Thursday, June 16, 2011

I Wanna Hear What You Want =D


Photography by Kan Kanbayashi via Prop Closet. Prop Stylist Robin Zachary.
I have great news! Professional creative art director and prop stylist, Robin Zachary -- whose awesome blog, Prop Closet, was the source of the photography tip I shared just a few days ago -- has agreed to do a guest post here to share some prop styling tips with us! Now that the hard part (getting her on board) is over, I need YOU to tell me by the end of Saturday (June 18) what you'd most like to learn from and/or ask her relating to PROP (not food) styling and general art direction. I'm looking forward to hearing what you want, and hope you're as excited about this as I am =D.
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Posted by Xiaolu at 7:58 PM
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36 comments:

  1. Maris (In Good Taste)June 16, 2011 at 8:37 PM

    Hard to say I am open to learning anything and everything she has to offer!

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  2. HannahJune 16, 2011 at 8:59 PM

    Awesome! In that case... I, for one, am dying to know how a pro would go about styling lasagne. I'm totally stumped on how to get clean layers, but not too clean/unnatural looking.

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  3. XiaoluJune 16, 2011 at 9:45 PM

    Thanks, you guys!

    Hannah - I'll check with Robin, but I think that falls more in the domain of food not prop styling. But as a creative director perhaps she has some experience with it too. Also though I myself have little experience with lasagna, based on analyzing the successful lasagna photos I've seen, here are some tips: You may want to try baking the lasagna in individual little ramekins so you don't have to make it messy to show single servings. Or you can photograph not the individual slice but the big pan of lasagna, with a slice missing or not. If you really want to show an individual slice, I think it helps the structure stay together if you use a fairly thick sauce inside and cool or even chill the lasagna before slicing. Once you get the slice on the plate, you can also trim it and clean up the edges with q-tips, napkins, etc. Hope some of that helps and maybe Robin will have more tips to add!

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  4. The Harried CookJune 16, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    Looking forward to this guest post! Awesome :) I would love some tips on photographing ice cream & other frozen desserts! I know the basics, yes. But some insider tips would be great! :) Thanks, Xiaolu!

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  5. Radhika @foodfor7stagesJune 17, 2011 at 12:54 AM

    This is a great news and am looking forward to this post. Any styling tips will be of great help.

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  6. MagpieJune 17, 2011 at 1:00 AM

    I would love to know where to score some affordable but gorgeous props! Also what to look out for, like what kind of props would go with what colours and kinds of food...

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  7. Tanvi@SinfullySpicyJune 17, 2011 at 1:48 AM

    So Looking forward to this.Food composition tips will be really useful in particular else I m ready to learn just about anything!

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  8. Gerry @Foodness GraciousJune 17, 2011 at 2:01 AM

    I have issues with limited choices of lighting in my kitchen, always looks yellow or fake to me and would like to put some life into my dark pics???
    Great idea for a post..

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  9. Taste JunctionJune 17, 2011 at 2:22 AM

    Great to know that you are hosting such a useful post...would be all ears for anything. Nut for beginners like me, would appreciate tips on how to approach color schemes, look etc while choosing props, fabrics. I mean what colors will look good with yellow dal, what would be nice with green veggies, with red ice cream..hope you get the gist. BTW do we get to read this post?

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  10. XiaoluJune 17, 2011 at 2:24 AM

    Thanks for the feedback, you guys!

    Taste Junction -- yes of course the post will be on my website to be shared with all =D

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  11. Rosa's Yummy YumsJune 17, 2011 at 2:38 AM

    That is awesome! I am looking forward to that post.

    Yes, food composition tips would be great.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  12. The CilantropistJune 17, 2011 at 3:18 AM

    I would like to know placement of props in an overhead/top-down shot. I feel like I have trouble - either they look too bare, or too busy! And also dealing with lighting for those shots, but I suppose that is not a styling issue. That would be great to hear! So excited for this! :)

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  13. YasmeenJune 17, 2011 at 4:08 AM

    i am so excited for this! i'm excited generally for how helpful your blog is :)

    i agree with the above -- i'd love to learn more about prop placement in overhead shots. i'm familiar with using a sweep, and i've accumulated some really lovely props from op shops (thrift), but it all looks a bit messy or totally boring when i put it together.

