Food Styling and Photography
FOOD STYLISTS
A food stylist creates pictures and moods with foods on display. The display may be functional, such as for a function, or for photography.
Food stylists are usually trained chefs or someone that has worked with foods. They need a lot of creative ability. They usually do not make the food display, but decorate and arrange it so it seems appealing. They employ the basic design principles of variety in colour, texture and flavour. In advertisements, they usually repeat the colour of the packaging in the background to promote and reinforce.
Food Stylists work with a theme in mind. E.g. Heart foundation display would have a low fat approach. The stylist must take into account all aspects of the setting to reflect a theme. These aspects include:
PHOTOGRAPHY
Food Stylists often work with a photographer to get the perfect shot for a client. It is time consuming but creates an atmosphere that stimulates the appetite and encourages consumers to eat the food. Food Styling and Photography appears in:
Getting the perfect shot is difficult. Lighting causes food to dry out, shrink, sag and discolour, so food stylists employ some interesting techniques.
Reading:
Tricks of the Trade
Food photography that is advertised often becomes the object of public scrutiny. Advertisers exaggerate attractiveness, and sometimes size. Often this is associated with fast food.
TASK 12: FOOD STYLING AND PHOTOGRAPHY
1. What is the role of a food stylist?
To display, decorate, and modify a food so that it appears appealing to a consumer
2. What are some of the food stylist tricks of the trade?
Some tricks include painting on sauces on meat to look appealing and plump, spraying on different sprays to foods such as hairspray on cake, to keep it looking moist, using wax, paper towels and different, thicker sauces to create the perfect sauce, and pinning everything carefully in place.
3. Name 3 tools which would be used by a food stylist and state what it is used for.
Syringe - Injecting sauces onto the plate.
Pins - Holds the food in place
Spray Bottle - Spray food to keep it looking moist
Pastry brush or paint brush - To paint onto food to look juicy and cooked
Paper towels - To keep sauce in place and carefully clean up little drips or spills
4. Do you think it is misleading the consumer to use photography tricks in food product advertising?
I think it is misleading because what is being advertised is not what we as a consumer are often eating. I think that they should have a more honest approach.. Also, they should not make food look bigger or advertise the food being eaten by a skinny model because that is misleading.
Post your opinion on the Class Blog.
A food stylist creates pictures and moods with foods on display. The display may be functional, such as for a function, or for photography.
Food stylists are usually trained chefs or someone that has worked with foods. They need a lot of creative ability. They usually do not make the food display, but decorate and arrange it so it seems appealing. They employ the basic design principles of variety in colour, texture and flavour. In advertisements, they usually repeat the colour of the packaging in the background to promote and reinforce.
Food Stylists work with a theme in mind. E.g. Heart foundation display would have a low fat approach. The stylist must take into account all aspects of the setting to reflect a theme. These aspects include:
- Tablecloths
- Napkins
- Placemats
- Table decorations
- Plates, bowls, serving dishes
- Serving utensils such as spoons and tongs
- Cutlery
- Glassware
PHOTOGRAPHY
Food Stylists often work with a photographer to get the perfect shot for a client. It is time consuming but creates an atmosphere that stimulates the appetite and encourages consumers to eat the food. Food Styling and Photography appears 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 is difficult. Lighting causes food to dry out, shrink, sag and discolour, so food stylists employ some interesting techniques.
Reading:
Tricks of the Trade
Food photography that is advertised often becomes the object of public scrutiny. Advertisers exaggerate attractiveness, and sometimes size. Often this is associated with fast food.
TASK 12: FOOD STYLING AND PHOTOGRAPHY
1. What is the role of a food stylist?
To display, decorate, and modify a food so that it appears appealing to a consumer
2. What are some of the food stylist tricks of the trade?
Some tricks include painting on sauces on meat to look appealing and plump, spraying on different sprays to foods such as hairspray on cake, to keep it looking moist, using wax, paper towels and different, thicker sauces to create the perfect sauce, and pinning everything carefully in place.
3. Name 3 tools which would be used by a food stylist and state what it is used for.
Syringe - Injecting sauces onto the plate.
Pins - Holds the food in place
Spray Bottle - Spray food to keep it looking moist
Pastry brush or paint brush - To paint onto food to look juicy and cooked
Paper towels - To keep sauce in place and carefully clean up little drips or spills
4. Do you think it is misleading the consumer to use photography tricks in food product advertising?
I think it is misleading because what is being advertised is not what we as a consumer are often eating. I think that they should have a more honest approach.. Also, they should not make food look bigger or advertise the food being eaten by a skinny model because that is misleading.
Post your opinion on the Class Blog.