Food Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots

90 food PhoTogrAPhY: from snAPshoTs To greAT shoTs

•    Brushes: I often like to add shine to food items such as cooked veggies or meat, so

I’ll add some oil to a prep dish and use a brush to “paint on” the oil.

•    Spray bottle: I have a little spray bottle filled with water to add mist to food like

salad or fresh fruits and vegetables.

•    Grater and peeler: These are great for preparing garnishes, such as Parmesan

cheese or lemon zest.

using sTAnd-ins

If you’re familiar with movie or television production, you know that the lights need

to be set for each scene, which usually takes quite a while. So, instead of having the

main actors sit or stand on the set while the lights are being moved and measured,

“stand-ins” (people who have a similar look to the actors) take their place so the

actors can relax, have their makeup fixed, memorize their lines, or simply stay in char-

acter. A similar method is used in food photography.

Canon 5D Mark II

ISO 100

1/8 sec. at f/8

70–200mm lens

FIgure 4.5

This mint was bought the day it was photo-

graphed and is fresh out of the refrigerator.

Canon 5D Mark II

ISO 100

1/8 sec. at f/8

70–200mm lens

FIgure 4.6

This was photographed 30 minutes

after I photographed Figure 4.5.