Specialization in Food Photography and Styling

Briefly, I'll tell you about some options you can use to decorate a photography set and make your food stand out and look more appetizing.

Scenarios

Our set

I'll explain how to put together a set for your productions and cover the basic elements you need to achieve great photography.

Light measurement

Let's learn how to measure light in a simple and accurate way. With this method, you'll be able to achieve what you're looking for from the first shot.

I'll tell you about the differences between hard light and soft light, and we'll see how, using very simple lighting, we can achieve great results.

Light quality

Shooting

It's time! Let's create some amazing photos! We'll position the product, light it, set the mood, and start shooting.

Style Change

We've got our photo ready! Now it's time to create a variable, which aims to create a very different look by simply adjusting our lighting a little.

System settings

We will create a color flow that guarantees color continuity between Lightroom and Photoshop.

Revealed

I'll share my step-by-step digital development process with you. With this guide, you'll be able to make your photos look their best.

Retouch

There are details that are difficult to control in a photo shoot, so here we'll improve our image by removing imperfections and enhancing the light and color.

We now have our image ready. Now we'll create several files, optimizing them according to their intended use.

File output

Food Styling for Beginners: Visually Enhance Flavors

Module 3

Food isn't just cooked, it's also staged. Marcela Lovegrove knows this well: she's been transforming ingredients into memorable images for over 40 years. Through her experience, you'll learn to bring out the essence of each dish, playing with textures, shapes, and colors to achieve compositions that awaken the appetite and capture the eye from the first moment.

15 lessons (3h 8m)

What is Food Styling?

In this lesson, I'm going to talk to you about the project we're going to develop in the course, how this profession came about, what it does, and what its function is.

19m

Basic work kit

Now I want to show you the basic tools to work with. Whenever we take food photos, we'll need elements to help us with the task.

I'll tell you about the elements that make up photos and that are, to a greater or lesser extent, necessary. They are commonly known as props.

Project needs

Tips for photographing food

I want to start by explaining some basic concepts that you should keep in mind when taking food photos.

18m

Show off food on camera

In this lesson, I'll share some things I keep in mind when preparing food for photography, not eating.

Here I will tell you about the basic general considerations that I recommend you keep in mind when putting together a photo.

Assembling of the photos

Here I'll talk about everything you need to consider when preparing and presenting a budget.

Budgets

15m

Preproduction

Now you'll learn how to organize yourself to do a good job and the importance of this stage for successful work.

Mood Board

A mood board is a selection of reference images presented to the client to show them ideas for backgrounds, tableware, canvases, etc., so they can decide on the aesthetics of the photographs to be taken. This is what we'll cover in this lesson and how to put it together.

Pasta with natural light 1

It's time for the photo shoot! In this lesson, we'll show you the entire creative process behind a photo.

Pasta with natural light 2

Our starting point is a plate of pasta and we're going to take the photo with the light coming in through the window.

16m

Fash pasta

Now we will take two other variants with artificial light coming from flashes.

Cookies with natural light

Let's go through the photos of the cookies; the one we'll see in this lesson will be taken using natural light.

Our latest variation is cookie photography using artificial light. Join us for the process.

Flash cookies

Finally, I'll show you how the final photos that will be presented to the client turned out.

Final photos

Here I'll present the basic equipment you'll need to take these photographs, and what I usually work with. We'll review all the elements and their features.

Food Photography: Find Your Artistic Taste

Module 4

A good dish first enters through the eyes, and Jimena Agois demonstrates this with each of her flavorful and subtle images. A specialist in food production, direction, and styling, she shares her vision for capturing photographs that captivate at first sight. She explores different lighting schemes, perfects her food styling, and finds her own unique style that makes each ingredient shine.

12 lessons (1h 17m)

Basic equipment

Natural light

In this lesson, I'll talk about natural light. I'll tell you how to identify it in a space and how to manage it optimally for photography. I'll also talk about the difference between hard and soft light, and the tools you need to achieve them using diffusers or bounces. Finally, I'll talk about light direction and its effects.

Simple artificial light

Now I'll show you the basic artificial lighting equipment you'll need for taking food photos. I'll also show you the basic modifiers you should have, such as umbrellas, softboxes, etc., and how to achieve a natural light mood with artificial light using these modifiers.

The double artificial light

In this part of the process, I'll use two flashes to illuminate a product. I'll show you how to consider the placement of a main light and a second fill light that will help give brightness and volume to the dish.

The composition

There are several factors that help us compose a photograph. In this lesson, I'll explain what the rule of three is and how it helps us improve our composing. I'll also discuss focus and how the product we're trying to highlight should be the center of attention and should be clearly and sharply visible in the image. Finally, we'll look at depth of field, how it helps us maintain focus on the main subject, and how the eye path in an image helps us emphasize it.

The angles

Next, I'll tell you about the three most commonly used angles in food photography: overhead, frontal, and 45-degree.

