dSLR: Acronym representing “digital Single Lens Reflex camera.” This type of camera uses a single lens that’s attached to a camera body.
Exposure: Refers to the amount of light received by a camera’s sensor (or film). Exposure is determined by a combination of aperture, shutter speed and ISO settings. Images are either correctly exposed, overexposed (too light) or underexposed (too dark).
Plate to Pixel Digital Food Photography & Styling
f/8, ISO 400, 24-70mm L
Exposure Compensation: A setting that allows one to override the camera’s suggested exposure value when working in Aperture or Shutter Priority modes.
Fill Flash: Accessory lighting that supports a primary light source. A fill flash is used to reduce heavy shadows and fill in areas of a scene where light is insufficient.
Filter: Piece of glass that can be attached to the front of a lens to protect the lens or to change the quality of the light for a photograph.
Flash Lighting: A momentary burst of light shone unto a subject. This is the opposite of continuous lighting. On- and off-camera flashes, such as pop-up flashes and speedlights, are examples of flash lighting.
Front Light: Light source that faces the subject and comes from behind the photographer.
Gray Card: Simple tool that helps a photographer custom-set white balance. This is usually a piece of plastic or cardboard that’s calibrated to a neutral gray of 18%.
High Key: Refers to a lighting technique that produces evenly distributed, low contrasted light with a predominance of light grey tones or light colors.
Hot Shoe: Metal piece located on the top of some cameras that connects an external flash or a wireless transmitter to the camera body.
LCD Display: Acronym for Liquid Crystal Display, which is a screen that’s located on the back of a camera to enable a photographer and others to preview and review images, access the in-camera menu, and view the histogram and other tools.
f/3.5, ISO 320, 100mm, Macro L
Manual Focus: Non-automatic setting that requires a photographer to adjust focus settings of the lens manually by turning the ring located on the outside of the camera until subject is in focus.
Memory Cards: Small, square-shaped plates used to record images. The cards can be reused many times if images are erased. The most common memory cards are SD (Secure Digital) and CF (Compact Flash).
Overexposure: A visual situation in which the camera sensor is exposed to too much light or to appropriate light for too long of a time. This produces exaggerated (or blown out) highlights in an image. The opposite effect is underexposure.
Pixels: Visual data that appear as dots comprising a digital image.
Post Production: Any editing or manipulation of an image file that takes place after the picture is taken and downloaded to a computer program.
f/3.5, ISO 1250, 100mm, Macro L
Prime Lens: A lens with a single focal length, different from a zoom lens. The most common primes are 50mm, 100mm, 85mm and 35mm.
Reflector: Anything that reflects light, including white paper, white porcelain, white foam board, aluminum foil, and store-bought products that combine gold and silver surfaces.
Radio Triggers: Device that enables wireless trigger of flash units.
Shutter Speed: Camera setting that refers to the amount of time the shutter is open during an exposure.
Side Light: Light source that comes from the side of a subject.
Speedlight: A small detachable flash lighting unit that works off the camera’s hot shoe, whether it’s connected directly to the camera or via a wireless system.
Sync Cord: Accessory used to connect a camera to an external flash, especially in studio lighting situations.
TTL: Acronym representing “through the lens”—a pre-signal that measures the amount of light coming from the subject. The tool uses this information to calculate how much power needs to come from the flash to get an appropriate exposure.
Underexposure: A photographic situation in which the camera sensor is exposed to too little light or to appropriate light for too short of a time, resulting in a loss of details in the shadows or dark areas of the scene.
Vignetting: Technique used with filters and lenses or while using specific effects in post processing to create darkened edges and corners on an image.
Zoom Lens: A lens that has a variable focal length, such as a 24-70mm lens.
f/3.5, ISO 200, 100mm, Macro L
Appendix B: Equipment
What’s in your camera bag?
When it comes to camera gear, everyone has favorites. And when people ask me what I use, I have no problem telling them. But when they ask what they should buy, I always tell them I can’t answer that question.
Photography equipment is personal. To find the best stuff for yourself, think about what kind of photography you want to do as well as your budget, what you’re already familiar with, etc. For instance, both my husband and I were satisfied using a Canon film camera and gear. So when we moved to digital, we continued to use Canon products. Between us, we have lots of gear. But he does portrait and architecture photography, while I shoot food, so we have two different approaches to our work. The upside of this is that we rarely fight over gear.
My Camera Bag
I love my camera bag!
f/3.5, ISO 200, 24-70mm L
It took me a while to find the right bag for my camera equipment, but I finally grabbed the Jill-E Jack Large Rolling Bag. I love that I can easily carry it on the plane … even for international travel. I carry it on photo shoots in town, too. The inside is made of padded compartments that you can move around and adjust with Velcro strips.
