Food Styling for Photographers

GLOSSARY

the subject matter of the image. Also called a “down
shot.”

Photo food: Food that is the subject of or an element
in a photographic assignment.

Photo life: Length of time the quality of a specifi c item
remains ideal for photography.

Pop: Th e process of making an element stand apart and
distinct, so that it gets more visual attention than other
elements within a photographic presentation.

Portfolio: Compilation of selected examples of work
achieved by an individual that are used to promote the
individual for business purposes.

Prep: Preliminary preparation of individual food
components.

Production team: Any number of persons associated
with or participating in the action of completing assigned
photography.

Refl ector: See fi ll card.

Selective focus: Focusing the camera lens to be crisp in
detail on a certain area in a shot while letting the perim-
eter areas go soft.

Separation: Elements made to stand apart and distinct
within a photographic presentation.

Set: Th e background, lighting, and camera involved in

a photograph. Th e camera is placed in a predetermined

position to focus on the set. Lighting equipment, refl ec-

tors, fi ll cards, etc., are arranged around the set to create

the desired lighting eff ects. (Th e sets for the majority of

the images in this book were created on surfaces much

like sturdy tabletops. Th e tabletops are covered with

selected fabrics, hand-painted fl ats, etc., to create the

desired surface for photography. If the camera view

extends beyond the surface, a wall, backdrop, or back-

ground is used to complete the depth of the set.)

Set tray: Portable tray that holds assembled tools and

supplies used by a stylist when working on a photo-

graphic set.

Shoot: Photographic assignment or session.

Shot: One specifi c photographic assignment or

representation.

Stand-in: Substitute for the hero during the preparation

of lighting, camera, etc.

Style: To bring a food element or elements into confor-

mity using specifi c techniques.

Surface: Area of a photographic set where items are

placed in view of the camera. Th e surface is generally a