Food styling

Finally, I'll talk about food styling and the basic tools you can use to take your photos. I'll also share some tips to improve your dish setup when photographing food.

16m

Mood board and shots

In this lesson, we'll create a mood board for the project. In my case, I'm going to take photographs of cookies. The same type of cookies, in three different flavors, each from a different angle: overhead, frontal, and 45-degree angle. I'll define each shot and what I'll need for each one. I'll maintain the same color scheme for all three shots, as if they were related editorial projects. You can do your project this way, or you can take three shots of the same food with completely different props and colors, but they must be from the three angles mentioned above.

Plate assembly, food styling and first photo

In this lesson, I'll explain how to arrange your plate according to the angle from which you'll be taking the photo. We'll apply basic food styling tips to make your dishes look more appealing. You'll see how I use several of the tools recommended above.

Plate assembly, food styling and second photo

Now I'm going to take my second photo. This time, a 45-degree shot, again using a second light.

Plate assembly, food styling and third photo

It's time for the third photo. The angle will be completely frontal, and I'll use two lights to achieve a different lighting than the previous shots.

Edit and export photos

Finally, I'll explain the editing process I use for my photos. I'll also show you how to export photos, either in high quality or for online work and mobile use.

Dark Mood Photography for Culinary Projects

Module 5

Dácil Fernández masters the art of creating profound and elegant atmospheres where food takes center stage. With an unmistakable style and brands like Nescafé, Tefal, and Bulldog under her belt, she shares her process for capturing seductive scenes with shadows, contrasts, and textures. Learn to build dark mood compositions from the initial idea to the final edit, and let the dark light speak for itself in your images.

15 lessons (2h 8m)

What is Dark Mood photography

In this lesson, we'll delve into the term "Dark Mood" to understand exactly what this photographic technique entails. We'll obviously apply it to food photography, but it's also used in other types of photography, such as portraits and pet photography.

Natural light: understand it to master it

Lighting is the most crucial part of photography, but it's also the most difficult to achieve. In this lesson, we'll look at how to use light, a natural resource available to everyone, as an ally to achieve our goals.

Color in food photography

Next, I'm going to talk to you about the importance of color in our photographs and its ability to generate different sensations and emotions.

Frame orientation, camera angles, and composition

Now I'm going to talk to you about framing orientation and camera angles. I'll also teach you the most commonly used composition rules in food photography. Let's get to it!

The creative process

In this lesson, I'll show you my creative process, from the conception of the idea to the final shot. You'll understand why it's so important to have a good workflow and proper planning to save time and avoid getting lost in the process.

Storytelling: let's tell a story

Now we're going to delve into the world of visual storytelling. We're going to make our photographs captivate and excite the viewer through storytelling. Because everything is so much more meaningful if we tell it as a story.

How to visualize your ideas

In this lesson, we'll begin to flesh out our project idea in a more visual way. I'll teach you how to do this using a mood board and a sketch.

Photo props, props and backgrounds

Finally, I'll show you the basic and essential props to get started in the exciting world of food photography. You'll also see the ones I'll use for my project, I'll show you how to make some homemade props, and finally, I'll give you some shopping tips you'll fall in love with.

Organization on set

In this lesson, I'll tell you how we'll organize ourselves on set and everything we'll need to have on hand. It's essential to avoid any mishaps.

Composing our photo: frontal plane 1

In this lesson, we'll compose a still life shot from the front for the first photo. We'll start by placing the basic props to create a base.

Composing our photo: frontal shot 2

We continue composing the photo. I'm going to fill the wine glasses and add other elements to create the perfect scene for the frontal shot.

Composing our photo: zenith plane

In this lesson, we'll compose our still life in a flatlay shot. We'll follow the same process as in the front-on shot.

18m

The Dark Mood style in Lightroom editing

In this lesson, I'm going to show you how I edit one of the photos from our shoot using Lightroom to make the Dark Mood effect even more striking.

Editing apps on your mobile phone

Next, I'm going to tell you about three essential apps for mobile editing. One is the queen of filters, another of mobile retouching, and the last, for me, is one of the best apps for removing elements from a photo.

A homogeneous and impressive feed on Instagram

Finally, in this lesson, I'll give you some tips to help you create a consistent and impactful Instagram feed when you share your art with the world.

Introduction to Commercial Food Photography

Module 6

With her heart in the kitchen and her eye on the camera, Karla Acosta transforms the everyday into a visual feast. Her vibrant and authentic style has won over brands like Nestlé, Samsung, and Vans, and now she shares her approach to creating commercial images that instantly whet the appetite. Learn to capture irresistible scenes and give your work that savory touch no one can ignore.

17 lessons (2h 19m)

Types of Photography: Specialization

Before getting started with the course content, I'll explain the types of food photography I understand. This way, you'll be able to better understand the type of photography I do and the course project.

