What’s really important is to simplify. The work of most photographers would be improved immensely if they could do one thing: get rid of the extraneous. If you strive for simplicity, you are more likely to reach the viewer.
— William Albert Allard
When you photograph still-life and food photography scenes, you truly make photos, as opposed to taking them. The scenes you construct involve elements like form, color, texture and often creative use of light, artfully combined into a cohesive presentation that delights the senses of all viewers and invites them to appreciate everyday objects and the preparation and ingesting of food on a whole new level.
This type of photography elevates these aspects of daily living to that of art and invites viewers to live more mindfully, more creatively and with gratitude. I am inspired daily by the work of stylists and photographers whom I see in lifestyle publications and venues like Pinterest. Often the simple, minimalistic compositions make the strongest visual impact.
This chapter is filled with lots of tips and tricks for creating gorgeous still-life and food photography scenes. There’s even a professional food stylist/photographer/cookbook author in the house, who is sure to inspire. And what if I told you it is possible to create amazing still-life photography using a mobile phone? One of my guest contributors lets you in on her secrets for doing so. But the best part about photography involving food is that you get to fully enjoy your art on a visceral level once you put the camera away.