Recommendations for a cell phone to take FOOD pictures?

12 years ago

I think it may be time to upgrade my little flip phone--it's good for calling and texting but I can't do too much more than that with it. Yes, I can take pictures but they really don't come out well and there is no way to send them anywhere as a decent attachment since I don't use the phone for any internet connection.

We're on a basic plan with Verizon, so I'd like to stay with Verizon and keep the plan at the same price point (or close to it = $70/mo).

I'd like a phone that will take food pictures so I can sent it to myself by email as an attachment, and also, of course, be able to have lots of free calling and free texting (if possible).

It's been YEARS since I did this kind of shopping for a cell phone.

Does anyone have suggestions of a phone that will suit my needs AND take really good photos of food? DH is going to keep his cell phone because he only needs it for calling, and not texting or anything else.

Thanks!
Smiles,
Sooz

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

User
12 years ago
Sooz, all the food photos I've taken in the last two or three weeks have been taken with my new Samsung Galaxy S5. It has a 16 Meg Camera. I bought this phone because of the camera. I like some of the functions, like being able to focus on something and blur the background.

I hated the camera on the iphone and never used it for food photos.

Every photo in this last blog post was taken with the Samsung.

Here is a link that might be useful: Food Photos taken with Samsung Galaxy S5

This post was edited by ann_t on Sat, Jun 28, 14 at 21:06
sooz
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks, Ann!!! Your photos are always so beautiful, and I'm amazed at the photos on the link that were taken with your new Samsung!

Oh, I posted a pix of two different lemon bars under the other thread about Sharon's Lemon Graham Slice--the one from Sharon's recipe is on the left. You can see I added a little bit of yellow food color.

Smiles,
Sooz
Related Discussions
Cell phones
Q
Comments (17)
Thank you for all the kind words. I agree that my job first and foremost is to be a parent and teach my children values and that you earn what you have. We do have gaming systems, a couple in fact, along with computers (2) and games for them. But homework and chores are done first, then 30 minutes of time ONLY on one of the games. Time for research on the computer is given, but if you've asked for research or homework time on the computer, I'd better not catch you doing anything else. Though my older kids I did let them IM while doing homework, but by that time the sense that homework or research must be the focus was ingrained. I let my older children, including my daughter, have the buy your minutes cell for the same reason as Linda. My children walked to school, and Tiffy still does, until they could buy their first car. It's a safety precaution. It also allows her to remind me when she's going to be late for one reason or another. But I can't see the reason for a child who does not walk to school to have, at a very young age, a cell phone that they take to school. My 11 yr old knows that despite what his friends have or don't, their parents don't make the rules for our house. I don't let them roam the neighborhood either. They may walk to the park a half block from my house with a friend or sibling, but if I've given permission to go somewhere, that's where they'd better be. I do have fun with and enjoy my children. I don't want to give the wrong message here. But I am their parent first and foremost and a friend secondly. Oddly enough, my older children will discuss anything in their lives with me, including some things that I'd really rather not be privy too in the case of my grown sons. I have a very good relationship with all my children. But they know that I am their parent above all. It's my job to keep them safe and teach them what life is about and I only have about 18-19 years to teach them the things that will shape their lives for, God willing, another 70 -80 years after they are grown. I'm not knocking parents who do allow their young children to have a phone, to each their own and I'm sure you have your reasons. Also not trying to make myself sound like an ogress or "super mom", I'm neither, and just expressing my views on parenting. My children have been my greatest joys, my sanity and insanity and my lifeline through some of the worst times of my life. They, along with my precious husband :), are the focus of everything I do, no matter what it is. Kathy
...See More
New pictures of my brugs (had to use cell phone to take them)
Q
Comments (7)
Thank for all your nice replies. Even with those crappy pictures I took. They really do look much better. We've had some warm days and cool nights, around 50 degrees. About two weeks ago I finally experienced what the lack of water can do to a potted brug. OMG! I walked outside and the leaves were as wilted as can be. I panicked like crazy. I came in to get water as fast as I could. I have never seen a plant react so fast to getting water. I went in to get more water, and by the time I came back out I could already notice a difference. It was amazing. I am so hoping that I get to see the other bloom. I already seen one bloom earlier when I bought these, and they looked bad in my opinion. However, it still produced one single fully opened beautiful white bloom. Now it has about 15-20 buds/pods on it, and the one I haven't seen bloom has just as many. I hope we'll get enough warm weather so I can at least see what it looks like. I think when I purchased it the tag said pink, but what color pink I don't know. The white was beautiful. I walked over to it each day and just admired it. I was in heaven. I only wish I had gotten around to getting these in the ground. They looked bad to me when I first got them and even with all the advice I got here I just didn't think I could do anything to make them look any better. In my zone with enough time to get a good root system they could have survived the winter. However, it's to late for that now. I just have to hope that I can continue to care for them in their dormant state and keep them going. I am so proud of them. Thanks to everyone here who offered advice. Some of it I took, and most of it I forgot. *LOL* I have taken in so much information about brugs since August I feel my brain is overloaded and cannot remember half of it. Either way, Thanks to all and especially Karyn. I hope you'll all guide me through the winter as well with these potted brugs.
...See More
Cell Phone Camera Operation Question...
Q
Comments (2)
zep516, thanks for the reply. He does not have electricity or internet access where he wants to see but does have cell phone coverage. The thought was that it would be easier to have a solar panel--he could keep a cell phone charged, but probably not a lap top. He'd love the bird watching idea though. Thank you!
...See More
fyi--for anyone who posts pics. from your cell phone- fyi
Q
Comments (2)
you should be able to turn that option off on your cell phone. some cameras have it also.
...See More
User
12 years ago
Once you get a good phone/camera, you'll need to learn how to take good pictures with it. God knows I can't do it.

