Playing a pivotal role on the photography judging panel of this month’s HubPatron of the Arts contest is Marye Audet, an amazing photographer, phenomenal Hubber, and busy parent to boot!
Marye took a moment from her busy shooting and writing schedule to share more about her photography background and offer helpful tips on submitting winning entries o the contest. Have a read!
HubPages: What originally sparked your interest in photography?
Marye Audet: I am an artist and used to do oil paintings, some of which were actually sold through Dallas area galleries. When the kids came along I didn’t have as much time to paint and was able to soothe my inner Rembrandt with my camera. As a food writer it is vitally important that the images I take of my recipes are beautiful — after all that is a big part of why people visit food blogs!
In addition to freelance writing, you do freelance photography. How did you get started with freelance photography?
A Canadian magazine happened across one of my images on my blog and wrote and asked me if they could use it in an article. I don’t get the opportunity to do a lot of freelance photography for others — usually it is in the context of writing an article for a client and needing some appropriate images. I have a few images that I am thinking of adding to istock photo just to see how they do, but I haven’t done that yet.
Your blog, RestlessChipotle, is stuffed with gorgeous photos. Did you take them all, and what sorts of food photo tips can you offer to other aspiring food photographers?
I do take my own images for my food blog. Although I am far from being in the top ten (or even 100) food photographers I have gotten some awesome shots as well as some really embarrassingly bad ones. For every image you see on my blog I have taken 50 to 100 images and spent a couple of hours with photoshop — trimming, enhancing, and perfecting. If you are photographing food natural light is best. Don’t stand too far back, with food you want to get that lick the computer screen effect and you can only get that with close shots.
What camera do you shoot with? Do you have a favorite lens?
This is pathetic but I haven’t been able to afford a really good camera. I use a digital Nikon Coolpix L100, which has a nice close-up setting. It is in the $300.00 to $400.00 range. My other camera is an old Canon 35mm which my son is using for his college photography classes at the moment.
What are some of the most common mistakes you see amateur photographers make?
Composition is important, and most photographers will tell you it is the most important, but I like for an image to tell me a story, whether it is a food shot or a cityscape. Think about what you want your audience to think and feel when they look at your image and then create those feelings with your camera shot.
What will you be looking for in the HubPatron of the Arts photo contest entries?
I will be looking for images that draw me in, that tell me a story as well as telling me something about the photographer. What makes your images unique from anyone elses?
Do you have any other advice that you’d give to photographers, professional and amateur alike?
Take lots and lots and lots and lots of pictures! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and don’t play it safe or copy someone else’s style.
[Thanks, Marye Audet!]
For more information about the HubPatron of the Arts contest, visit the official contest page.
HubPages Blog 
It is great to get tips from a judge and photographer. This contest has inspired me to publish some of my own photography and it has been great fun. I appreciate the reminder to stay authentic. So many people are very talented and it makes me sometimes want t try that style. I shall stick with the “birdie” view. Thanks, Hyphenbird.
This is really helpful, as I’m new to both hubpages and photography. Thank you!
Enjoyed the interview and the useful tips. Like Hyphenbird, this contest has inspired me to publish some of my own photography and it’s been fun putting some Photo Gallery hubs together.
The great thing about having a digital camera is that it is easy to take many photos and though it’s still time consuming to crop, enhance and try to perfect them, it’s also quite gratifying. I have a long way to go before I reach the level of skill that I’ve seen in some of the other hubber entries in this current contest, but I appreciate the opportunity create hubs that are hopefully more visually attractive than the ones I was previously doing.
Thank you, Marye Audet, for taking time out of your busy schedule to be one of the judges.
Dear Marye.
It seems you are multi-talented! This relates to your turkey prep. I have basted mine with broth, then drained the broth. Should I cover the turkey? Should I heat the turkey? In other words, what do I do now?Thanks.
Marilyn O’Brien