Food Photography - Smithfield Market

[ryan ball photography]

Hi everyone, just finished my article about my visit to Smithfield market with some photos of my trip. Check it out: Food Photography, Ryan Ball, London, SW17 - Smithfield Market Thanks Ryan

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[TCampbell]

Ryan,

As always, I'm envious of your food photos. I have a friend who is a chef/owner of a restaurant and he's been the victim of many bad photographers. Ultimately I got "volunteered" to shoot food for him (my other half said "Tim will take your photos!" <ugggh>). I'm not a food photographer. I'm a wedding photographer. I explain that... it's never a good idea to send your sports photographer to shoot weddings. It's not a good idea to send your wedding photographer to shoot wildlife. It's not a good idea to send your wildlife photographer to shoot sports. We could go on and on, but you get the idea. We know what we learn and practice... but if we jump out of that comfort zone, then what we know are the basics. I'd be lying if I didn't say shooting food is a struggle for me. I really have to "work" at getting results -- they don't come easy to me.

Also... where on earth did you find orange that actually have stems and leaves for your backgrounds? Please tell me you faked this or that you went to a craft store and glued them on. It'll make me feel better if you lie to me. Seriously!

[ryan ball photography]

Thanks Tim!

Yeah I agree, its very different photographing a subject that you are not exposed to often. I've done a few weddings recently for some friends of mine, it was quite stressful! I got some cracking shots though but not having the full control of a studio at my hands I was forced to act quickly and make very quick judgements on lighting etc. Quite different to food photography as you can imagine. I treat my studio food photography like a blank canvas where I can create scenes and manipulate the light as and how I like. But I'm a big believer in forcing yourself out of your comfort zone and trying something new, it makes you a better photographer overall.

Sorry Tim I can't lie, I bought the oranges with leaves from a market in London. However the client changed the brief after that shoot, so I had to reshoot the oranges on a lighter background. When I returned back to the market they were all out of oranges with leaves. I had to cheat by gluing clementine leaves onto oranges, not ideal but it worked. Recently I was doing a shoot for a blackcurrant cordial packaging. However there is no blackcurrants in season anywhere! I found a company called Juicy Fruits Models which saved the day. Even with the model blackcurrants in your hand it is hard to tell that they are fake!

[beryl]

Professional food photography is a collaborative effort, usually involving an art director.