Monday Favorites!

On my 5th day here, I'm finally seeing the rainy side of Singapore (I knew there was a reason the leaves are all so darn green =p). I don't mind, though -- the sounds of the downpour are just right for a lazy morning in. And it's the perfect chance to share this week's picks with my readers! Today I'm adding a new twist to this series -- it's entirely optional but I think it'll be fun and educational.



For those of you who enjoyed last week's overview of food photography and styling and want to improve your skills in those areas, I have a little challenge. As you scroll through the photos below, pick one favorite (or more if you want) to "read," and share your analysis in the comments section below. I highly recommend this guide to "reading" food photos, but in short, to read a photograph means to identify the visual elements used by the photographer that make the image successful (or not). Some good questions to start asking yourself are:

• What is the main subject of the photo and how is that being communicated?
• What is the story/mood of the photo and what elements support that?
• What direction is the light coming from? Is it hard or soft (diffused)? (Hint: observe the shadows to help answer this)
• What camera angle is being used and what effect does this create?
• What colors are found in the photo and what feeling do they produce?
• How are shapes, textures, and space being used?
• Where are the focal points in the photo and how are your eyes encouraged to move among them?

Reading photos (and practice taking your own) is key to your growth as a food photographer/stylist because it allows you to observe the abstract concepts you've read about when put in action. As you identify what works in other photos, you'll form a sense of your own style and how to create the effects you desire in your own shots.



Figs on a Platter from Dolce Vita

To get things started, I'm going to share my own analysis from "reading" the photograph of figs above. The figs are the main subject of this photo. This is evident from the fact that they are placed centrally in the frame. Including 2 sliced figs also helps to draw attention to the fruit, and adds a nice touch of red color which is complementary to the green on the outside. The figs also have prominence as the main source of color in the photo, since everything else is restricted to neutral whites and browns. There is a lovely aged feeling about this photo that makes it almost like an old painting. This feeling comes partly from the fairly low, hard lighting which comes from the left side. The saturation seems to have been reduced and the edges of the photo seem to be slightly darker (vignetting). The vintage props (metal stand, knife, and table with chipped paint) chosen for this photo also contribute to its aged look. The camera angle used here is slightly higher than head-on (at around 10-15 degrees). This works well to highlight the shape of the figs and the seeds inside, which are much more interesting from the side than from above. The principle of pattern is present here in the use of many figs and 2 sliced pieces instead of just one. By tiling the figs as well as the fabric and knife, the natural curve of the figs is enhanced and there is good movement throughout the frame. Lastly, the "white space" at the top of the photo is nicely balanced by the textured table and fabric below, which help to give weight to the image.



Phew -- OK that's it...I'm done and now it's your turn! Please don't feel like you have to make your analysis as detailed as mine. I just wanted to give an example of all the information that is there for you to learn from if you pay close attention. I hope you find this useful, as I'm planning to make it just one of many follow-ups to my main post on food photography and styling. Happy "Reading"!

Lemon Bars from The Cookie Shop

Cucumber Caipiranhas from Cookie+Kate

Fresh Apricot Galette with Blueberries and White Chocolate Sauce from Csokiparány

Berry Linzer Tart Photograph Styled by Carla Gonzalez-Hart

Wild Mushroom Photograph from Photo-copy Ann

Steaming Tea Photograph from Hungry Ghost

Mini Strawberry Buckwheat Cakes from Lemonpi

Radish Green and Artichoke Pasta from Cooking Books