Just thought I’d share a simple trick with you today. I was in the midst of shooting a story for Cook & Eat, and wanted a shot of noodles streaming off of a fork. Rather than set-up anything fancy, I grabbed a couple of mugs, and stacked them to hold the fork into place. For heavier things, a simple $5 clamp from the hardware store carefully placed on a stack of blocks (or mugs, or anything) works great too. It’s a nice way to change up your photos and add a little life to them.
Quick & Dirty Fork Holder
Now, time for lunch!
What a brilliant tip! I can’t believe I’ve never thought of this … as I’ve been struggling with how to take such pictures without the help of another person. Thank you, thank you!
p.s. – I clicked over from twitter … and I’m glad I did! 🙂
awesome post! such a simple and clever idea:)
I love the top left shot! Stacked mugs!? of course! My BF will be relieved to know that he won’t be bossed around anymore 🙂
Meanwhile, I always wondered how people were managing to take a picture and hold a fork simultaneously… 😉
Oh wow, I never thought of that! Whenever I try to get something on a fork or spoon I always take multiple, blurry shots. I’ll have to try this next time!
Genius! I can’t wait to try this one. Usually, I hold the fork with one hand and try to reach my shutter release cable with the other!
Wow, what a great tip! Somehow, I never thought to prop up the fork and I always end up holding it myself and trying to focus with my other hand. Silly!! I will definitely have to test this out sometime!
Great Idea!
OMG you rock what a simple idea, but i would have never thought of that!
What a brilliant and equally simple idea! I might have to try it right away…:)
That’s a great idea. I’ve never thought like that xD
Oh my gosh. Wow. Incredible. Makes me feel so stupid to not have thought of trying that with some of my food photos! Thank YOU so very much!
great tip!
What a great tip. Thanks for the idea.
dammit. now i’m going to have to try this out tonight.
[thanks for the tip!]
hahaha. i can’t believe it never occurred to me to NOT use my own shaky hand to hold up a fork! thank you!
great idea. so funny that a simple (but clever) idea like this inspired so much chatter!
Oh my goodness, what a wonderful idea! Far easier than trying to hold the fork steady while taking the photo…;-) I’m a first-time visitor to your blog and look forward to browsing.
Aha! Husband has some of those clamps. Will have to track them down and stash one with my food photo equipment. Thanks for the tips!
I am a wedding photographer and love to take pictures of the rings at weddings. I am going to use a clamp to help me with some of my shots. Thanks for this I wouldn’t have thought of doing somehting like this.
Genius! So simple and so effective. I was actually pondering ways to do this last week – me left hand is not always steady enough to hold the fork while the right hand fiddles with the camera 😉
another stumbler from twitter…. know some of these tips from shooting products already but i think its brilliant that you are blogging about it =) i’ve added you to my WP blogroll (http://josephineki.wordpress.com/) too and will definately be checking back for new posts.
cheers!
Nice tip! When I have to shoot food (rarely, but a few publications call for it), I always used a ‘Justin Clamp’ to hold the fork up. Great tip! This will make my life much easier…
Wow, that’s really clever. I normally just decoratively place my utensil in the plate/bowl/etc. I’m definitely going to try this. Thanks.
People as good at photography as this really piss me off…WHY do I lack talent? It’s not fair!
Excellent photos! It’s not easy to take good and appetizing food photos.
Very nicely done!
Wonderful blog you have here 🙂
Uh, brilliant! Thank you for the brilliant idea! Now I guess I won’t have to rely on my husband anymore.
“Hey honey! You don’t have to hold that fork still! Look what I can do!”
I m new to this site….and i totally love this space….for a while i have been wondering how to shoot the photos of food better for my blog….and urs is truly an inspiration….this trick is definitely good…!thanks a lot !
So simple; you now have a legion of people saying, ‘Now, why didn’t I think of that?’
Great blog; I’m not new to cooking or putting recipes online but new to blogging and photographing them, so all help is appreciated!
Great idea! Amazing pictures!
LOL…loved it…great tip!