Introduction:
Food photography is important in order to show
people the different food items they are eating in an attractive and positive
way. With food being mass-produced and processed, it is important for the
photographs to look enticing in order to counteract the portrayal described by
the media on processed food. In the technological world food is becoming
more and more industrialized and filled with chemicals to prolong life and
boost size. In order to prevent this being shown to the consumers food
photography is used to tell a different story about how the food is grown and
produced in order to make it more appealing. For example much of the food
produced and sold today is frozen for what could be many years before it is
packaged and sold to the consumer, however the producers use food photography
in order to imply that there food is fresh, healthy and natural. In contrast to
this food photographers have been known to use photography to show the real
negative side of the food industry for example using animal slaughter and
mistreatment in there work whilst still labeling it under food photography. A
huge intention of food photography is to open people’s eyes on the truths and
to hide the truths about the food industry.
With food also being shipped all around the world
it allows the consumers to view the wide range of foods available to them. Food
photography also allows companies to advertise their different food products
and sell them online with a visual image of the food they are selling. The
study of this subject is important because without food, no one would even be
alive. By photographing the diverse food types this allows people to see the
different foods that are available to them and shows the endless limits of what
they can do with them. Food photography also helps to illustrate recipes and
the like in order to show people what they are supposed to be making. It also
makes very attractive photographs due to the vast range of colours, shapes and
sizes. This area is very prevalent all over the world as photos of food are
seen on magazines, television and in shops all over the place. There are many
reasons for photographing food for example advertisement, entertainment and
pleasure. It is likely that a person is to see at least one photograph of a
food item everyday most likely through the advertising of a product through one
media type or another. Food photography is probably one of the most important
types of photography because without it we would live more basic and simple
lives and not try new things. In the competitive world in which we live it
is important for restaurants and companies to use food photography in order to
show potential customers that they are the best in the business, attractive and
enticing photography allows them to do this in an easy and common way.
With food also being shipped all around the world
it allows the consumers to view the wide range of foods available to them. Food
photography also allows companies to advertise their different food products
and sell them online with a visual image of the food they are selling. The
study of this subject is important because without food, no one would even be
alive. By photographing the diverse food types this allows people to see the
different foods that are available to them and shows the endless limits of what
they can do with them. Food photography also helps to illustrate recipes and
the like in order to show people what they are supposed to be making. It also
makes very attractive photographs due to the vast range of colours, shapes and
sizes. This area is very prevalent all over the world as photos of food are
seen on magazines, television and in shops all over the place. There are many
reasons for photographing food for example advertisement, entertainment and
pleasure. It is likely that a person is to see at least one photograph of a
food item everyday most likely through the advertising of a product through one
media type or another. Food photography is probably one of the most important
types of photography because without it we would live more basic and simple lives
and not try new things. In the competitive world in which we live it is
important for restaurants and companies to use food photography in order to
show potential customers that they are the best in the business, attractive and
enticing photography allows them to do this in an easy and common way.
History:
The word photography is derived from the Greek
words photo, which means light and the word graphein meaning to draw. It
was used to describe the idea of recording images by the action of light. The
very first camera was made in 1816 and was created by Nicéphore Niépce. It was
partially successful and worked by coating a small piece of paper with silver
chloride and using a small camera of his own making which created an image
because the paper darkened as it was exposed to light. In 1855 colloidal dry
plates were invented and available. The aim of photography at this time was to
capture the shadows cast by the blocked lighting as appose to capturing actual
moments in time.
The wet plates were invented by Frederick Scott
Archer in the 1850's and was known as the collodion process. It shortened
the exposure times that made candid photography and also made it necessary for
the mechanical shutter to be invented. Originally shutters were a separate
accessory to the camera itself, however from the early 20th century cameras
with built in shutters became common. In 1878 Kodak was created by Eastman
Kodak. He was the first one to show the convenience of gelatine dry
plates instead of messy wet plates. In 1879 he created an emulsion coating
machine, which allowed him to mass produce the dry plates.
An example of an early 35mm still camera was the
Tourist Multiple made in 1914 with 35mm film.
Henri Cartier-Bresson was a French photographer
considered the father of photojournalism. He was an early adopter of 35mm
format and the 'master' of candid photography. He developed street photography
or life reportage style that coined the 'decisive moment' that has
influenced generations of photographers. In 1952 Carter Bresson published his
book titled 'Images à la sauvette' translated to 'the decisive
moment'. In this book he wrote 'To me, photography is the simultaneous
recognition, in a fraction of a second, of the significance of an event as well
as of a precise organization of forms which give that event its
proper expression.'
