Food Photography?....More Like Torture

   I knew when I chose a food magazine layout it would require me researching food photography which then requires me looking at food porn...yet I did it to myself anyways. Now, here I am, looking at food I want to eat and can't have. Thankfully, some good things did come out of it.
   There are 8 main things to take into account with food photography
        1. Lighting- best if its natural, but can be amplified with artificial lighting
        2. Props-don't clutter the shoot, only consider one or two extra props, such as a fork or napkin
        3.  Speed-if your food is at risk of melting or losing its color
        4. Style-pay attention to the balance of color and the way the food sits on the plate
        5. Enhancements-use vegetable oil to give food a natural glow
        6. Angle-better shots are done by getting close to the plate's level
        7. Macro-focusing in on a specific part of the dish
        8.  Steam-can give the "just made" feel
   Lucky for me since I am doing baked goods and my food won't be steaming or melting, all I have to worry about is lighting, props, style, enhancements, angle, and macro...I know its still a lot, but I'll take 6 things to worry about over 8 any day.

    As can be seen in the image to the left, there are three possible options to lighting placement. However, since option A creates a shadow there's really only two options...so who knows why they included the third option as one anyways. It is best to have the lighting come from an angle, as can be seen in B and C so to avoid shadows.

   The photo to the right exhibits a major photography error...the camera slant (it even sounds terrible). Some beginning photographers think this technique creates an interesting composition for views, they were wrong.  It is important to keep the camera as still and as steady as possible. Thankfully, there is now one less newbie that one try to take a crooked picture.




   Researching all this I realize that I still have so much more to know, Ill be back soon with more food photography knowledge!

Love,
Liz

Team, T. S. (2015, March 04). The Serious Eats Guide to Food Photography. Retrieved March 15, 2017, from http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/03/beginners-guide-to-food-photography.html

Food Photography: How to Take Mouth Watering Shots of Food. (2014, December 14). Retrieved March 15, 2017, from https://digital-photography-school.com/food-photography-an-introduction/

A Basic Food Photography Kit. (2009, June 26). Retrieved March 15, 2017, from https://digital-photography-school.com/a-basic-food-photography-kit/