Here’s what I carry inside my camera bag:
• Canon 5D Mark II + vertical release battery grip
• Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L series
• Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro L series
• Canon 50mm f/1.8 prime lens
• Canon 35mm f/2.0 prime lens
• Radio Popper (transmitter + receiver)
• Canon 580EX II Speedlight
• AA batteries for pack
• Spare LP-E6 Lithium battery
• Memory cards
• 1 set ExpoImaging Rogue FlashBenders
• 1 ExpoImaging ExpoDisc
• 1 flash cap
• Clear lens filter
• Clamps
Canon 5D Mark II + vertical release battery grip
Take a peek inside my camera bag.
f/4.0, ISO 200, 28mm
I have small shaky hands, so the vertical release battery grip helps me a great deal when I have to shoot hand-held, especially when using the heavy 24-70mm lens. Some say it makes the camera as big as my head!
FlashBenders
I just started using FlashBenders, and I really like them. They are pliable reflectors that you wrap and snap around your speedlight with a Velcro belt. They come in different sizes and can be used either to bounce light back onto the subject or to shield light from it. It can also be used as a snoot to produce a tight and narrow circle of light. For food photography, I mostly use them as bounces.
ExpoDisc
I always carry an ExpoDisc, even though I’ve only used it twice so far. It’s more of a safety blanket for me, but it’s a great little tool for setting a custom white balance. In my studio, I know the light very well, and I know the appropriate white balance settings for this setting; but I carry the ExpoDisc whenever I shoot on location, in places where I’m not familiar with the light.
I’d rather adjust my white balance before I shoot than spend hours correcting it in post processing, and the ExpoDisc has been very helpful the couple of times I needed to be especially quick on my feet. To use it, simply place the ExpoDisc in front of the lens and capture the incoming light while setting your camera’s custom white balance according to your camera’s manual.
My Backups
I keep these items in the studio or in separate case while on location.
• Canon Rebel XTi
• Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro (old model)
• Canon 28mm f/1.8 prime lens
• Canon PowerShot A610
What’s in your prop/tool box?
When it comes to props, we have all our own style and favorites. I covered some of my own preferences and resources in Chapter 6 (Setting Up for Capture) and Chapter 7 (Styling), but here’s the gist.
• White dishes will never go out of style. They make it easy for your food to “pop” in the frame. You can also try lightly colored dishes.
• Dishes with lots of color and prints are fun to use, but be sure they don’t distract from the food itself.
• Cotton linens are great and easy to care for, but try textured ones too, like hemp, grain sack or burlap. Colors and prints are also fun to incorporate into your shots, but again … make sure they complement and don’t distract from the food.
• Vintage silverware is always fun to use and it’s cheap to find.
Resources for dishes, silverware and other props:
Crate & Barrel: www.crateandbarrel.com
Pier 1: www.pier1.com
Anthropologie: www.anthropologie.com
Dinnerware Depot: www.dinnerwaredepot.com
Horne: www.shophorne.com
Etsy: www.etsy.com
Ebay: www.ebay.com
Amazon: www.amazon.com
For anything linen, I always check with the craft store or fabric stores in town and ask for 1 or 2 yards of the fabrics I like.
And never underestimate the power of yard sales, estate sales, garage sales and antique and vintage stores. Just be sure to leave some room in your suitcase when you travel!
Appendix C: Recommended Resources
Camera Equipment
Amazon: www.amazon.com
This is always a good place to start to compare and read reviews on products from customers.
B&H: www.bhphotovideo.com
Site offers new and used camera equipment.
Gary Fong Light Dome:
www.garyfongestore.com
flash diffuser
Jill E Jack camera bags:
www.jill-e.com/jack.html
Find feminine yet functional and sturdy bags, including small shoulder bags and carry-ons.
KEH: www.keh.com
Find new and used camera equipment here.
Light Bulb Emporium:
www.lightbulbemporium.com
halogen & fluorescent bulbs
Lowel: www.lowel.com
Find fluorescent lights, Ego Light, studio lights and more.
Opteka: opteka.com
Flash diffusers, lenses, flashes, brackets and more are available here.
Pocket Wizards:
www.pocketwizard.com
Radio Poppers:
www.radiopopper.com
ThinkTank Photo:
www.thinktankphoto.com
Large selection of camera bags, is available here, including everything from messenger bags to carry-ons for travel.
Westcott:
fjwestcott.com
This is a great place for finding pro diffusion panels & lighting gear.
Websites by Food Photographers & Food Stylists
Still Life With by Lara Ferroni:
www.laraferroni.com/category/still-life-with/
Great info for beginners and intermediate photographers about equipment, techniques, gear and software.
Matt Armendariz – LA-based food photographer:
www.mattarmendariz.com
Adam Pearson – LA-based food stylist:
www.adamcpearson.com
Matt and Adam are among the kindest and most hardworking people I know in the industry. Their constant enthusiasm for their craft is seriously contagious.
Running With Tweezers by Atlanta based Tami Hardeman:
www.runningwithtweezers.com
Tami has fantastic styling posts on her site, where she takes you through the process of styling the most difficult foods out there, like curries, egg salads and soups.
