Tips and techniques for food photography success including photographing beef, time saving tips, food styling tools, food styling tips, and lighting,

1. Food Photography
Tips and Techniques
for Success
Presented by:
Renee Dobbs
@reneedobbs
and
BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com
@Beef

2. Food Photography
Time Saving Tips
Setup Scene In Advance
• Determine props
• Place props
• Use stand-ins
• Set reflectors and diffusers
Do test shots
• Check and set lighting
• Check overall scene & adjust
• Check for distractions
Have garnishes ready
@reneedobbs@Beef

3. Food Photography
Photographing Beef
Steaks
• Let rest at least ten minutes
• Room temperature best
• Use beef juices to moisten inside
• Use oil to add shine to outside
• Use sharp knife for slicing
• Prop with cosmetic wedges
@reneedobbs@Beef

4. Food Photography
Photographing Beef
Roasts
• Use oil for shine
• Use torch or heat gun to brown
• Use restraint with sauces & gravy
• Garnish with fresh herbs
@reneedobbs@Beef

5. Food Photography
Photographing Beef
Raw Beef
• Time is critical
• Will oxidize
• Keep pieces separate until using
@reneedobbs@Beef

6. Food Photography
Photographing Beef
Vegetables (for salads and stir-frys)
• Pile lettuce high or on top of prop
• Use freshest possible
• Undercook peppers
• Blanch green beans + ice bath
• Mist veggies with water (not beef)
• Arrange to give pops of color
@reneedobbs@Beef

7. Food Photography
Food Styling Tools
• Long tweezers or chopsticks
• Water spray bottle
• Oil and pastry brush
• Paper towels
• Toothpicks
• Cosmetic wedges
• Q-Tips
• Syringe
• Squeeze bottle
• Frosting spreader
@reneedobbs@Beef

8. Food Photography
Food Styling Tips
• Color wheel
• Style for ethnic cuisines
• Small plates and bowls
• Use white when in doubt
• Colorful and/or textured linens
• Textured surfaces & backgrounds
• Tell a story
• Set a mood
• Garnish, garnish, garnish
@reneedobbs@Beef

9. Food Photography
Lighting Tips
• Real daylight is best
• Daylight fluorescent close second
• Cheap reflectors – white foam
board
• Cheap diffuser – white sheet (low
thread count)
• Use white foam board to set
white balance
• Silver reflector – baking sheet
• Gold reflector – wrapping paper
@reneedobbs@Beef

10. The Beef Checkoff
BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com
Twitter: @Beef
Pinterest: BeefForDinner
Facebook: BeefItsWhatsForDinner