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  14. What's for dessert?June 17, 2011 at 6:25 AM

    Great news, looking forward for guest post!! I would like to learn more about matching colours and different types of desserts (cookies, chocolate cake, frozen desserts, fruit cakes ...) and I'm very interested in photo composition.

    Thanks, Xiaolu!

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  15. My Little SpaceJune 17, 2011 at 7:54 AM

    Xiaolu, I would love to know about anything especially in focusing and arrangement. I am getting really excited too. Thanks so much for sharing it. Have a great day.
    Kristy

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  16. Xinmei @ Pudding Pie LaneJune 17, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    Xiaolu, if it's possible, can I please have some tips on low budget props? As in, what everyday things I can use as props for photography? Thanks!

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  17. Mom-FridayJune 17, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    this is exciting! looking forward to ANY TIPS & TRICKS :)))

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  18. JeannieJune 17, 2011 at 11:37 AM

    sounds like a fun post...looking forward to it!

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  19. Yadsia @ShopCookMakeJune 17, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    Color coordination when selecting props for food.

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  20. SreeluJune 17, 2011 at 1:26 PM

    Xiaolu, composition ideas and tips would be so helpful. Also a photo log of setting up would be icing on cake

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  21. Indie.TeaJune 17, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    How to work with a limited budget! I'm sure most of food bloggers just don't have the budget that magazine shoots do :)
    ...And this is SUCH a great idea.

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  22. Rivki Locker (Ordinary Blogger)June 17, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    Great news! Can't wait for the post.
    I'd love strategies for "do it yourself" or low cost props.

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  23. ElianaJune 17, 2011 at 8:52 PM

    How exciting! Can't wait to read his post. My challenge with photographing and style has to do with little to no natural light. I'd like to know if she has any tips to offer about getting around that.

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  24. SueJune 18, 2011 at 12:35 AM

    I'm so lost that I don't even know what to ask, but I look forward to the post!

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  25. WizzyTheStickJune 18, 2011 at 12:51 AM

    I would like to know of online sources for reasonably priced props fabrics and other notions

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  26. Quay Po CooksJune 18, 2011 at 2:48 AM

    I am SO looking forward to this post. Tips on prop composition, color coordination with the food will be great. I can't wait!

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  27. MarlaJune 18, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    That sandwich is gorgeous! I look forward to hearing all of the great prop tips :)

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  28. naomiJune 18, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    Here my question. If you aren't using fabric to pull up the back, how far away should the back background prop be to the hero of the shot?

    Im so excited for this, Xiaolu.

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  29. RFRJune 18, 2011 at 11:38 PM

    hey! great post idea! I am not even at the level you are at, but I do always get composition rejections from these food photography sites. I have trouble propping with beverages and soups..liquids. Actually I have trouble shooting the subject alone...can't imagine propping!

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  30. MikaJune 19, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    Wow!!!I can't wait to read the guest post...

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  31. Ellie @ Kitchen WenchJune 19, 2011 at 8:34 AM

    Fantastic! I'd love some insight into too much vs. not enough props in a shot :)

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  32. MagdaJune 19, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    I'm late :( But I see others took care of most important issues. Because I would love to know what should be my basic props when my budget is limited. I know good base will be white dinnerware, but I would love to know more. Can't wait to read this post :)

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  33. Smoky Wok (formerly Tastes of Home)June 20, 2011 at 2:38 AM

    Xiaolu, looks like I'm late to the game oops! But I am definitely looking fwd to the post :)

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  34. Robin @ Prop ClosetJune 21, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    Hi to all Xiaolu's followers! These are all great questions. I'll be working on the post as soon as I finish two styling jobs so will hopefully be able to address all of them. Thanks for your interest!

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  35. PlatefulJune 30, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    This post has been removed by the author.

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  36. PlatefulJune 30, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    Sounds cool! Can't wait to see food photography tips, any tips for that matter, from a professional in the field. Any info goes a long way for newbies like me ...:)

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I love hearing from you all! Please leave me a message if you have questions, advice, or just to let me know you stopped by. Your feedback is always very much appreciated. Thanks! <3 Xiaolu

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