Food Photography Tips from Penny De Los Santos (from International Food Blogger Conference #IFBC )
This past weekend Seattle had something very hot going – International Food Blogger Conference. The big hall became even hotter at around 11:00 am Pacific time on Sunday 29th Sept. That’s when Penny De Los Santos came on the stage to talk about food photography, give some tips and share her mouth-watering food images. Her photos were making the audience drool and some were even slurping air.
When the talk ended after about 75 minutes, the audience rushed to the food trucks and helplessly gulped food in their stomach. Such is the power of stunning food photos.
Let’s watch and listen Penny’s talk on food photography and how to become a better food photographer.
Watch Food Photography Talk
Missed the food photography talk? Don’t worry. We were able to find the video for this food photography talk by Penny De Los Santos. Click the play button to watch the video.
Here’s what’s discussed in this video…
Notes from Penny’s Talk
Penny’s started the talk by sharing her story on how she got started as a photographer and her experience before starting in food photography industry. She introduced the audience to her food photography philosophy. Penny also shared her first photograph that appeared on Saveur Magazine’s front cover.
(Here are Penny’s prison photos. I believe these are the same photos that she is talking about in this video)
Here’s what she shared…
Food Photography Philosophy
Penny’s approaches food photography organically. She reacts to what she sees and is in the moment. She uses everything natural as much as possible. Everything Penny shoots is real. She uses real food. Beautiful ingredients are the key to her photography.
What is a Good Food Photo?
Penny started the talk by explaining her definition of a good photograph. As for any great photograph, lighting is an important element in creating a successful photo. Light is the first element that was discussed. A good light will create an awesome food photo.
Color is the second element that improves a food composition. Composition is the key. Spend time and think about composition. This is one thing that will improve your food photos drastically. If you don’t practice composition, you will make the similar photos over and over and over.
Fourth element is the food subject itself. Pick up subjects that are interesting and beautiful. If you feel something is not, “sex it up”. Appetizing food makes great photos as well.
Primary Camera Angles
Penny shared some primary angles that are used in food photography. Overhead is the first camera angle that Penny shared. Be careful when you use this angle. This angle can be overused and quickly become a cliché.
3/4 Angle is a nice angle, but the food has to lead you to it. If your food has height, don’t use overhead. This would be an angle when you are not exactly looking top down, but you are kind of at a 3/4… something like 75 degree I think.
Side or straight on angle is pretty much at 0 degree. Side shots are great for food with height.
(Learn about different camera angles and how to select a camera angle for food photography)
These are the primary camera angles used in food photography. Varying camera angle is important so that you can pair the photos together. Same camera angle can lead to boredom to the viewer.
Varying your photos is important not just for readers or viewers but also for your creative process. Also, remember not all food looks good from the same angle. Soup make look great from a certain angle, but stacked cookies may or may not. Explore your subject by moving around the subject.
Read more best camera angle for food photography.
Using Available Light
Understanding light is important for every food photographer. Penny explained few things you should study as soon as you walk in the shooting studio. Here they are:
Light Direction: As soon you get to the subject, see where the subject is and what is the direction of light. Is it coming from window? What is the direction of light? From right or from back? Think about where is the light coming from.
Light Quality: The next question then is what is the quality of light. Is it soft or is it harsh? Learn how to identify quality of light. Read more how light affects your food photos.
Diffusing Light: If your light is too harsh it will create shadows on your subjects. To avoid this you need to diffuse the light. What is diffusing the light? You diffuse light by placing diffuser between the light source and food. Light can be diffused by using napkins or wax paper or round diffuser disks (see what light diffusers look like).
Editing a Dish
If a dish is not plated well or if the food is not visually appealing, Penny plates the dish. In some cases, this could also mean that the food has been removed from the usual composition and then re-composed a little differently.
Penny gave couple of examples of this. She shared a photograph of sweet corn cake, that usually do not come on their own plate. Penny plated them by giving them their own plates.
Creative Food Shots That Make an Impact
Penny explained few type of food photos that make an impact on the viewer. Food in preparation and meal in process photographs tell a great story . Go prop shopping and try to use food props that you have. Ingredients in a dish make great food photos, but are challenging to shoot. Raw food looks good but just after they have been washed. Try these food photos.
Read more on food props and how to use food props.
In the second part of her talk, Penny talked about photographing food culture, food travel and food portrait photography.
Food Photography Tips
The talk was full of awesome food photography tips. Below are some tips that have not been included in the above sections. Here they are:
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Practice a lot.
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If you want to improve food photography, start shooting manually.
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Try to keep your background clean and not cluttered.
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Push yourself and think beyond the obvious.
Read more food photography tips from other food photographers.
Thank you Penny
Thank you Penny for sharing your knowledge and wisdom in this talk and previous food photography workshop.
Readers and Viewers, if you liked this talk and gained something from this, send a note to @pennydelosantos. Say hello and connect with her. See her food photo tips from her food photography workshop.
Hoping to Interview Penny
I am absolutely excited about interviewing @pennydelosantos We haven’t decided a date yet, but am hoping that our calendars match in next week or two and we get together soon. In the meantime, don’t forget to send me your questions for this interview by sending me a tweet @neellfp
What Did You Think About the Talk
Did you attend this workshop? In person or online? What did you think? What did I miss? What did you think about this?
Related Posts
- 5 Important Lessons Learnt from Food Photography Workshop with Penny De Los Santos
- How To Stand Out as a Photographer: Interview with Penny De Los Santos
- The Story of a Top Food Blogger Whose Food Photography Will Make You Drool – Interview with Aran Goyoaga
- Lighting for Food Photography and Other Tips – Interview with Liz Vidyarthi
- Day 10: Add Variety in Your Food Photography Portfolio by Breaking the Pattern– 31 Days of Food Photography Tips
Can’t get the video to play. Is anyone else having this problem?
Grace, it is playing for me. Can you try again please.
Wow…great write-up and video capture…thanks!!!!