With so much discussed in previous food photography post's, I still feel there is lot much to be learn, explore and experience. Food photography is not just about adjusting your camera or backgrounds or playing around with your props. There are zillion things involved in making a good food photo. Ample sun light....proper background....clicking when food is still fresh, appropriate props, perfect angle and much more....When food blogging has become an hobby then collecting props is become an passion. Collecting appropriate and with in budget props is always challenging. Sometimes blog props can look beautiful to the eye but not appealing through your camera lens. So you have to think, concentrate and invest......
Today the guest author who is going to share her passion about food photography is highly acclaimed for her cooking, baking, photographing, collection of blog props and who always starts her food post's with beautiful quote. She has immense collection of beautiful, earthy, ethnic and rustic blog props. Simple whites to colorful blog ware which she uses to accessorize her food pictures. Sometimes her food pictures take you a trip down the lanes of old Delhi. She loves to collect food props....I think by now you might have guessed her.....Yeah you are correct she is none other than Deeba of Passionate About Baking. Deeba being busy with her in house guest, trips and travels, she took out time and done this fabulous post. Thank you Deeba....Scroll down to see whatDeeba says on Food Photography and Styling.
"Food supports a story. Remember, there is a story behind everything you shoot." Adam Pearson
When Lubna from Yummy Food asked me to do a guest post on food photography for her blog it was an instant yes, even though I still wish for more time in a day to get me off the auto mode {yes, sorry but I am much the auto person}. This post will talk about everything other than the technicalities of the camera. For that, I hope one day I find some time to educate myself.
IMHO, framing is the key to any photograph. It is the person behind the camera, their vision and creativity that captures the moment. I am in no way qualified to write about photography, but am happy to share the little I know. Take a look at food blogs around the net and you feel a sense of immense inspiration, the want to emulate, the desire to get the best equipment, the best props, everything good.
I'll talk you through food photography and styling from my point of view. Try and develop your personal style. I burst with pride when someone tells me that they saw a picture on Facebook, Flickr, Tastespotting,Pinterest orFoodGawker and they instantly knew it was mine. They often say, it had the 'Deeba' stamp on it. Then I know that I have created my own little style, one that I can play with, experiment and explore.
Little did I know that just thinking of the guest post would make me so happy. I delved into my box of props, I rummaged through my largely disorganised cupboards, I enjoyed the connect with each piece I've collected over time. Each prop has a story behind it, a connect that I relive with a passion and that helps me enjoy the experience.
.
Take time to collect little bits and bobs. I have built my collection over years. Lets start with basics. Most of the time, nothing works better than whites. If you have one choice, go for white crockery. It pairs well with all accessories, it showcases food beautifully and makes the mood happy! My basic whites have come mainly from Sydney where I love to shop for basic ceramics, and locally from Tarini in Gurgaon and Osaba in Delhi.
I also collect old vintage pots and pans with a vengeance. Much of my collection and related passion began with one visit to this small shop on Janpath in New Delhi. Now I rummage through my mothers cupboards while my aunts save their old stuff for me. Just 2 days ago I chanced upon a roadside shanty shop run by gypsied from Rajasthan {banjaras} and thanks to Mr PABs encouragement, came back with 'stuff'.
I bought this beautiful old hand crafted wooden box with hand made metal cutwork, a smaller box for the teens knick knacks and a milk 'canister' handpainted in the rural, rustic Marwari style. Not food props but inspirational! The box was restored by me and Man Friday, and is now a 'house' for food props.
Try and work with a theme in mind, pick a colour combination and try and keep to it through the post. Remember to take fun pictures during the process to add some variety to your pictures. Keep the focus on food; don't let the props take away from the subject! If you are obsessive like me, you'll take too many, different angles, different light... Maybe a couple with the basic ingredients of the recipe too as that often
makes for a nice dyptich!
Try different backgrounds. White always works well and I have a couple of white sunmica boards for the base. They are easy to carry around and easy to wipe down too. Find the spot you love best. I also have a favourite corner in my front yard which gives me a shadowed finish. I stock some wooden crates from the local sabziwala / vegetable & fruit vendor, and a couple of weathered boards.
Different bases & moods add variety to your blog. I have a very rustic and distressed interest in my photographs, so I tend to use vintage and unfinished props; for eg most of the cloth napkins I use don't all have tailored edges. I often walk into my neighbourhood shop and get 25cms of different small print fabrics. My collection has plenty of unmatched spoons, knives forks etc to pair with my food.
Play with light. Take a couple of pictures against the light and some in the other direction to determine the mood you want. Download the results and compare. It's good to try a little creativity on your own because that'll give you a sense of satisfaction. Study food pictures on blogs and food photography sites. {My current obsession is Pinterest}. Its always easy to find inspiration from other bloggers but don't let that cramp your personal style.
. 
Seek another opinion sometimes. I often get so fed up of my pictures that I have to ask Mr PAB, and sometimes {read mostly} donot take his criticism well. You will be surprised at the different ways different people view things.
Plan ahead. Very important. Try and do your photography in the morning when the kids are at school, the better halves are at work, the household help has left and the neighbours are away. I am guilty of running up and down with food and props, sometimes embarrassed to see the neighbours looking at me strangely! And oh yes, click when the baby is sleeping!
We have a new addition to our family, little Coco, and she LOVES to mess around when I am shooting. I tend to click her more than the food as she is so cute and photogenic! I try and sneak out when she is in lala land at 11am! Find your time so you can enjoy what you do!
Have I said too much already? I hope you ave enjoyed this as much as I did! Thank you for having me over at your beautiful 'kitchen' Lubna.
You can find Deeba at her
Posts
