Food Photography for new Fast Food Chain

[photonewb]

Hi All,

A brief bit about me - I recently bought my first ever DSLR - Canon 600D with 18-55 IS II, 55-250 IS II and 50 f1.8 prime. I am very new at photography in general. I recently photographed an interior design project after reading and watching online tutorials. I do read a lot about photography but I have very limited practical experience. Cambridge in Colour has been an awesome resource!
I also enjoy creating time lapse videos/images. Installed Magic Lantern yesterday on my camera and it seems to help a lot.

Do let me know if I should add any more info.

I might get to photograph dishes on the menu for a new Indian Fast Food Chain that might be opening in my city. I say might because I have heard that they are looking for a photographer but nothing has been finalized yet. I feel that if I am a bit entrepreneurial and hard-working (also charge way way way less) I can get this project. I will of course have to provide them with test shots or some sort of a portfolio.

I have been reading about photographing food and I will continue to read and practice. These are the articles that I found most helpful -
http://www.lightstalking.com/how-to-photograph-food
http://dinnerwithjulie.com/2013/10/30/photograph-food/


I would love it if any of you could share ways that might help me with this whole quest. I shall ask some specific questions too -
1. Is it wise for me to spend time and effort on this? Is this within a beginner's reach?
2. Should I use a light box or use natural light for photographing food?
3. I know a whole industry runs on making food look photogenic. I don't have experience at 'dressing up' food. Is this an area that might cause a lot of problems?
4. How can I go about convincing them to give me this project apart from showing great shots that I have taken?

Sorry if some of the questions are a bit vague.

Thank you for your help.

[IzzieK]

You know...for a start, you should fill up your profile. Everybody here refers to each other with a first name...then you can get fast replies to your question...as easy as that.

[shreds]

Photonewb,

I appreciate your enthusiasm, but price alone will not get you the job, in fact it may well highlight your lack of experience. Lowest quote is not always the best.

In terms of your questions;

The time and money factor is something only you can decide.

Do you know who else they will be inviting to do the shoot….who are you up against….their best mate with a P&S or established Pros with a reputation and portfolios to show and confirm their work quality.

I would set about creating my own portfolio, not just for this job, (which may be beyond your reach at present) but for other future jobs. You could spend a fortune getting all the kit and lighting etc etc and not get the job. How would you feel then? If you are serious about this type of photography, develop it as a longer term objective. If you **** it up, they could sue you and never get offered any such jobs again.

…...Which brings me to something else. When you do start commercial shooting, ensure you have adequate professional liability insurance. If they were relying on your pics for say a new menu launch and you couldn't deliver, who are they going to turn to for recompense? You!

Natural lighting is generally some of the best light, but never mid day.

However, shooting food is normally done in a studio due to insects, wind and general outside influences.

Arranging and lighting the food is critical to a successful shoot. This can be very challenging, its not just a case of sticking a plate under the lens!

Why not get in touch with a pro food photographer and ask to help/watch. Be honest about your intensions, they will not be looking for competition, but if you can get them jobs they will be much more amenable.

HTH

[JR1]

Hi All,

A brief bit about me - I recently bought my first ever DSLR - Canon 600D with 18-55 IS II, 55-250 IS II and 50 f1.8 prime. I am very new at photography in general. I recently photographed an interior design project after reading and watching online tutorials. I do read a lot about photography but I have very limited practical experience. Cambridge in Colour has been an awesome resource!
I also enjoy creating time lapse videos/images. Installed Magic Lantern yesterday on my camera and it seems to help a lot.

Do let me know if I should add any more info.

I might get to photograph dishes on the menu for a new Indian Fast Food Chain that might be opening in my city. I say might because I have heard that they are looking for a photographer but nothing has been finalized yet. I feel that if I am a bit entrepreneurial and hard-working (also charge way way way less) I can get this project. I will of course have to provide them with test shots or some sort of a portfolio.

