Searching out, trolling through, and being inspired by high-end food photographers is kind of fun. It’s a way to learn about your own preferences, tastes, and desire to improve, while at the same time figuring out what’s missing from your prop collection. Here are a couple of great photographers who have made a lasting impression on my thinking.
Olive Oil and Lemons
https://www.instagram.com/oliveoilandlemons/
What I love about this photographer and chef is the dedication and perfection of a style. The style is clean and bright, with white, grey, and pastel tones, and a very strong balanced composition. the food looks great, and the overall impression is one of health, vitality, and balance.
Image 1
This image stood out to me for it’s strong overhead composition. Based around the golden triangle it uses a simple non distracting background, placing clear circular shapes to be broken up with the odd straight line. But mostly the negative space is creating a pleasing line to follow, helped by cutlery. The simple shapes and muted palette help the food stand out, the pears and granola adding texture and colour. It’s a simple shot prop wise, with just plain white dishes that don’t distract, and additional colours in the carefully placed flowers.
While I know that my own style will never be so bright and airy as a preference, what I can take from this is the careful planning, consideration of shape, colour, texture, and the delicate balance created by very careful composition. All of this creates a particular feeling, and that is purposeful and intended.
Image 2
Taking a shot from a different viewpoint, approx 45 degrees, I like this image for a few reasons: the depth, the focus on a singular tasty item, the repetition of shapes heading towards the background. And again, the preparation of a muted single colour palette that brings out the best in the food and creates a strong choice stylistically. These two images are definitely shot by the same photographer. What I see when looking at this work as a whole is a clear visual brand identity, consistent throughout. Being able to create images within a clients brand aesthetic will be a challenging but interesting challenge.
The repetition of 3 shapes, fading into the background through a shallow depth of field, leads all eyes to the centrepiece of the image, the hero cake. It’s styled to see texture, with very precise placement of garnishes that add to the yum factor. Crumbs and other bits keep some texture in the negative space, which is quite large, so that it doesn’t take over.
The Little Plantation
https://www.instagram.com/thelittleplantation/
What struck me immediately about this photographer is the sheer hectic and lively feel of the images. Everything feels natural and messy, but it definitely isn’t… it’s crafted with crazy skills and preparation of mood. Mixed with great textures and props, and fantastic use of colour, you could spend hours drifting through the feed.
Image 1
Texture heaven. This image stood out to me for the natural textures, and colour palette. Layering from the bottom up it starts with a rough canvas texture in a muted natural hue. the natural grey/brown tones are continued in the linen style fabric, carefully placed to look messy. The dishes keep the same style, with a rustic stone effect. The pops the bright vibrant orange, yellow, and green of the soup and garnish., repeated 3 times, but with the main focus placed on a dish that sits directly in the center. Some scattered herbs and garnish add to the rustic look,a and the lighting embraces a daylight feel. Shadows are kept to emphasise texture, but it’s not too moody, the shadows are soft, probably with a large diffused window very close by.
My big take-away from this image is the power of texture and colour mixed with simple and strong composition. I love the slightly hectic and almost messy style, it’s something I would like to try and bring into my own work.
Image 2
I didn’t think a dark purple would work as a backdrop, but this sure does. Balanced by the colours of the plates, which are muted and pastel but still earthy blues, browns, and greens, the palette overall works really harmoniously. The star here isn’t one piece of food, but the creation of a lifestyle, a story. Adding a human element, the placing of the final plate, mixed with semi-messy styling of the food and props lets you believe you’re just about to sit down and enjoy. The negative space is also doing a lot of work here, as it allows the dark purple colour to live by itself a little, creating the mood and tone for the image.
What I love is that this is not a clean image, it’s lived in and lifestyle based. It looks extraordinarily complex to create this simple style, where one wrong placement turns it from hectic and beautiful, to unbalanced and messy. I’d love to try it.