Types of Photographers: Soloists and with Orchestra

With this analogy, I'll explain how and with whom you'll most likely work throughout your career as a food photographer.

Telling a Story

In this lesson, I'll tell you how I create a story when I don't have a brief or mood board to use when taking photos.

The Laws of Gestalt

Have you ever been taking a photo and suddenly someone tells you that those raspberries in the yogurt cup look like two eyes and a mouth? To explain these and other situations, I'll share some principles that will help you create your own art direction.

Funds

In this lesson, we'll start with the literal and figurative foundations of the stage. I'll also talk about the materials you can use as backdrops or bases.

The Props

Props, or accessories, are all the objects that will help you compose a scene. In this lesson, I'll talk about them and explain the clothing that food will wear in your photographs.

The Properties of Light

It's said that the best light for food photography is natural light. However, I believe it depends greatly on each photographer's workflow. Therefore, I'll talk about the main properties of light and how it affects objects.

Studio Lights

In this lesson, I'll share the type of lighting I use. I'll also offer an affordable alternative for your projects.

Camera and Optics

To begin this unit, I'll tell you about the main equipment I'll be using for the course project photographs.

Other Accessories

You'll see the other essential accessories for taking photographs. Remember that just because they're accessories doesn't mean they're less important, because without them you couldn't do the job as well.

First Photo: Overhead Shot 1

The overhead angle offers an all-powerful perspective. It allows us to see a scene and understand its entirety at a glance. It's typically used for flat-screen shots, but it's become more popular since the advent of social media. In this lesson, I'll show you how to take this type of photo.

First Photo: Overhead Shot 2

I'll continue teaching you how to take this type of photo. I'll also share some tips to help you take better photos.

17m

Second Photo: 45º

Now I'll show you how to take a 45º or ¾ angle photo, which is also known as diner view according to the story I created earlier.

Developed with Lightroom 1

In this lesson, I'll teach you how to develop your images in Lightroom so you can give them the finishing touches in Photoshop.

15m

Developed with Lightroom 2

During this second part of the lesson, I'll show you how to add the final details needed in Photoshop.

Revealed with Capture One 1

Now you will learn how to develop images in Capture One, my favorite digital development program.

20m

Revealed with Capture One 2

Now that the images are ready, it's time to show you how to finish them in Photoshop.

17m

Module 7

When a photograph makes you imagine the flavor, aroma, and texture of a dish, magic is in store. This is how the creators of Espacio Crudo work, an audiovisual studio that masters the art of transforming food into visual desire. Learn to light, conceptualize, and stylize your culinary scenes with intention and character, and create images that captivate from the first glance.

13 lessons (1h 44m)

Mom, where do the ideas come from?

In this lesson, we'll tell you where Crudo's ideas come from, how we arrive at them, and also some techniques for finding them because they don't always float in the air.

How do we count it?

Here you will see how the process of creating the visual concept is based on the ideas we achieved in the previous lesson.

Moodboard

It's one thing to be inspired, and another to copy. Why do we say this? Because in this lesson, we're going to work with images that aren't our own, find visual references, and create an aesthetic path. All we need to develop this lesson is to take the best of what we find and like to build something new.

With the idea in mind, we need to start putting it down to earth. What is the importance of sketches in our project? How does this process impact the subsequent steps? Does the final photo closely resemble the initial sketches? We'll answer all of these questions in this lesson.

Paint them!

What do you need for the photos?

In this lesson, we'll tell you what materials are needed to develop the course, from photography to art and food styling.

1 to 3. Base lighting scheme

The first step in starting our photography production is to set up the lighting scheme. This must be ready before art direction and food styling come in.

Make it real. Art direction

In this lesson, we'll assemble the sets we've already planned. Remember, this builds on the sketches we conceptualized a few units earlier. Let's begin organizing the sets for each of the photos.

The important thing is the outside

Now we'll begin the next step: food styling. We'll get each set ready for photography.

16m

6:00 am. Photo 1

For photo number one, we're going to recreate the light of dawn, that is, the cool, soft light we see when it's already light but the sun hasn't yet risen. In technical terms, the light we're going to develop is a cool, diffused light (5600k) with a 1:1 contrast. To achieve this lighting, we're going to use a basic lighting scheme: main light, fill light, and backlight.

8:00 am. Photo 2

For photo number two, we're going to recreate the morning light when the sun has already risen, but is not yet at its highest point (8:00 a.m.). This light is especially photogenic, as it has a warm temperature and produces shadows that aid composition. In technical terms, the light we're going to develop is a hard, warm light (5000ºk) with a 1:4 contrast.

10:00 am Photo 3

For photo 3, we'll set the time at 10 a.m. We'll recreate the intense, harsh light of midday. In this photo, we'll also look for a defined shadow, but this time it's less projected, meaning shorter, because at this time the sun is almost at its highest point.

Lettering and painting

Here we'll see the complete post-production process for the series, from developing to exporting the file to Instagram.