I have been reading about photographing food and I will continue to read and practice. These are the articles that I found most helpful -
http://www.lightstalking.com/how-to-photograph-food
http://dinnerwithjulie.com/2013/10/30/photograph-food/


I would love it if any of you could share ways that might help me with this whole quest. I shall ask some specific questions too -
1. Is it wise for me to spend time and effort on this? Is this within a beginner's reach?
2. Should I use a light box or use natural light for photographing food?
3. I know a whole industry runs on making food look photogenic. I don't have experience at 'dressing up' food. Is this an area that might cause a lot of problems?
4. How can I go about convincing them to give me this project apart from showing great shots that I have taken?

Sorry if some of the questions are a bit vague.

Thank you for your help.

We'll if you go to my site you will see that I do this sort of thing, in fact I have just completed a "book" for Age UK, take a look and PM me (look under published)

[Shadowman]

Hi All,

A brief bit about me - I recently bought my first ever DSLR - Canon 600D with 18-55 IS II, 55-250 IS II and 50 f1.8 prime. I am very new at photography in general. I recently photographed an interior design project after reading and watching online tutorials. I do read a lot about photography but I have very limited practical experience. Cambridge in Colour has been an awesome resource!
I also enjoy creating time lapse videos/images. Installed Magic Lantern yesterday on my camera and it seems to help a lot.

Do let me know if I should add any more info.

I might get to photograph dishes on the menu for a new Indian Fast Food Chain that might be opening in my city. I say might because I have heard that they are looking for a photographer but nothing has been finalized yet. I feel that if I am a bit entrepreneurial and hard-working (also charge way way way less) I can get this project. I will of course have to provide them with test shots or

Sorry if some of the questions are a bit vague.

Thank you for your help.

The big questions are: how much time will you have to develop your skills and what are you capable of achieving right at this moment? Start out, after you've updated your profile, by photographing a dish and posting the image to this forum. Use different light settings, candlelight, available room light and give a description of what you were trying to achieve with the images.

[photonewb]

You know...for a start, you should fill up your profile. Everybody here refers to each other with a first name...then you can get fast replies to your question...as easy as that.

Hi Isabel,

I do plan on updating my profile...Kind of...Maybe.
I am always wary of sharing personal info on the internet. You never know how TMZ will use it when one day I am super famous and filthy rich!

What's in a name?

[photonewb]

Photonewb,

I appreciate your enthusiasm, but price alone will not get you the job, in fact it may well highlight your lack of experience. Lowest quote is not always the best.

In terms of your questions;

The time and money factor is something only you can decide.

Do you know who else they will be inviting to do the shoot….who are you up against….their best mate with a P&S or established Pros with a reputation and portfolios to show and confirm their work quality.

I would set about creating my own portfolio, not just for this job, (which may be beyond your reach at present) but for other future jobs. You could spend a fortune getting all the kit and lighting etc etc and not get the job. How would you feel then? If you are serious about this type of photography, develop it as a longer term objective. If you **** it up, they could sue you and never get offered any such jobs again.

…...Which brings me to something else. When you do start commercial shooting, ensure you have adequate professional liability insurance. If they were relying on your pics for say a new menu launch and you couldn't deliver, who are they going to turn to for recompense? You!

Natural lighting is generally some of the best light, but never mid day.

However, shooting food is normally done in a studio due to insects, wind and general outside influences.

Arranging and lighting the food is critical to a successful shoot. This can be very challenging, its not just a case of sticking a plate under the lens!

Why not get in touch with a pro food photographer and ask to help/watch. Be honest about your intensions, they will not be looking for competition, but if you can get them jobs they will be much more amenable.

HTH

Hi Ian,

Thank you for all those pointers!
I am up against some pro photographers but they are charging way more than what the client is ready to pay. So, they are looking for someone who will do it for less. This being India, price is a big issue.

I am looking to start building a portfolio. I am a film maker and photography is closely related to cinema. I am hoping that I can build a side career/business in photography so that I can feed myself while I struggle to make at least some money through my films.

I like your idea of getting in touch with a pro food photographer. I will start looking around. I think some of the professional indian food blogs might be a good starting point.

