This article first appeared in Cheshire Life magazine December 2023.Festive Food Photography with a PhoneWaiter: “Is there something wrong with your food, madam?”Customer: “No, it’s delicious. Why do you ask?”Waiter: “Well, it’s just that you haven’t photographed it.”Before social media was a thing, food photography was the realm of the professional photographer, shooting for restaurants, […]
Boco do Inferno, Cascais, PortugalLong exposure photographyI love long exposure images of moving water, especially when there’s dramatic scenery. They look otherworldly because we never see water like this in reality. But long exposure photography is often seen as technically difficult and not something the relative beginner would attempt.One of these images was taken super […]
This article first appeared in Cheshire Life magazine November 2023.I love autumn and I know I’m not alone. Writers and poets have waxed lyrical on this magical season for centuries. Searching for a suitable quote, this one spoke to me more than most:It was a beautiful, bright autumn day, with air like cider and a […]
Manfrotto Befree GT XPRO carbon tripodWhich tripod is best for food photography?I get asked this question a lot! And as is the case with most photography gear, there are many confusing alternatives and a risk of making an expensive mistake.But before we dive into the features you should be looking for in a tripod you’ll be […]
Ramen styled by Jan Cron @kitchen_maverickCan you use a phone to photograph food?I get asked this question so often and a few years ago, I would have hesitated and replied that it would be okay for certain shots, but that a camera would be much better. Oh, how times have changed… there have been some […]
Do you pinch outwards to zoom on your phone?Oops! That’s not the best way to do it. You need this really useful phone photography tip.(This applies to all phone brands)Your phone camera probably has at least two lenses, if not 3 or 4. This is fantastic news because they let you get closer to the […]
This article first appeared in Cheshire Life magazine March 2024.Visual storytelling – a picture is worth a thousand wordsThe saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” is usually attributed to an American called Fred R. Barnard, who wrote it in 1921 in relation to the power of images in advertising. It has since been […]
what is mindful photography?This article originally featured in Cheshire Life magazine January 2024.January owes its name to the Roman god Janus, the god of portals, doors, endings and beginnings. He has one face turned to the past and another looking towards the future. Hence this has become the month for making new year’s resolutions, leaving […]
How to choose the best phone camera as a non-geeky photographerThe time has come to upgrade your phone. And although on one hand it’s exciting (ooh! a new gadget to play with!), on the other it’s all a bit overwhelming. If you are anything like me, your main criteria is that the camera has to […]
Unlock the hidden potential of your phone cameraThis article originally featured in Cheshire Life magazine October 2023.Capturing life’s precious moments in stunning detail has never been easier, with the staggeringly good cameras on smartphones. However, many of us just point and click, hoping for the best, and we are often frustrated with the results. Join […]
Travel photography tipsThe phrase ‘travel photography’ conjures up images of buddhists in temples in Thailand or riotously coloured festivals in Delhi, but actually ‘travel’ just means to go from one place to another. And photography is just capturing the experiences you have.Whether you’re travelling half way around the world or two hours to a beautiful […]
LYL On Air – Ep 10: How to properly use Portrait Mode on an iPhoneMost people who come along to my phone photography workshops know that Portrait Mode on the iPhone blurs the background. What they often don’t know is that you can control and change the ‘depth’ effect. Watch this short video to find […]
LYL On Air – Ep 9: Which Lenses Do You Need for Food Photography?You’ll be pleasantly surprised to hear that you can get some really lovely images with just a couple of inexpensive lenses. Watch this short video to find out which ones you need.I hope that you’ve found this video useful. Let me know […]
LYL On Air – Ep 8: Do You Need a Tripod for Food Photography?Do you really need a tripod for food photography?It depends what type of photography you’re doing and how you like to work. In this short video I’ll share when I use one and when you can get away without doing so. I […]
LYL On Air – Ep 7: How to Photograph Food with a PhoneMy top tips for taking mouth-watering shots of food with your phone.You’ll be surprised about some of them, I’m sure and be using them all the time after you’ve watched this short video.I hope that you’ve found this video useful. Let me know […]
LYL On Air – Ep 6: Do You Need a Camera or a Phone for Food PhotographySmartphone cameras are so good but are they as good as cameras for food photography? And if you do decide to get a camera what sort should you get? This video will help you to decide.I hope that you’ve […]
LYL On Air – Ep 3: An Introduction to the Snapseed Editing App.If you’re looking for an editing app that’s quick and easy to use, then Snapseed is perfect. It’s the one I use daily and that I recommend to everyone who comes along to my workshops.Watch the video to get a quick introduction to […]
LYL On Air – Ep 2: How to blur moving water with an iPhoneDid you know you can create stunning long exposure photographs of moving water with an iPhone? You know, those amazing, surreal images where waterfalls have gone all silky and smooth.Watch the video to find out how you do it – it’s so […]
LYL On Air – Ep 1: How to Do Spot Colour on a Black and White ImageHave you ever wondered how you make a part of your image colour in an otherwise black and white photo? Do you need big boy software like Photoshop or Lightroom to do it?You can do this quickly and easily […]
