Food Styling and Photography
Summary
A food stylist has the task of creating pictures and moods with foods that are on display. The display may be for an actual function, such as a buffet, or for photography. They may be a trained chef, however the stylist does not usually make the food to be displayed, but decorates or arranges it so that it looks appealing. They must employ the basic design principles of variety in colour, texture and flavour.
A food stylist must take into account all aspects of the setting to reflect the intended theme such as:
PhotographyA food stylist often works in conjunction with a photographer in order to get a perfect shot to meet the clients brief. Food styling is time consuming but it creates and atmosphere that stimulates the appetite to encourage consumers to try the food. You see examples of food styling and photography in:
Getting the perfect shot when photographing food can be difficult. Lighting causes foods to dry out, shrink, sag and discolour, so food stylists employ some interesting techniques.
A food stylist has the task of creating pictures and moods with foods that are on display. The display may be for an actual function, such as a buffet, or for photography. They may be a trained chef, however the stylist does not usually make the food to be displayed, but decorates or arranges it so that it looks appealing. They must employ the basic design principles of variety in colour, texture and flavour.
A food stylist must take into account all aspects of the setting to reflect the intended theme such as:
- Tablecloths
- Napkins
- Placemats
- Table decorations
- Plates, bowls, serving dishes
- Serving utensils such as spoons and tongs
- Cutlery
- Glassware
PhotographyA food stylist often works in conjunction with a photographer in order to get a perfect shot to meet the clients brief. Food styling is time consuming but it creates and atmosphere that stimulates the appetite to encourage consumers to try the food. You see examples of food styling and photography in:
- Recipe books and magazines
- newspaper articles
- advertisements for television, billboards and magazines
- brochures and leaflets
- posters and framed pictures
- webpages
- food labels and packages
- menu boards
- television shows
Getting the perfect shot when photographing food can be difficult. Lighting causes foods to dry out, shrink, sag and discolour, so food stylists employ some interesting techniques.
Activity
Task 12: Food Styling and Photography1. What is the role of a food stylist?
The role of a food stylist is to present food in a hygienic and appealing way so as to encourage consumers to buy it.
2. What are some of the food stylist tricks of the trade?
Advertisements often exaggerate attractiveness, and sometimes size, perhaps most famously in the case of fast food.
3. Name 3 tools which would be used by a food stylist and state what it is used for.
- Eye Droppers are very good to use for putting small amounts of liquid in very specific places on food.
- Glycerin is used mixed with 50% water. When this mixture is spritzed on any surface, it will look like a water droplet but will not dry up or move. It’s great for sweat on glasses.
- Tweezers: There are many shapes and sizes of tweezers in a food stylist’s kit. Curved tweezers are very helpful getting into those hard to reach places. Fine tipped tweezers are used to pick up the tiniest things such as an unwanted seed.
4. Do you think it is misleading the consumer to use photography tricks in food product advertising?
Post your opinion on the Class Blog: Discussion 5
The role of a food stylist is to present food in a hygienic and appealing way so as to encourage consumers to buy it.
2. What are some of the food stylist tricks of the trade?
Advertisements often exaggerate attractiveness, and sometimes size, perhaps most famously in the case of fast food.
3. Name 3 tools which would be used by a food stylist and state what it is used for.
- Eye Droppers are very good to use for putting small amounts of liquid in very specific places on food.
- Glycerin is used mixed with 50% water. When this mixture is spritzed on any surface, it will look like a water droplet but will not dry up or move. It’s great for sweat on glasses.
- Tweezers: There are many shapes and sizes of tweezers in a food stylist’s kit. Curved tweezers are very helpful getting into those hard to reach places. Fine tipped tweezers are used to pick up the tiniest things such as an unwanted seed.
4. Do you think it is misleading the consumer to use photography tricks in food product advertising?
Post your opinion on the Class Blog: Discussion 5