The client will use these photos on their website, menu and on large prints in their restaurants. I believe depending on the PPI I will choose for the final large prints I will have to select my camera? Or maybe I am just better off renting a full frame camera for the shoot..

If food is mostly shot in the studio how is it brought over after cooking? I was reading that food should be photographed immediately after (under) cooking before it shrinks once it starts cooling down?

I think along with trying to find help for my own problem I am hoping this thread can also be a knowledge base for all 'food photography' related information I can find.

I plan on taking a few test shots at home and then uploading them here.

[photonewb]

The big questions are: how much time will you have to develop your skills and what are you capable of achieving right at this moment? Start out, after you've updated your profile, by photographing a dish and posting the image to this forum. Use different light settings, candlelight, available room light and give a description of what you were trying to achieve with the images.

Hi John,

I shall do that starting tomorrow. I would love getting feedback on my photos. Thanks!

[IzzieK]

We all have to be careful...This is a friendly community, almost a family of some sort. There are times there are some who can get in and gather information. What is there to be scared of? I was stalked once and I should be afraid, but after many years and lots of reassurances from my husband, I finally settle down. Just think that you are not an island. You have identification cards, they are as liable to be pilfered too.

As for TMZ...and others of the same ilk, just remember that everyone has a past to refer to. It is part of your journey as a human being.

To answer your last question -- what is in a name? I cannot answer for you but I can answer for me -- my name is a good start. It forms a part of who I am.

Hi Isabel,

I do plan on updating my profile...Kind of...Maybe.
I am always wary of sharing personal info on the internet. You never know how TMZ will use it when one day I am super famous and filthy rich!

What's in a name?

[William W]

. . . I might get to photograph dishes on the menu for a new Indian Fast Food Chain that might be opening in my city. . . I feel that if I am a bit entrepreneurial and hard-working (also charge way way way less) I can get this project. I will of course have to provide them with test shots or some sort of a portfolio.

Supplying test shots would be more expedient than providing a portfolio. That's a very good entrepreneurial idea. But you will have to sell yourself into a position to get to take the test shots.

*

. . . I would love it if any of you could share ways that might help me with this whole quest. I shall ask some specific questions too -
1. Is it wise for me to spend time and effort on this? Is this within a beginner's reach?

You can only answer the first question. The answer to the second question is: Yes.

*

. . . Should I use a light box or use natural light for photographing food?

I have used Flash in situ (i.e. close to the kitchen) for all of the "fast food" commercial food work that I have done. I would not use Available Light, if it were my job. I would have three flash heads and umbrellas maybe one light box, but I like working with Umbrellas. However, can get good results with using only one light. A big mistake many novices make is not knowing how to light The Set and they think that by adding more lights that will be generally better and will solve any problems that they have.

The whole key to lighting any Set, is to get the first light correct and then move the next light, and etc.

And the second point is: each light must have a purpose.

For (good) food photography - Lighting is the key ingredient.

*

. . . I know a whole industry runs on making food look photogenic. I don't have experience at 'dressing up' food. Is this an area that might cause a lot of problems?

The chef should arrange the food. However do you need to light it and to shoot it at the best angle to "dress it up".

*

. . . How can I go about convincing them to give me this project apart from showing great shots that I have taken?

Salesmanship and then follow through with what you promised that you can do.


WW


(Aside) To answer your other question: I would not know if Yash is your real name or if it is a made up name and for the purpose of this discourse I don't mind.

On the other point which predicated your response and question - I am not so sure that faster replies come from the OP using one's real name: I'd like to see the statistics which support that claim, as it is quite possible.

But it might not be the action of not providing a name that slows the process of responses, but rather the pouncing on the fact that no "real name" has been supplied that slows up the process: at least that has been my observation.

[shreds]

Your knowledge of lighting is a major advantage from your film experience.

One trick that experienced food photogs use though is that what you see, may not be the real ingredient at all, and sometimes substitutes that photograph better, are used!! Hence my suggestion of getting insider experience and knowledge to make the food appear just cooked.