Food Styling for Photographers

CHAPTER SEVEN

interior, complete that task now and cover the cut area
with a piece of plastic wrap. You will need to move
quickly toward fi nal photography. Brush the color mixture
you have selected onto the outer surfaces of the meat.
After the color is applied to the hero meat, avoid touch-
ing the meat in areas the camera will see. If spices, herbs,
or other condiments are to be applied to the meat, do
that now. To maneuver the meat onto the hero plate, use
a spatula if possible. Move the meat to the hero plate and
transport it to set. Adjust positions of other food items
on the plate if necessary. Th e cooked surface of the meat
should look slightly moist, but not soupy. Additional
toppings like sauce, pepper, and herbs can be added to
the meat at this time.

Building Slices on the Hero Plate

Slices can be used alone on a plate to represent the type
of meat. However, if you are arranging slices on the
plate with a section of uncut meat, arrange the slices
after the larger cut of meat is colored and positioned on
the plate. Look at the slices you’ve cut and pick the hero
slices out of the group. Find the very best one and save
it for placement closest to camera. Start building the
slices starting with the slice furthest from camera.
Unwrap one slice at a time and place it in position on
the plate. Work quickly. Do not place the slice closest
to camera until you are certain the arrangement of slices

is as you desire. Carefully brush color on the cooked

edges of the slices that are seen by the camera. Add the

fi nal hero slice of meat to the arrangement. Brush color

on its cooked edges. Using a clean brush dipped in cool

water, brush any interior surfaces on the meat and on

the slices that are seen by camera. Keep the interior of

the meat moist with water until fi nal photography is

completed.

Supplies used to complete the skirt steak shot:

● evo Tabletop Grill

● Anchor Hocking Premium Grip 9-in. × 13-in. baking

pan

● Messermeister Chefl amme professional culinary torch

and San Moritz elite 5-inch chef ’s knife

● STRETCH-TITE plastic food wrap

● OXO Good Grips 12-inch tongs with nylon

heads

● Landscaping stone

● Vegetable oil

● Coloring ingredients

● Artist’s brush

● Plastic bulb-type droppers