How to make better food porn

[tenspeed]

Heard a segment on the radio today (scroll down a few segments), and also read the linked article. Thought others might find it of interest.

1.13.16: Aaron Swartz - The Idealist, Secrets of Food Photography, & Snow Removal Personalities | New Hampshire Public Radio

 

[Addie]

Heard a segment on the radio today (scroll down a few segments), and also read the linked article. Thought others might find it of interest.

1.13.16: Aaron Swartz - The Idealist, Secrets of Food Photography, & Snow Removal Personalities | New Hampshire Public Radio

I knew about some of the tricks of food porn. Such as smearing Vaseline on steaks and painting the stripes with Kitchen Bouquet to make it look delicious and juicy. The tampon one really got me though. They also use a lit cigarette to denote steam.

Thanks for the interesting item.

 

[Kayelle]

Thanks for the link TS, but I knew about many of the tricks. Maybe it's just me, but I hate to see food abuse.

 

[GotGarlic]

Thanks for the link TS, but I knew about many of the tricks. Maybe it's just me, but I hate to see food abuse.

It's not just you...

 

[Cooking Goddess]

When I did food demos at a local grocery store in OH, our boss had most recently worked for Meredith corporation in Des Moines as a test kitchen chef. The (horror) stories she would tell about the food stylist's requests to make the food photo-worthy brought tears to all of our eyes. I figured things like shellac in the maple syrup to make it drape better only invited problems - like the shaving-cream-for-whipped-cream story in the article.

 

[taxlady]

Thanks for the link TS, but I knew about many of the tricks. Maybe it's just me, but I hate to see food abuse.

Food abuse, great description. I was squirming when I read that article, even though I knew a lot of those tricks before hand.

 

[Zhizara]

I agree with "food abuse". To me, food porn is truly edible and makes you drool, like some of the great pictures in our smoker and grilling threads.

 

[taxlady]

I agree with "food abuse". To me, food porn is truly edible and makes you drool, like some of the great pictures in our smoker and grilling threads.

+1
I was hoping for tips on how to photograph my meals better. I won't be using any of those tips.

 

[Kayelle]

There's a few really talented "real food" photographers right here who often post on the nightly dinner thread. Off the top of my head, that would be Salt&Pepper, Cheryl, and SteveKroll. Now and then everyone gets lucky, and all pictures are appreciated. I'm often too worried about food fussing before it gets cold.

 

[Dawgluver]

+1. I would add Paymaster, Savannah and Powerplantop. There are several more as well.

 

[Kayelle]

+1. I would add Paymaster, Savannah and Powerplantop. There are several more as well.

You're so right Dawg. I also thought of them after posting! I'm sure there are many more also. I was really thinking of the regulars at the nightly dinner thread.

 

[Dawgluver]

You're so right Dawg. I also thought of them after posting! I'm sure there are many more also. I was really thinking of the regulars at the nightly dinner thread.

True, Kay. Any food pic here, we consider food porn! All pics are admired and drooled over!

And our DC folks do it without the help of lipstick, vaseline, or cigarette smoke! (At least, not on the food...)

 

[Cooking Goddess]

I was hoping for tips on how to photograph my meals better....

Serious Eats had a series that gave advice for taking better food fotos. You can probably find a lot of good suggestions in them.

The Serious Eat Guide to Food Photography

 

[Addie]

I agree with "food abuse". To me, food porn is truly edible and makes you drool, like some of the great pictures in our smoker and grilling threads.

When you look at those pictures, you do have to look with more than just a grain of salt. More like a mouthful.

 

[taxlady]

Serious Eats had a series that gave advice for taking better food fotos. You can probably find a lot of good suggestions in them.

The Serious Eat Guide to Food Photography

Ooh yeah, that's the kind of thing I was hoping for. It's a good reminder. I learned just about all that stuff in photography classes. I just have to remember to use it.

 

[Cooking Goddess]

Glad it helped. And just like that, taxy, you may have fallen into the Serious Eats "rabbit hole". Isn't that a fun site, though?