I’m trying to take better pictures of food. I told you how Rob built me a light box. Two of them in fact. I’ve been listening to podcasts, researching food photography, and making a bit more of an effort to make the recipes I post actually look appealing. Things have been going ok.
Then I made soup.
Soup sounded ideal after our 10 inches of snow a few Saturdays ago, so I made this spicy chicken rice soup with a bit of cayenne and chicken broth. Even though I am not a huge soup person, I jump at any chance to use my Le Creuset stock pot. It reminds me of my mom leaving her red Le Crueset on the stove all day while she simmered her minestrone recipe or made her tenth attempt at a carrot soup we four picky kids would actually eat. (We never did really eat it.)
The cooking of this spicy chicken rice soup went fine. Super easy and low maintenance. Done in about 30 minutes and completely satisfying that cold, snowy day vibe. Really, an ideal meal for busy people.
The problem came in the photographing. How do you make soup not look shiny under light box lights? How do you bring the ingredients to the surface so you can actually see them in a photograph?
How do you not have your reflection show in a soup spoon? Hello Chase the Moon sweatshirt.
How much parmesan cheese dumped sprinkled on top is too much for other people?
Then, I didn’t even notice the crease in the linen napkin until I was editing these photos and all the soup was already gone. Eaten twice for dinner and twice for reheated lunches. The crease adds an element of interest, right?
Don’t let my reflection, the cheese, or the napkin creases fool you. This spicy chicken rice soup is a warming, bit-of-a-kick, easy dish. Pull out your own wrinkled napkin, throw on your most comfy sweatshirt, and dig in.
What are your trying to learn to do right now that is going just ok?
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I’m Brooke Selb, a Personal Trainer and Health Coach specializing in helping busy moms and moms to be to easily juggle mom life with family friendly recipes, and easy exercise routines to help you achieve your fitness goals that fit in with your already busy life with sound nutritional advice.
This sounds delicious! I love a good soup, especially a chicken and rice based soup!
This looks delicious!! Too bad it’s like 98 degrees here or else I would be making it!!
This looks delicious! I could easily sub in veg broth and tofu to make it veggie friendly! Yum!
I think you’re pictures look good and that you’re doing more than just ok. I’ve read that taking pictures with natural light is best. I taken pictures of food on a white board on our kitchen table by the window and have found the pictures to look much brighter and more natural looking than the pictures I’ve taken under the kitchen light.
I didn’t notice the crease until you pointed it out lol. Do you have a bright towel you can use instead? It would help the bowl stand out a little more.
Good luck. I think you’re headed in the right direction.
Thank you for the encouragement! Natural light is definitely ideal, but hard to do if I’m cooking and taking pictures after work. It’s all a learning game.
Mmm…this look so good! Thanks for sharing.
This looks delicious! Thank you for sharing this recipe. I have to try it soon.