Colour photography was first attempted in the
1840's when early experiments were directed at finding a 'chameleon substance’,
which would get the colour of the light falling on it. Some attempts would last
for only days although this was an accomplishment. The three-colour method was
first suggested in 1855 by James Clerk Maxwell.
Before the late 1890'2, colour photography was
restricted to a very select group of people who were experimenters in
the creation of the colour camera. There work at this time included
building their own equipment, doing there own colour sensitizing
making and testing colour filters and generally devoting a lot of effort to
this creation. At this time colour photography was seen as impossibility to
most photographers. In 1898 it was made possible for anyone with the
right money to buy the required equipment to create colour
photography.
The first attempt of digital photography was made
in 1975 by Steven Sasson who was an engineer at Kodak. It used
'new-solid-state' CCD image sensor chips developed by Fairchild Semiconductor
in 1973. The camera weighed around 8 pounds and recorded black and white images
to a cassette tape.
The first proper digital camera that recorded
images as a computerized file was the Fuji DS-1P of 1988.
In the early1900’s the first food photographs
started to appear in the form of copied still lives focusing on realism and
composition. Photography’s first still life photograph was a picture of a table
set for a meal made by Nicephore Niepce in 1827. In 1842 Henry Fox Talbot
photographed an overflowing basket of fruit.
In Japan the first phone with an in built camera
was sold in 2000 meaning that people could capture photographs whenever they
wished at the touch of a button on there mobile phone.
In 2004 the social networking site ‘Facebook’ was
created which allows people to upload multiple photographs to be freely viewed
by friends, family and anyone who wishes to view them.
In 2010 the social networking application
‘Instagram’ was created. The aim of his application is to take photos, edit
them using the limited recourses and post it so that followers or those
interested in the topic can view it. Food has often been featured on this
application with people photographing meals when they are out or it is a
special occasion in which the want to remember.
Two current practitioners:
Gareth Morgan is a
highly experienced freelance food photographer who has been working in the
industry for over a decade. He has high-end digital cameras and equipment
ensuring the best reproduction of colour and detail in his work. His studio is
based near London Bridge as this is near public transport and restaurants,
markets, bars and shops, which are the key to his works success. His studio
contains a fully equipped kitchen, which is available for use by his clients.
His work is used mostly in advertising including for magazines such as 'Good
Food' 'Tesco' and 'Asda'. His most recent work includes shoots advertising
Christmas products for Costa. The aim of this photographers work is to make the
food look appealing to the audience especially with regards to his advertising
work and Gareth Morgan is very good at achieving this aim.
This photographer’s work contains photos of both
natural and man-made foods in a variety of settings and locations with props
and compositions. He chooses to sometimes include the creator of the food or
the person selling the food, which gives the photographs a personal and
realistic feel. His work will connect and influence my own due to his use of
cut up foods and no background. He photographs the inside and outsides of
food which gives the audience a visual representation of the whole food
which he makes enticing by the positive lighting
and composition. He also uses household objects such as cushions,
cutlery and other interesting objects to compose his work and make it more
interesting.
David White is an
experienced photographer in product, event, food, interior design and adventure
sport photographer. He takes both business and private photography commissions.
He has worked with charities and county councils producing interpreting and
marketing work. Once again the main aim for this photographers work is to make
the food look appealing and attractive to the audience in order to get
them to buy and eat the products. As seen below this photographer uses close up
shots in order to achieve this aim.
This photographers work contains many different
styles of food photography ranging from different settings, lightings and close
ups. His work has included the chef whilst preparing the food and food not yet
prepared such as fish and vegetables creating a unique and varied portfolio of
work. I particularly like these two photos due to the use of blurring to make
the food the main focal point of the photograph.
My work:
This photograph fits into my overall plan because
it shows the diverse difference in colours, shapes and sizes of foods and
illustrates two foods that are surprisingly supposedly good together. This is a
very bright, vibrant and eye catching photograph and the composition of the
chili and chocolate works really well. The photograph also depicts a sweet and
savory food therefore showing the diverse food types available. What I
specifically like about this photograph is the strong focus on both the chili
and the chocolate, which prevents either seeming as the more important food in
the photo. My favorite aspect of the photo is how the lighting is in a way,
which casts a shadow on underneath the chili as I feel this gives the
photograph a very professional and realistic photograph. Over all I feel
that the whole shoot was successful however to improve I would just try and
incorporate even more colours.
