Picture Perfect Food

Shoot Stunning, Professional Food Photography that Looks Good Enough to Eat! Snapping unbelievably gorgeous food photos has never been simpler than with Picture Perfect Food, your all-in-one guide to delicious-looking images from prolific photographer and educator, Joanie Simon. Whether you’re an up-and-coming food blogger, looking to break into commercial photography or capturing food just for fun (and your Instagram account), this approachable collection of tutorials will have you taking tantalizing and tasty shots with every snap of the shutter. No matter if you’re using your phone, your fanciest DSLR or any camera in between, you’ll gain complete confidence as you expand your technical knowledge and grow your artistic eye, creating awe-inspiring images that dazzle the senses. With her cheerful teaching style, Joanie walks you through each element of a masterful food photo in chapters devoted to Camera Settings, Light and Shadow, Story, Props Styling, Composition, Food Styling and Finding Inspiration. Learn how to find the best light in your house for standout shots and to delve into the shadows to create a moody and mesmerizing atmosphere; discover how to compose the elements in your scenes through color theory and visual weight for unforgettable images that capture and hold the eye; and uncover the secrets of styling sensational salads and stunning soups and keeping your cool when shooting frozen foods, among other essential tricks of the trade. With camera in hand and Joanie’s expert guidance at your fingertips, tackle every photography challenge with confidence and take your food photos from meh to mouthwatering in no time.

Foreword by Skip Cohen Translating the chaos of the real world into a breathtakingly simple, beautiful photograph can often seem like an impossible task. With busy, cluttered backgrounds and subjects who don’t know how to pose, how can you take control and get a great shot no matter the situation? In Picture Perfect Practice, photographer Roberto Valenzuela breaks down the craft of photography into three key elements–locations, poses, and execution–that you can use to unlock the photographic opportunities lying beneath every challenging situation. Valenzuela stresses the need for photographers to actively practice their craft every day–just like you would practice a musical instrument–in order to master the art of making great images. With chapters that offer practice exercises to strengthen your photographic abilities, you’ll learn how to approach a scene, break it down, and see your way to a great photograph. The Location section features chapters that cover symmetry, balance, framing, color elements, textures, and much more. The Posing section includes the Five Key Posing Techniques that Valenzuela uses every time he’s shooting people, as well as a complete list of poses and how to achieve, customize, and perfect them. The Execution portion, with sections like “Lighting through Direction” and “Simplicity through Subtraction,” reveals Valenzuela’s overall approach to getting the shot. The book also includes an inspiring and helpful chapter on deliberate practice techniques, where Valenzuela describes his system for practicing and analyzing his work, which leads to constant improvement as a photographer. If you’ve been frustrated and overwhelmed by the challenges of real-world locations, posing your subjects, or executing a great image–or if you simply want to become a better shooter but don’t know where to start– Picture Perfect Practice gives you the tools and information you need to finally become the kind of photographer you’ve always wanted to be: the kind who can confidently walk into any location, under any lighting condition, with any subject, and know that you can create astonishing photographs that have a timeless impact.

Do you need help making your food look as delicious as it tastes? Are you a “foodie” hungry for more tantalizing photos of your culinary creations? Do you have a food blog that you’d like to take to the next level, with better images and a stronger business strategy? Then this book is for you! In Food Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots, Second Edition, photographer Nicole Young returns to dish up the basics on everything you need to know to make great food images, from getting the right camera equipment to mastering the key photographic principles of aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. She offers tips on styling food using props, fabrics, and tabletops; and she explains how to improve your photos through editing after the shoot. This new edition features many brand-new images and examples, accompanied by up-to-date discussions on achieving good lighting and composition. In addition Nicole covers developments in the industry that have emerged since the publication of the first edition, such as the entry of mirrorless cameras on the scene, and more. She also provides a brand new post-processing section focusing on Photoshop Lightroom, showing how to improve your photos through sharpening, color enhancement, and other editing techniques. Beautifully illustrated with large, vibrant photos, this book offers the practical advice and expert shooting tips you need to get the food images you want every time you pick up your camera.

