In photography, as is the case with almost everything else is life, the devil is in the details. Viewing the food photography every day in the online New York Times, I take mental notes of how the prepared dish is lit, arranged, in which dish or dishes it is contained,  as well as the backdrop. What I noticed most recently in the Times is that the photographs shifted from a dark background and dishes to much lighter.  Both food and photography are great interests of mine, and I tend to notice these things photographing food as still life.  When doing a cooked dish or baked goods shot, the subject matter has to be prepared first, and organization is the key.  After things like soups and stews are prepared, a photographer can take her or his time, in most cases.  I ladled a broccoli, red pepper, and cheddar chowder into a small bowl, photographed it, and put it back into the pot.  Then it was on to the almond flour muffins.  When they finished baking, I removed them from the muffin tin and placed one on a plate, filled the bowl with chowder again and did a second shoot.  Just barely in time for the first knock on our door.  The table still needed to be dressed, but our friends are easy.  We can talk and do that at the same time.  

The solids of this chowder or soup get cut first.  Unless a photographer has assistants, or is altering the food in some way, potatoes are time-critical because of oxidation.  I didn't spend much time dawdling.   Natural light and dimmed overhead light were used.

Cheese and vegetable soupl 1

The initial ladle of soup is shown here in two slightly different positions.  The golden hue of the cheese gives its own backdrop to the veggies.

Cheese and vegetable soupl 3

Cheese and vegetable soupl 2

Cheese and vegetable soupl 4

The accompanying muffin completes the light lunch.  

Cheese and vegetable soupl 5

Each time I photograph food, I realize what a true art it is, and that I have a lot to learn.  But what is cooking, photography, and life without a daily lesson?

Thanks to Brenda, Barbara F. R., Ingrid, Sandra B., TTT, Suz, Catherine, Steve, Kay, Robert, Christina, and Paule for your thoughtfulness and comments last week.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©