There are plenty of sites online that will teach you skills and tricks, not only for your specific phone, but ones that will work with any camera.

canarybird wrote up incredibly useful, detailed instructions for taking food pictures a few years ago, too.

And it's still here

Here is a link that might be useful: Food photo tips
chas045
12 years ago
ann_t (and momj); I hope this doesn't feel off topic, but since you had such a strong reaction against the camera of your i-phone, could you let us know why it felt unsatisfactory? I was under the impression that Apple made a serious effort to be better than average. I could imagine that the basic on board apps might be minimal (allowing app designers to have something to sell), but I would have also assumed that you would have experimented with some secondary programs.
User
12 years ago
Chas, forgive the pun, but it is like comparing apples to oranges comparing the camera on the iphone 4 to the Samsung Galaxy S5. The iphone 4 has a 5 megp. camera and the new Samsung has a 16 megp camera. The new iphone still only has an 8 megp. camera. Also the Samsung screen is considerably larger. Since I use my phone mostly as a computer and camera the larger screen works for me.

I did experiment with a number of different camera apps on the iphone. But the camera was still just a 5 megp. It wasn't as good as my digital camera.

I haven't yet added any photo/camera apps to the Samsung.

~Ann

Here is a link that might be useful: Comparing Iphone 5S to Galaxy S5
mike_kaiser_gw
12 years ago
The camera quality on a cell phone is pretty much directly related to, well, the "cost" of the phone. There's no such thing as a great camera on a cheap phone. You might consider a decent camera and not spend more on cellular service.
cloudy_christine
12 years ago
The iPhone 5s has a fantastic camera.
sushipup1
12 years ago
"You might consider a decent camera and not spend more on cellular service."

Then you are carrying around two devices, which is exactly what Sooz wants to avoid.

My vote is for the Galaxy, too.
sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
12 years ago
Any smart phone these days, purchased now, will give good results. Just play smart/dumb when you are in the store and ask for quick hints...like "hey, this is so new to me"...(show them your old flip phone)..."I need and want a photo help lesson now". "show me how to take a pic and how to delete"...

That way, when home, you can toy with it...take many pics and delete as you experiment setting up a piece of fruit or veggie here and there trying different lighting...not when a hot meal needs to be on the table...experimenting you will know what works.

Just get the basics down if this is your first...then go through the manual....

Ann-t is correct on better phone cameras but often i am satisfied with what i have. A good pic is the one taken, and handy. Our phones are with us always and more often than a side camera bag lugged around.

I would follow ann's advice if it fits the budget. (my eyes spin when deciding a new phone and all the gab speak and hidden costs but it is not at all like it used to be).

I doubt you will be spending much more than you are now per month? And have a much better tool in your pocket or bag. Or not notice the cost as it is so great having so many options at hand...
moosemac
12 years ago
Another vote for the Samsung Galaxy S5. Love mine! It takes fabulous pictures.
Teresa_MN
12 years ago
Another vote for the Galaxy S5. Although the S4 has a fantastic camera also. Now that the S5 is out you should be able to get a great deal on the S4.

I've never owned an iPhone so I have no input on it.

Recommendations for a cell phone to take FOOD pictures?

Comments (11)

User

sooz
Original Author

Related Discussions

User

chas045

User

mike_kaiser_gw

cloudy_christine

sushipup1

sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)

moosemac

Teresa_MN

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Recommendations for a cell phone to take FOOD pictures?

Comments (11)

soozOriginal Author

Related Discussions

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

sooz
Original Author