Food is an attractive subject for photographers. Colors, forms, texture, lights, and shadows inspire us to retain that beauty in an image. A tasty course served in a lovely plate is the result of some required steps which are as important as the meal itself. I enjoy good food as well as taking pictures. From raw ingredient to a delicious meal there are many possibles images that can be taken.
There are some things we have to know about the labour of a cook before starting our shoot: How is space where he works? Does it have some natural source of light? Can I place my tripods easily?
Besides is also important to have some familiarity with the use of utensils: How does the light reflect on the curve surface of a spoon? At which distance is convenient to shot a pan with frying oil?
In this post, I share some tips to achieve good results in the capture of the process of cooking.
1. Know the Trade
When taking pictures in a kitchen it is important to have some knowledge about how a cook works. The way he/she moves around that kitchen, the different utensils he/she uses, the time for each ingredient to be ready. This will make easier both their job and ours.
2. Select The “Instant Précis”
During a meal preparation, some actions are essential for a successful dish. The eye of a photographer has to be prepared to identify such moments in the development of the recipe: breaking eggs, adding milk to a preparation, beating cream, pouring broth.
3. Not Only the Food Is Interesting.
Food is attractive for photographers: color, lights, and shadows, textures, etc. But in a kitchen, there are many other things that can enrich our shots. The reflection of light on an old spoon, the texture of an unwashed bowl, the moving hands of the cook kneading the dough.
4. Show the Sequence.
Preparing a meal is a succession of events with a precise order. The photos can show this sequence to help the spectator understand the cooking process. If our pictures will illustrate a recipe (ex. they will be published in a cookbook), it is highly recommended to show each step of the process according to the text that explains it. If the purpose of those photos is another we do not have to respect a precise order of the sequence.
Tips by laura nazar
Since we are kids we are familiarized with kitchen’s world when we have our first experience with food: color, smell, texture. Even if we are not gourmands we are able to appreciate healthy and flavorous ingredients.
This a slight list of tips that can enrich our job:
1. Know the trade
2. Select the “instant précis
3. Not only the food is interesting
4. Show the sequence.
Besides an accurate look of kitchen’s utensils, its components, and the different ingredients a cook uses to add an extra tip to our work.
Finally, I might say that the most important “ingredient” for better photos on food is patience and enjoyment while taking our pictures.
Thank you for reading this post and I hope my text may help to improve your photo-food shots.
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