Author Topic: Food Photography Handbook (Read 2630 times)

AM24 · « **on:** February 18, 2025, 15:48 »

Hi guys!

Well, I finally got around to writing a book, something I've been promising myself for the past few years. It's called, Delicious Photography, and it's available now from my website.

My target audience is actually food bloggers but from the feedback I have received, photographers have gained insight from it too, so I thought I would promote it here too.

Delicious Photography is in the form of a handbook, not a textbook, and includes chapters on Photography, Styling, Lighting, Editing and Marketing for food photography. It is a summary of my knowledge gained from 12 years in this industry plus more recently from selling food photography through a premium food photography agency, and what it takes to create images that stand out from the crowd. I also have a background in graphic design and business (marketing and accounting).

I launched it last week, selling only through my website at this stage. This is what I call a 'soft' launch because the book is a bit different from the typical photography books and I wanted to gage readers reactions before I put it up on Amazon, which will cost more there due to the size of the book (630 mb - lots of pictures!!). Its short (100 pages) and I designed it to be more like a magazine than a book. It's only available in eBook PDF format at this stage.

So, if you know any food bloggers or are interested in food photography, you can find it here:

https://milleflore.com/books

I also want to thank my dear friend, Steve Heap, who has been extremely supportive, helping me with understanding publishing, plus all his expert critiques along the way.

Cheers,
Annie

Big Money · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2025, 19:43 »

Having personally known Annie since 2011- I can say she is the real deal! Here setups are second to none (extremely detailed) and she has proven herself in this harsh business. I wish her best of success on this book that I am sure has a ton of knowledge and will make you hungry just looking at her food pics! Tom

stoker2014 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2025, 03:32 »

Annie, why do you keep changing your accounts? Who are you running and hiding from?

Obviously this is all because of me.

AM24 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2025, 04:14 »

Quote from: Big Money on February 18, 2025, 19:43

Having personally known Annie since 2011- I can say she is the real deal! Here setups are second to none (extremely detailed) and she has proven herself in this harsh business. I wish her best of success on this book that I am sure has a ton of knowledge and will make you hungry just looking at her food pics! Tom

Thank you so much, Tom. That is really sweet of you to say so. Cheers!

Big Money · « **Reply #4 on:** February 19, 2025, 09:01 »

Quote from: stoker2014 on February 19, 2025, 03:32

Annie, why do you keep changing your accounts? Who are you running and hiding from?

Obviously this is all because of me.

Oh, I've done the same. On joining the Fotolia Dollar Photo Club option (DPC) I was sent a death threat to me and my family and quit this site for a while. You have some colorful posts but don't threaten folks like some of the past ones did. They are gone now but I know who they are and keep my guard up. This business has been a bumpy ride for sure but overall there are many good folks here!

stoker2014 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 19, 2025, 11:21 »

Quote from: Big Money on February 19, 2025, 09:01

Quote from: stoker2014 on February 19, 2025, 03:32
Annie, why do you keep changing your accounts? Who are you running and hiding from?

Obviously this is all because of me.

Oh, I've done the same. On joining the Fotolia Dollar Photo Club option (DPC) I was sent a death threat to me and my family and quit this site for a while. You have some colorful posts but don't threaten folks like some of the past ones did. They are gone now but I know who they are and keep my guard up. This business has been a bumpy ride for sure but overall there are many good folks here!

What are you writing? There are no threats here. Annie used to write a lot about politics, but probably after reading my posts, she stopped participating in discussions and creates new accounts. She probably thinks that the topics I discuss are unsafe or very unpleasant for her. But maybe she is panicky afraid of the enemies of democracy.
$:-\$

AM24 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 19, 2025, 13:41 »

Heavens above. And this has all got to do with food photography, how?

A big thanks to the wonderful person who has just bought my book. Please let me know what you think of the different format. Is it easier to absorb all the information?

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #7 on:** February 19, 2025, 14:40 »

Quote from: AM24 on February 19, 2025, 13:41

Heavens above. And this has all got to do with food photography, how?

A big thanks to the wonderful person who has just bought my book. Please let me know what you think of the different format. Is it easier to absorb all the information?

Good luck with the book, I second the compliments and the history of your photo and design advice.

