of extra cost in case of cheap battery damages to your beloved camera.


Recently, I got my hands on a full frame camera, the Canon Mark 6D IV and a Canon 35mm f/2 lens and also added a Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 lens too.

Tethering


I use the official Canon EOS Utility 3 software for tethered captures while keeping my camera on the tripod I can modify my scene in real-time which provides repeatability, which is crucial. My camera can connect to my laptop wireless, but I've found it slows down the processing at motion captures when I have to take multiple images in a short period of time, so I've invested in a TetherPro cable. By the time I trusted more in cable solutions for tethering vs. wireless options even though my cameras can connect the computer through WiFi, but the RAW files are transferring slowly, so you will appreciate the speed of cables designed for tethering.


My new favourite tool is a heavy-duty laptop/projector stand, which makes my life much easier by the opportunity to move my laptop around while tethering.


Normally it is me who is pouring, sprinkling, holding, cutting, doing whatever actions on my pictures, so I have a remote switch with a 5m extension cable, I can plug it directly in the camera. You can set a timer as well, but it's very time-consuming in some cases to wait 10 seconds repeatedly between two shoots. After getting the full frame camera, I also got a wireless remote switch alternative.

Tripods and C-stands


After traded up some old devices, I had to spend a gift card on something practical, so I got a Manfrotto Action Tripod. I love it so much but unfortunately, it's not one with the overhead shot option.


After I clearly understood what functions I need in addition to my tripod above, I selected my new top range Manfrotto 190 XPRO 3D tripod kit, which comes with a 190XPRO 3 section tripod that has a 90-degree column and an XPRO 3D head which makes it possible to adjust the camera's final position and angle along with its 3-way precision system.


I also like to use a heavy-duty c-stand with a sandbag for overhead shots and occasionally to hold diffusers, large backdrops, or lighting equipment in my studio.

Artificial lighting


My workflow happens day or night, and by shooting commercial work that requires consistency, I cannot rely on natural light only. I tried a cheap led panel first, but its battery life was ridiculously low. Sometimes I spent hours styling and shooting different projects so I've exchanged for a super cheap continuous light + softbox combo that can be plugged into a socket and won't let you down as easily as the ones with a battery.


Since I'm focusing on actions very often when I'm shooting food, I needed some upgrades. This is how it happened that I've introduced off-camera flash to my workflow. I use this Godox V850II flash with this trigger. The first months as a flash user I pulled my hair out -thanks to following others advice on getting a cheap portable flash-, as it is super difficult to be effective in styling without a trained brain that can predict where the highlights and shadows will fall, so I suggest to consider getting a light source that comes with a modelling light (you can find gear that is on the lower budget level).


To end this misery and for advanced scenes with multiple light sources, I got myself a pair of Godox SK400II studio strobe with modelling light function, and as a next-level investment I use the Godox AD600 Pro that covers all my professional photography needs.

Diffusers & reflectors


I have a 5-in-1 reflector set that contains a diffuser too. For food photography, I mostly use the diffuser plus the white and black reflectors. Silver is rarely in use, the gold is not too handy when you shoot food since it's negatively affecting the white balance, but it could be great for specific portraits, or a more artistic approach.


If you do not want to buy a set like this, you can reflect the light with some cheap white and black foam boards, or use white EPS, and a simple white fabric sheet could do as a diffuser as well.


When I've upgraded to flash, I've got an octabox with Bowens mount, which came with a double diffuser and a honeycomb grid.

For product photography, I have two, 30 x 140 cm stripboxes that help me create nice highlights on bottles in addition to the original features of a softbox.

I also got myself a large, 80 x 120 cm softbox with double diffuser layers and a honeycomb grid.


Even though I have many modifiers, sometimes I still keep it simple and shoot with a strobe and the diffuser from the reflector set.

Backdrops & props


I love to create my own wooden backdrops and some props by up-cycling unwanted items, using the treasures I find at flea markets or simply transforming something unusual into a prop.


I use sawhorses to hold my shooting my base surfaces, a T-stand to hold paper backdrops and smaller boards and I have a wall mount for large portrait backdrops and seamless rolls - if I have to bring this somewhere, I also have a portable studio backdrop system.

Post processing


I mostly use Adobe Lightroom Classic CC software for editing my images, combined with additional processing in Adobe Photoshop for commercial work. On mobile, I use Lightroom CC and the Photoshop app.

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Portfolio - Photos by © Reka Csulak - Three Pod Studio