This
photograph fits nicely into my food photography plan, as it is a very detailed
close up of bacon, which is a very popular food item. I was especially pleased
with the outcome of this photograph as it looks very appealing and would make
the audiences mouth water. The term ‘eating with your eyes’ could be used to
describe this photograph. What I especially liked about this shoot is that it
was a location shoot and yet the lighting worked really well which I don't
normally find with location shoots. The contrast in colouring makes the
photograph attractive but does not distract from the main focal point of which
is the bacon. What works really well in this photograph is how the texture and
shapes of the foods are really emphasized. What I would improve on this
photograph is the blurred front part as it slightly distracts from the rest of
the photograph. To improve this photograph I would try and exclude any of he
white plate and incorporate more food so that the whole photograph is taken up
by food.
This photograph fits in to my overall plan as it is
based entirely around the composition and layout of the gingerbread biscuits.
The tree is placed centrally and has a Christmas theme, which fits with the
current time of year, which I have found food photography, tends to do. By
creating a scene the photograph would appeal to children especially if the
photos purpose was to advertise. I’m really pleased with this photograph and
this shoot in particular.
What went well what the composition, colour and
lighting in these photographs however to improve I would definitely consider
adding other edible products to create an even more detailed scene. I would
also consider icing the gingerbread mean just so that they differ from each
other. From doing this shoot I have decided that I will go into future shoots
with more of an aim or expected outcome so that the shoots are as successful as
possible. In order to adapt this shoot I would create a different scene on a
different background or perhaps create a storyboard using things that are
entirely food as this would make an interesting finished piece.
The future:
I feel that the future of food photography is even
more vivid and original photographs which continue to push and stretch the
boundaries. People are constantly trying to advance on what has already been
done so in the future I expect this will go even further. Food photography will
continue to be everywhere we go and will be shown in different types of
technologies, which are created. One day it might even is possible for the
smell and texture of foods to be added to photographs to give the audience an
even more enticing and enticing view of the food that is being
photographed.
The increase in digital photography will mean that
the food being photographed ail be clearer, brighter and more realistic. This
also means that the food photography will be even more easily distributed and
shown. The advance in social media and camera phones has already made a huge
rise of self representation photography where people will go out and take
photographs of there food due to the bright colours and attractive meaning that
the amount of food photography will rise significantly. The ever-advancing food
types available from all around the world means that there will always be more
foods to photograph. In 1954 the first single-lens reflex camera was
invented since then there are five different types of SLR cameras available and
many different digital. Other advances expected to improved high resolution,
high definition video, high dynamic range etc.
With the current learning resources available to
everyone the photographers them selves are likely to advance and improve upon
their work creating a world of professional photographers. Also the easily and
cheap digital and SLR cameras allow people to use self-representation to
express themselves.
Another point within food photography that will be more important and frequently used is this technique of making food look irresistible and 'food porn' due to the extreme process the food goes through in production. For example food will probably have been frozen for longer and will go through even more controversial ways in order to be produced and stored and in order to blind the audience of this photography will continue to be used to show only the attractive and appealing side of food after the production process.
Conclusion:
Overall food photography is a very important part
of everyday life and without it life would be a lot duller and food production
and food service companies would not make as much money or be as successful as
they are. Food photography has many purposes and will continue to be a thriving
industry especially with regards to advertisements. There are many different
food photographers that choose to work in many different ways using a huge
range of props, locations and backgrounds in order to create new, exiting and
unique food photography. The ways in which these photographers work is likely
to advance and change with the growing and improving technology. One term used
to describe the effects of food photography is ‘eating with your eyes’ and I
feel that the work that I have found for this unit and my own work would most
definitely fit into this category. Since photography began there have been
massive advances making the quality photography today almost as good as looking
at the real thing and this will continue to advance. Food photography is almost
an exact life like reflection of the food itself and technology can only get
better at portraying this. Overall I feel that all of my shoots fit in
really well with my original brief and plan and show a huge variety of food photography
styles in my own personal way. My photography shows a range of colours and
styles and the majority turned out successful and professional
photographs. I took a lot of influence from the vast amount of existing
food photographers but created photographs in a unique and distinctive way.
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