The art of food photography

Abstract

Light, to a photographer, is the medium used to create with. It is the palette with which the photographer mixes colour and tones to create an image. This applies as much to food photography as to any other field of photography. In this mini-thesis the reader will be led into the world of food photography and he/she will be introduced to the food photographer and the way he/she has to go about creating a food photograph. The reader will take a "walk" through the food studio, where the cameras and lighting equipment will be explained. A "visit" to the all important kitchen area will then commence and the way prop's and garnishes are used, will be laid out. The final " ingredients" of the food photograph will then be added. These are the mood of the photograph and the option to photograph on location. The above will be shown by examples of the author's own work, as well as examples from other food photographers. The author's work will be discussed and a detailed layout will be given of how a specific photograph was produced. Fi nally, the interaction between photographer and client will be discussed. This is a very important part of food photography, as it is a more commercial field of photography and the relationship between the client and the photographer plays an immense role in the success of the food photographer. With this in mind, let us begin the tour..