Peter Frank Edwards:
www.pfephoto.com
Just go take a look at his photography. Then feel like you know nothing. Take a deep breath and feel inspired again.
The Strobist:
www.strobist.blogspot.com
Lots of information on lighting, including topics ranging from speedlights to studio kits.
Delores Custer:
www.delorescuster.com/home.php
Check Delores’ site for updates on the food styling classes she offers.
FoodFanatics:
www.foodfanatics.net
Site by Denise Vivaldo and Cindie Flannigan Learn from trained chefs and stylists the techniques of food styling.
How To …
Distress Wood
There are many online sources for how to distress wood, but here are a couple of good options to get you started.
Basic guidelines on how to distress wood:
www.howtodothings.com/home-garden/how-to-distress-wood
Faux Fun – great website for all kinds of wood finishes and techniques:
fauxfun.com
Video – Distressing Wood
How-To From Doctor Dan: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Iotye7dvAQ
The editing is a bit cheesy but the explanations are clear and very useful.
Handle Photo Editing/ Post Processing
Photoshoplab, www.photoshop.com, is a great source of various tutorials that range from basic to advanced levels of post processing. Here are a few to get you started:
Photoshop Tool Basics:
www.photoshoplab.com/photoshop-tool-basics.html
The Elegant Studio Shot:
www.photoshoplab.com/the-elegant-studio-shot.html
Tutorials from Lightroom News, www.lightroom-news.com, offer great how-to videos of the most common tools you can use to post process your food shots:
Exposure and Brightness Adjustments:
lightroom-news.com/2009/03/21/exposure-and-brightness-adjustments/
The Tool Strip – Spot Removal:
lightroom-news.com/2009/03/13/the-toolstrip-spot-removal/
Mastering The White Balance Controls:
lightroom-news.com/2009/04/27/mastering-the-white-balance-controls/
General Photography
Creative Live: creativelive.com/
Free online live workshops cover basic and advanced photography techniques as well as business-related issues for professionals.
On Choosing a Camera Lens:
www.chookooloonks.com/blog/2011/3/8/occasionally-technical-tuesdays-on-choosing-a-camera-lens.html
Occasionally Technical Tuesdays is a series of photography articles by Karen Walrond.
Setup Supplies
Hardware Stores
These stores can be a photographer’s treasure trove. Find wood planks and boards, paint, stains, paint brushes, and anything else you need to create your own backgrounds and surfaces. This is also a great place to find lots of different sizes for canvas drop cloths as well as different sizes of clamps to hold your reflectors and diffusers in place.
Fabric Stores
Online Fabric Store:
www.onlinefabricstore.net
Fabric Depot:
www.fabricdepot.com
Michaels:
www.michaels.com
Fashion Fabrics Club:
www.fashionfabricsclub.com
Cicada Studio:
cicadastudio.net
Props
There are so many places to find props that fit your budget and needs that it’s impossible to list them all here. But here are a few options to get started:
Anthropologie offers lots of great unusual colors and pieces, sometimes by overseas designers. Lots of little kitchen gadgets are here, too, that can be used as accents in photos. Their linen section is simply gorgeous.
CB2: Described by many as the less serious sister store of Crate & Barrel, CB2 offers lots of fun-shaped dinning and drinking wa
res.
Crate and Barrel is great for basic white china and some more interesting pieces, too. The store’s seasonal items are a nice touch in photos.
Dinnerware Depot:
www.dinnerwaredepot.com
Ebay.com: Anything you can think of can be found on Ebay … from dining ware and pots and pans to linens and vintage items. Be ready to bid!
Etsy.com is great for vintage accessories, linens, handmade pottery and ceramics. You can even find some vintage furniture pieces.
Horne: www.shophorne.com
Pier 1: Price and quality here is hard to beat, especially if you like to rotate your props. Lots of items start at less than $5 and this store has great sales too.
Professional Photography Resources
The American Society of Media Professionals (ASMP) website (www.asmp.org) provides new and seasoned professional photographers with resources regarding licensing, pricing, copyrights, contract writing, and other legal advice.
Creating an online portfolio is easy, but price may vary according to what bells and whistles you decide to have on yours. If you are not keen on building your own portfolio website, the following service providers are among the most popular:
Photobiz: www.photobiz.com
LiveBooks: www.livebooks.com
Blue Domain: www.bludomain.com
Books
Adobe Creative Team, Adobe® Photoshop 7.0 Classroom in a Book, Adobe Press, 2002
Bellingham, Linda, and Jean Ann Bybee, Food Styling for Photographers: A Guide to Creating Your Own Appetizing Art, Focal Press, 2008
Custer, Dolores, Food Styling: The Art of Preparing Food for the Camera, Wiley, 2010
Davis, Bob, Lights, Camera, Capture, Wiley, 2010
Kelby, Scott, The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 Book for Digital Photographers, New Riders Press, 2010
Long, Ben, Real World Aperture, Peachpit Press, 2006
Plate to Pixel Page 21
