Introduction
Planning is a key aspect in producing a strong body of work. Proper preparation allows a timeline in which to complete the task as well as a developed concept. The purpose of this document is to provide a description of my concept as well as the necessary research and information into the chosen field.
This semester’s folio contains two components. This document will cover the studio aspect for which I have chosen the food as my topic. In combination with the valuable skills learnt in the food workshop and the research I have conducted I have decided that food would be the most interesting and beneficial topic for myself and will be an enjoyable challenge as my area of interests usually lie in photographing people.
The aim behind the folio is to create a quality body of commercial work in an area demonstrating skill in the studio.
Concept
The basic concept for my studio folio is to create aesthetically pleasing images that are of commercially acceptable standards in the area of food photography using a colour theme. I wish to produce 8 images consisting of different food products each revolving around a different colour. The food will vary from ingredients through to main meals and deserts. This will allow me to develop a folio and understanding across the entire range of food photography. The photographs will be A3 sizing and mounted on foam core. My main aim is to achieve consistency throughout the images and develop a clear style through the colour theme. I would like to keep the same tone across the images and portray a mood with each photograph.
Lighting is extremely important in food photography. It needs to be able to properly display the food as it is a commercial folio the photographs need to really sell the products and make them look appetizing. Dull lighting and harsh shadows will have the opposite effect. My photographs will all have similar lighting to keep consistency throughout the folio. I intend to use high key lighting mostly in a home studio environment in which food is mostly shoot. Some flash may be required to help balance shadows but more often than not I will be using natural window light with a fill on the opposite side. See diagram below.
I plan to use a wide aperture to create a short depth of field which is common in food photography. This will be shot from a relatively low viewpoint to further emphasis the product. Props will be essential to compliment the food but it will be important to not overdo it and clutter the image as the focus needs to remain on the product.
Melbourne based food specialist photographer Brent Paker Jones is a photographer who has particularly caught my eye. His work has a consistent style much alike the one that I intend to create with my body of work. His work is so simplistic yet has such strength to it that it makes you want to just grab it off the plate! His passion for not just photography but also what he is photographing is clearly displayed in his work. He has been working in the industry for over 14 years and has worked internationally.
Studio Equipment
- Flash
- Backdrops
- Light Meter
- Macro Lens
- Tripod
- Reflector
- Gels
- Grey Card
- Products to photographs
Props
Props will be an important aspect when styling my scenes. They will need to appropriate and compliment the key product. It is important to us props that would be seen with each product so they do not appear out of place. These will include;
- Dining wear
- Cutlery
- Mugs and Cups
- Table Clothes
- Tables
- Backdrops
- Plates
- Bowls
- Tea sets
- Garnishes
- Placemats
- Cooking utensials
Food
For the food the first step will be to source restaurants. I have written a letter that I have handed out to various restaurants around Canberra hoping to be able to photograph some properly ‘plated up’ meals.
Restaurants include;
- Homestead café
- Cream Café and Bar
- Ellacure
- All Bar Nun
- Verve
- Black Pepper
Some of the food will also be store bought such as ingredients and sweets. Other items I will be cooking myself.
Costing
I plan to keep this folio as low budget as possible. Sourcing food from restaurants will contribute largely to keeping costs down. Most props I will be able to find with in my own home. At this stage I am only intending to buy a few key things such as cupcakes or ingredients like fruit and vegetables and spices. My current budget is between $50-$100.
Timeline
An early start and proper planning will be crucial to the smooth development of this folio.
Week 4
- Submit Folio
- Sourcing a place to print
- Sourcing a place to mount
- Sourcing Props/Locations/Products/equipment/access
- Create home studio
- - Practice shoots
Week 5
- Week 5 I will be photographing the first studio image.
- Post production for best images from shoot
- Best images prepared for printing and digital submissions including raw files and slideshow template
- Prepare Week 6 shoot including confirmation on products, props and locations etc.
Week 6
The second week of shooting I will aim to begin shooting and doing the necessary post production on the second and third images.
- Week 6 I will be photographing the next image.
- Post production for best images from shoot
- Best images prepared for printing and digital submissions including raw files and slideshow template
- Prepare Week 7 shoot including confirmation on products, props and locations etc.
- Feedback from teachers on week 5 shoot
The reason I am selecting and doing postproduction on the three to four best images from each shoot is so I have completed files to show a number of teachers to get feedback on each shoot.
Week 7
- Week 7 I will be photographing the next image.
- Post production for best images from shoot
- Best images prepared for printing and digital submissions including raw files and slideshow template
- Prepare Week 8 shoot including confirmation on products, props and locations etc.
- Feedback from teachers on week 6 shoot
Week 8
- Prepare images so far from three shoots in studio to show in one on one review session
- Week 8 I will be photographing the fourth image.
- Post production for best images from shoot
- Best images prepared for printing and digital submissions including raw files and slideshow template
- Prepare Week 9 shoot including confirmation on products, props and locations etc.
Week 9
- Week 9 I will be photographing the fifth and sixth images.
- Post production for best images from shoot
- Best images prepared for printing and digital submissions including raw files and slideshow template
- Prepare Week 10 shoot including confirmation on products, props and locations etc.
- Feedback from teachers on week 9 shoot
Week 10
- Week 10 I will be photographing the seventh image.
- Post production for best images from shoot
- Best images prepared for printing and digital submissions including raw files and slideshow template
- Prepare Week 11 shoot including confirmation on products, props and locations etc.
- Feedback from teachers on week 9 shoots
Week 11
- Prepare for group review of work
- Week 11 I will be photographing the last image.
- Post production for best images from shoot
- Best images prepared for printing and digital submissions including raw files and slideshow template
Week 12
My aim is to have all 8 images photographer and edited by week 12 so if there are any reshoots I have another 2 weeks to complete these. If not I can now send the images off to the printers or do a est print to decide what paper best suits. Final retouches would also be done this week to assure that the images are cohesive and consistent.
Week 13
- Reshoots if needed
- Send to printers
- Mounting
Week 14
This week I will aim to have all my final preparations in order to submit the following week. I will receive the prints this week and get them mounted at framing pieces in Mitchell or alternatively mount them by hand. Once prints are mounted they will be wrapped up and ready for submission so there is no last minute rushes in the week that they are due.
- Final review with teachers
- Prints returned by post.
- Reprint if any issues
- Mounting
- Digital Files ready for submission
Week 15 Due
- Submit final images digital and prints
- Present to panel
Conclusion
I believe the key to this folio will be developing consistent images that are cohesive and work strongly together. Proper preparation and planning will be crucial to the smooth running of my folio leaving adequate time for any test shoots, reshooting and printing errors. I am looking forward to tackling this task and getting the most out of this new area of photography.
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