Find something interesting.

Find an object that has an unusual shape or shadow. Or, find an object you are trying to sell (like on ebay). Or find a childs' collections of random objects. Or if you want to try to get fancy, use food! Its fun to work with, but difficult to make look delicious.

Find good lighting.

Find somewhere in your home that has good lighting and an interesting or a neutral background, like a tabletop near a window. Or go outdoors and find a spot that is light shade. You don't want a heavy shade, unless you are using an off camera flash to compensate for lack of light.

Stabilize your camera.

Of course, a tripod is ideal, but sometimes you may have to use the floor, or a box on the floor (as in the case of the photo of the chocolates at the left). You just need somewhere to steady your camera, where all you have to do is push the shutter release.

Play with lights.

If you are indoors, and the window light is either too bright, or too dark, try getting some lamps from around your house. If you are outside, and it is too much shade, try the same thing, bring out some lamps and direct their light right to the object. Experiment! Find other sources of light!

Always remember:

Never stay in one spot. Change your angle, and move around the object. All objects have more than one side. Some just have a best side.

And for specific ways to light some of the images at the side, contact me at