Snapping gorgeous food photos has never been simpler than with this book of bite-sized lessons from a professional food photographer. Through 48 quick and easy tutorials, Joanie Simon will provide you with the knowledge needed to take your photos from meh to mouthwatering. With chapters devoted to Light, Composition, Styling and Story, Joanie walks you through every element that goes into a stunning food photo. Each page also poses a unique photography challenge that will make you a better photographer through firsthand experience and infuse your photos with your own sense of self and story. You will learn the hidden secrets of food styling, how to use natural light to your advantage and a few simple recipe tweaks to get the perfect shot of whatever meal you’re making! Even better, you’ll gain new skills for photography mastery on both a DSLR or phone, as well as the knowledge for when to use either type of camera. Whether you're capturing food for pure enjoyment or looking to get more eyeballs on your blog, let this book be your guide to beautiful, professional photos that look good enough to eat. This book will have 48 projects and at least 75 photos.

Discover insider secrets for mouthwatering photographs Andrew Scrivani, food photographer for the New York Times, is one of the most respected names in the business. He’s also a teacher of the craft, advising #foodporn obsessives, bloggers, photographers ready for the next step, and anyone who loves to shoot and eat, in how to: See the light (craft and shape it the way you want) Embrace the math (calculate ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and white balance) Consider visual storytelling (single vs. multiple image narratives) Master tricks for shooting in restaurants (window, bounce cards) Be a control freak (shop, prep, cook, style, and shoot) Turn passion into profit (work and get paid) Part straight-forward practical advice, part stories from the field, with many of Scrivani’s signature photos, this book will definitely make you hungry.

The secret to taking off those hated pounds? "I lost 25 pounds living up to Dr. Shapiro's simple plan for reducing my waistline. What worked for me were the visual aids-- a picture can be worth 1,000 calories! They don't call him the Prince of Pounds for nothing!"--Dennis Duggan, Pulitzer prize-winning columnist, Newsday Dr. Shapiro proves that great eating and weight loss can go hand in hand if you make the right choices. Starting the day right, eating out for pleasure or business, enjoying a snack or even a chocolate indulgence-- it can all be done without gaining weight, if you follow the "picture perfect" guidelines in this book. Dr. Shapiro's proven program of Food Awareness Training empowers you to take charge of your eating. You can stop depriving yourself, stop feeling guilty-- and stop dieting. Whether you want to lose 100 pounds or want to maintain the healthy weight you have now, here are the images that will instantly change your habits for life. "Dr. Shapiro brings an important new approach to weight control. This book allows the reader to get the picture of a personal eating plan for healthy living."--George L. Blackburn, M.D., Ph.D., Harvard Medical School "In 40 years of reading and evaluating writing on obesity and nutrition, this is one of the most clearly written books I have ever read. The photographs are indeed an innovation in understanding the details and personal applications of Dr. Shapiro's approach."--Maria Day Simonson, Sc.D., Ph.D., director, the Johns Hopkins Health, Weight, and Stress Clinic "Dr. Shapiro has written the definitive book about making intelligent eating choices. The photos are truly a revelation, and the book's commonsense approach makes it accessible to everyone."--Drew Nieporent, restauranteur "A visual and effective book that is for everybody! It gets a very important message across in a wonderfully simple way!"--Denise Austin, host of Lifetime TV's Daily Workout "As a dietitian, I like seeing in pictures what we have been telling people for years. . . . Here is some basic, sound information that everyone can benefit from."--Franca Alphin, R.D., administrative director, Duke University Diet and Fitness Center "A startling book that taught me more about nutrition that I had learned in 4 years at medical school, 5 years of postgraduate training, and 30 years of orthopedic practice. This book is a 'must read' for most all physicians as well as their patients."--Marvin S. Gilbert, M.D., Manhattan Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Group "A very simple but potent tool for helping people make changes without diets or 'resistance' to any food.... The approach is a win-win!"--Susan Olson, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and coauthor of Keeping It Off: Winning at Weight Loss

Provides a collection of recipes for elegant kosher dishes along with tips on food preparation, table decorations, choosing a kosher wine, and holiday menus.

For amateurs and pros looking to add to their portfolios, How to Photograph Food makes food photography a piece of cake! How to Photograph Food is the gorgeous, informative photography book you didn't know you needed. For budding photographers and social media personalities, the perfect image has never been easier to capture, and How to Photograph Foodputs it all within reach. Chapters include: Gear Lighting Frame and Balance Food Styling Photo Editing Thinking like a Pro You'll learn the essential equipment, how to keep food looking good on a shoot, how to work with props, managing lighting, and much more, all from a skilled photographer and teacher. With only a digital camera and a little practice, you'll be able to turn out images with great contrast, balance, and appeal that look as good as they taste.