Food Photography
Nov 13, 2014 11:11:38 #
A friend is interested in doing food photography and asked for equipment recommendations, principally camera and lens selection criteria. The budget is up to $ 1000.
I would welcome comments from members with interest and experience in this field--what are camera sensor and lens parameters that are of particular importance?
Thank you
I would welcome comments from members with interest and experience in this field--what are camera sensor and lens parameters that are of particular importance?
Thank you
Nov 13, 2014 12:18:21 #
Can't say that I have seen much comment on food photography at this site.
Most ezines have tutorials on how to photograph food and also Youtube will have videos. Suggest that you look there for ideas and take note of what kit is used.
As food photography is generally a 'set piece' any dslr or interchangeable lens camera would be good. A good strong tripod (capable of taking a verticle shooting position too).
lighting with softbox or standard light stands rather than flash (?) and the construction of a reasonably large light box (Stage with white sides and top so that you isolate subjects 'as if' floating on a white back-ground)
There are lots of 'tricks' associated with food photography from using varnish on pastry to dry ice as steam. also lens filters to enhance colour and reduce glare (CP) Main one being to get hold of fantasticaly well produced products - run of the mill will not do....You also need lots of napkins and different table settings, odd quirky bowls and plates etc
As an ex chef I was tempted to go this route but being out in the sticks and away from a city's good sources sugested that I tried another field
good luck and hope this helps a little
Most ezines have tutorials on how to photograph food and also Youtube will have videos. Suggest that you look there for ideas and take note of what kit is used.
As food photography is generally a 'set piece' any dslr or interchangeable lens camera would be good. A good strong tripod (capable of taking a verticle shooting position too).
lighting with softbox or standard light stands rather than flash (?) and the construction of a reasonably large light box (Stage with white sides and top so that you isolate subjects 'as if' floating on a white back-ground)
There are lots of 'tricks' associated with food photography from using varnish on pastry to dry ice as steam. also lens filters to enhance colour and reduce glare (CP) Main one being to get hold of fantasticaly well produced products - run of the mill will not do....You also need lots of napkins and different table settings, odd quirky bowls and plates etc
As an ex chef I was tempted to go this route but being out in the sticks and away from a city's good sources sugested that I tried another field
good luck and hope this helps a little
Nov 13, 2014 12:41:53 #
Thank you for you comments.
I have, of course, looked at sites on the internet and found information, not necessarily consistent, so I hoped that some members here might have specific ideas or recommendations.
I have, of course, looked at sites on the internet and found information, not necessarily consistent, so I hoped that some members here might have specific ideas or recommendations.
G Brown wrote:
Can't say that I have seen much comment on food ph... (show quote)
Nov 13, 2014 13:06:49 #
Nov 13, 2014 13:34:54 #
Not sure that $1000 is enough to get into that field. Aside from camera and lens, there is studio equipment and a ton of various odd items that are needed to make food look good on camera. Various sprays to make a bottle of beer look cold and dripping with moisture for instance. Those folks know A LOT of tricks and need to have the material to carry them all off.
Nov 13, 2014 13:35:57 #
As G Brown alluded to, lighting (and knowing how to use it) is probably more important than the camera. A softbox or two, reflectors and a couple of smaller light sources (gridded spots) to give some (highlight) life to the food would be useful. I've had some commercial experience with food shoots (large format) but that was over 20 years ago.
Nov 13, 2014 13:38:25 #
HelGol, food photography at the pro level is way to specialized to just walk into. You don't say where in Cal you or your friend is.
I suggest your friend find a food photographer and if your friend is an experienced photographer maybe they can help for free for a few months to a year, then they will know what camera to get and how to shoot it. I have participated in a couple of shoots and done even take a camera. I'm just a gopher.
Or, if your friend is really good with food, they can do the same but with a Food Stylist. That would achieve the same thing. All good food pros use a stylist.
You can use any camera, but most pros are using D800's or MF, depending on your eventual goals. Good luck.
SS
I suggest your friend find a food photographer and if your friend is an experienced photographer maybe they can help for free for a few months to a year, then they will know what camera to get and how to shoot it. I have participated in a couple of shoots and done even take a camera. I'm just a gopher.
Or, if your friend is really good with food, they can do the same but with a Food Stylist. That would achieve the same thing. All good food pros use a stylist.
You can use any camera, but most pros are using D800's or MF, depending on your eventual goals. Good luck.
SS
Nov 13, 2014 13:45:21 #
Thank you all for your comments and suggestions, they are well taken. My main thought was that food photography provides a rather well defined set of spatial parameters, i.e. object sizes, distances, etc. DOF control would seem to be an important issue as well as optimal view angles (i.e. lens focal length). Of course, IQ is critical as well as lighting, food presentation/preparation, etc.
Nov 23, 2014 21:24:15 #
HelGol wrote:
A friend is interested in doing food photography and asked for equipment recommendations, principally camera and lens selection criteria. The budget is up to $ 1000.
I would welcome comments from members with interest and experience in this field--what are camera sensor and lens parameters that are of particular importance?
Thank you
I would welcome comments from members with interest and experience in this field--what are camera sensor and lens parameters that are of particular importance?
Thank you
#2 is good lighting. #1 is a food stylist. Buy a big Mac, look at it and then look at the photo of a Big Mac. Not even close right? Food photography is making a silk purse from a sows ear. Trust me.
Nov 24, 2014 06:57:31 #
HelGol wrote:
A friend is interested in doing food photography and asked for equipment recommendations, principally camera and lens selection criteria. The budget is up to $ 1000.
I would welcome comments from members with interest and experience in this field--what are camera sensor and lens parameters that are of particular importance?
Thank you
I would welcome comments from members with interest and experience in this field--what are camera sensor and lens parameters that are of particular importance?
Thank you
Commercial food photography is highly specialized, the camera alone will cost around 25K. Then as others have said, there is studio, lighting lenses, props assistants etc.
A good start is to look at food shots in magazines and learn to recognize the lighting, try to replicate the water glistening off the bottle of Bourbon. Figure out how the photographer get that golden color? See what you can do with a crop sensor, your living room, and a reflector next to a window.
Then go find a photographer and get hired as their assistant.
Nov 25, 2014 08:32:42 #
Product photography is similar to sports photography in that if you need to ask how much the equipment costs, you probably should not be considering entering the field.
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