Last week we were given a list of food that would be available for styling and photography for the next instalment of our Food Styling course at Leiths. It was a little uninspiring to say the least – Ice Cream, Tomato Soup, Granola and a Hamburger. We were told there would be little in terms of props and we should consider how best to position/assemble the food for our photograph that should entice the viewer to want to eat the product involved. We were expected to research a little and look elsewhere to see how these foods are depicted in their most tantalising form possible – and of course I started to think about it on the way to the class from the pub. A 10 minute walk – now that’s preparation !
Basically the set up was that one kitchen was available with 4 workstations, with each of the 4 products on one station, and we were to take it in turns with 4/5 of us around the bench for 20 minutes on each product. No real advice was being given and we were basically left to our own devices. My first port of call was Ice Cream followed by Granola. Whilst a few bowls were available with cutlery little else was there to add to the picture. There was some fruit available with the Ice Cream, and Yoghurt and Nuts with a few different types of Granola on the next table.
After an initial complete blank on what to do next I set to work and saw that most people were trying to photograph their concoction in the bowl on the chopping board at the work station. I decided there was better light in the Dining Room next door, which also gave a few more options on surfaces and natural props IE a stray glass water jug etc.
I was not entirely excited by my results on these first 2 products, but tried to ensure there was enough interest going on in the photograph outside of whatever vehicle was actually holding the food, using blur on the Ice Cream to ensure the viewer was focused on the main event ! Here are the results :
I then moved on to Soup – not just Soup – but Heinz Tomato Soup ! I was already thinking about Campbell’s Soup Tins and Andy Warhol, thinking the Tins themselves maybe more interesting than the product it was holding – especially as there only a few simple white bowls available. I noticed there were a few herbs, bread and wooden boards available as props, but then suddenly – Inspiration ! The next table had little aluminium tins – in the form of miniature buckets – available as props, the type which are usually used to put French Fries in for serving, or alternatively condiments. I thought if I grabbed a few of those and filled them with Soup this would make a more original photo.
I played with various ideas before coming up with the main picture above- which I must admit I was quite proud of – especially bearing in mind my lack of preparation and the lack of possibilities regards props. To give an idea of the process involved to arrive at the final picture here are a few earlier test photos that helped lead me in the right direction :
The photo above with the stripes as a surface was actually a Leiths apron which I stole and spread out on the bench as a tablecloth ! I think the final photo is the best and works with the close cropping and just a little of the wooden board peeking through at the bottom !
So what you ask happened to the Hamburger !? Well firstly you had to fry it and dress it with the usual “ Hamburgery “ condiments. All fine. Then my photos were terrible as I stupidly fried the bread roll and this flattened it and it went out of shape. By then I was also hungry having had a few pints in the pub and no dinner, so I decided the best course of action was to cut my losses and just eat it ! Needs must, and food styling is exhausting work giving you a huge appetite ! 😂
So that was the end of the styling class and also represented the last evening course, with only the professional shoot scheduled this weekend to conclude the Course. Overall I was underwhelmed by the sparse content of the course and lack of one to one critique and advice. I felt you were largely left to do your own thing and only received any form of individual tuition if you chased the Teacher around insisting on feedback – not what you would expect for the cost of the course. The photographer who attended on the third evening did not engage very much with the students and even appeared not to know much about some of the photos and techniques we were questioning him about. Hence this weekend I have actually cancelled my scheduled shoot as I do not wish to spend 4 hours away from home to receive one photo on food I have had to prepare and style. I have a good enough knowledge of my Camera to do this at home Myself, and time is precious with many other homework assignments connected with the main Leiths Diploma Course which require fulfilling presently. I will be contacting Leiths to provide them with my thoughts – and speaking to other students attending – it appears this is the underlying feeling of most involved.
I did learn a little on the 6 week course – and hopefully my photos show this – but I shall continue any further food styling at home, and of course, the eating of any food due to be photographed, but hopefully in the correct order ! Photo Eat not Eat – Photo. 🤔