9/21/2012

Food Photographer: What Does It Take To Be One?

By Bryan Hartz


Becoming a food photographer isn't as easy as it looks - it's not just about shooting whatever item looks palatable or edible. Food photography, just like any other branch of photography is all about creating images that not only record an event, but also tells your audience a story. Photography is both a science and an art, and there's a reason why professionals are paid high for their services.

In order to become a successful food photographer, you're going to have to first take up the technical aspects of food photography. If you want to have a stable foundation in food photography, it is highly recommended that you take up a college degree in photography first. You can find such training programs being offered in community and junior colleges, vocational schools, and universities.

By enrolling in a photography training program, you should have a solid foundation in the craft that will be very useful in your quest of becoming a professional food photographer. Some of the essential subjects that you will take up in your photography course are elements of exposure, equipment, composition, color management, photographic lighting, and post processing.

As a food photographer, among the key characteristics you must possess to become a real professional are creativity and a keen sense of imagination. You should be able to see things in a different perspective and think differently too. You can also sharpen your photography skills by attending photo-shoot sessions, working part-time as an assistant photographer, and joining camera clubs.

You should only get immersed in food photography once you have mastered the basics of photography in general. It's like taking a college degree first before moving on to a specialized field. A food photographer is a special area of photography that requires the use of specific lighting techniques, styling, equipment, props, shooting techniques, composition, and effects.

There are many employment opportunities that await you as a food photographer - food magazines, cookbooks, food blogs, restaurants, catering businesses, advertising companies, and food manufacturing industries are just some examples. Keep in mind though that competition can be quite tough in this field so therefore it is important to have your own style of photography and make it stand out among the rest.




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