Food Photographer Interview - Xiaolu of 6 Bittersweets

Our Dishfolio community is made up of both professional food photographers and hobbyists. Those of us who are still learning the craft crave advice from those who are more experienced, which is why we're talking to Xiaolu of 6 Bittersweets, an exceptionally talented food photographer. Keep reading to find out her best guidance for aspiring food bloggers!

What's your top tip for taking better food pictures?

As basic as these are, my top tips would be to just practice, practice, practice; to pay attention to the details; and to dare to experiment.  Although the learning process may be (but isn't always) slow, these will help you find strength in your own voice as a food stylist/photographer in the long run. And that is truly the best thing you can do to improve your photography.

Of course having a unique style or voice doesn't mean your photos need to look the same as each other.  I can't even count the number of times when after spending an hour trying to get the specific shots I'd envisioned, I end up liking the shots I try on a whim the best.  As a result of those experiences, although I prefer to shoot on a tripod, I've now made it a rule to always spend the last 10-15 minutes shooting handheld to try those spontaneous angles I wouldn't otherwise.

If you had to choose a favorite photography tool, what would it be and why?

Assuming my dSLR doesn't count, I'd have to say my favorite tools are my large collapsible reflector and my white and black foamcore boards to bounce/absorb light.  At all levels of photography from the hobbyist to the pro, controlling light is crucial to taking successful photos.  Especially when you have a specific mood you want to evoke with your photo, it's very important to know when to add or subtract light.  I guarantee you that your favorite food photographers are masters of light manipulation.

Any advice for how to make a living as a food blogger?

While I do derive a great sense of joy and accomplishment from blogging and I do make some extra spending money from advertisements, I am definitely not at the level that I could live purely on food blogging.  I also have a personal philosophy that it's difficult to turn a beloved hobby into a career without taking some of the joy out of it and adding a lot of stress in.  So while I have great admiration for those who are able to do it, I am a long way from attempting that route.

What's the most common mistake you see in the food photography of others?

Don't worry about the trappings when you're starting out -- all the basic props you need at that point can be found easily at thrift stores and affordable houseware stores like World Market or Bed Bath and Beyond.  Take time to understand that the whole photo is really more than the sum of its parts.  You can't simply place the same props in a similar arrangement and expect magic to happen.

I'd say you're better off analyzing the photos you admire to understand the principles of composition (balance, movement, pattern, scale, and proportion) or studying your camera's manual to learn how to wield that incredible weapon.  Observe how light hits your house or apartment at different times of day and on different sides of the building.  Every minute building these foundations is time well spent because everything else you create springs from that.

Attempting to create the tone of another photo is a great way to learn, but so many beginning bloggers seem to think that buying the same cute patterned spoons or vintage props will magically produce professional photos.  Please don't get stuck in what's trendy amongst magazines or bloggers at the moment whether that may be high-key pastels and whites or moody exaggerated contrast and shadows.  If those intrigue you, of course include them in your experimentation.  But if you're always chasing what others do, you're wasting time that you could be using to find and hone your own strengths.

All food photos shown here courtesy of Xiaolu!

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