AM24 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 19, 2025, 15:05 »

I just want to add that if you are downloading the Free Printables file that I have in my shop. That's OK. But please remember that these are just worksheets and a few 'quick tip' pages straight out of the book, that I wanted to give readers to print out separately if they need them - and they may not make a lot of sense on their own if you haven't read the book.

Anyway, enjoy!

stoker2014 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 20, 2025, 05:22 »

Sell your book on Amazon, I read it sells well there.

AM24 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2025, 06:28 »

Quote from: stoker2014 on February 20, 2025, 05:22

Sell your book on Amazon, I read it sells well there.

There's a problem with the size of the book and Amazon's royalty structure that I have to work through, Stoke.

Amazon has 2 different royalty plans for authors. One pays 35% and the other 70% royalty. Both have different book price ranges. For example, if you want to receive 70% royalty, you have to price your book between $2.99 and $9.99 - BUT books over a certain file size are charged with extraordinarily high 'download' fees. My book, because of all the photography is 630mb. I would end up paying them because of these excessive fees.

So, I would be forced to accept the 35% royalty, but you cannot price your book between $2.99 and $9.99 on this plan. I would have to go higher, or lower, plus receive half the royalty.

Also, if I try to sell my book via my website (at its current price of $9.95) and Amazon finds out, they can get pretty narky. So, I would have to sell at their price, not mine.

Yes, I would get more direct traffic on Amazon, but I have to think through all the pricing to arrive at the best solution. I really don't want to sell my book higher than $9.95 USD. Also, I currently sell through Payhip, a UK firm with a good reputation for providing shop fronts and lots of great data and I pleased with their service - plus they only take out 5% per sale.

So, its a bit of dilemma at the moment, which I will have to work through. At the moment, I just want to see if my type of book is appealing to readers. If not, then the other option is to forget about my current format and just write a normal how-to text book, which is not really my plan.

This is what I wrote in the beginning of my book. Hopefully it explains why my book is different:

"Because I specialize in visuals, I wanted to make this book as visually exciting as possible. This is not your typical how-to textbook. As I explain later, people remember visuals more than text.

I studied various training techniques as part of my former business career. It was here that I discovered a whole new world of exciting ways to teach. One of the newest methods was to incorporate the use of visuals, together with key issues, over just text and data. Research has found that this method greatly increases our capacity to learn, problem-solve and create. It compacts the time necessary for students to absorb and understand information by means of a very practical application. It allows students to reach their goals faster and is a more enjoyable way to learn.

A handbook is a wonderful tool for this type of learning by shortening the length of time students need to absorb information and to provide them with a ready reference manual rather than wading through volumes of text. They are compact practical guides with easily accessible information.

Ultimately, I want you to have fun with this book. Use it to enhance your imagination and creativity because that is what this format is all about."

AM24 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2025, 06:34 »

Explanation of Amazon's royalty plans, for any prospective book writers:

https://www.authorimprints.com/kindle-ebook-royalties-70-vs-35-and-6-essential-things-you-need-to-know/

stoker2014 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2025, 06:48 »

Quote from: AM24 on February 20, 2025, 06:28

My book, because of all the photography is 630mb.

Yes, you know what you're doing.
630mb is good for printing on good paper and selling the book in paper form.
It may also be interesting for those who want to read the book on a tablet or PC. But perhaps in this case the book size can be reduced to 50mb.
Many people read e-books, they read them in fb2 or mobi format. Such books do not weigh many mb, and the photos look black and white, but this is probably not your option.

stoker2014 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2025, 06:55 »

The book can also be sold on Facebook and Instagram. It can be sold not only in electronic form, but also in printed form, if there are buyers.
Many Ukrainian authors do not contact publishers, but collect orders themselves through Facebook and Instagram, and print their books themselves in printing houses, after which they send the books to buyers by mail.

AM24 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 20, 2025, 07:09 »

Thank you Stoke!

You are being very kind and helpful - plus you have a lot of technical knowledge. (You should be like this, more often

)

Big Money · « **Reply #15 on:** February 20, 2025, 14:18 »

Just did a quick skim on Annie's book and I love the visuals! My biggest complaint of many restaurants is lack of images of their food items in their menus.

I will be showing my age but I like the story board templates and what each color means! Within minutes I learned that I am over lighting my food pics thus making them look like plastic.

Also all the folks comments on this string have been very positive and helpful- you all have great talent and will to help others.

Off to try new tip from you book on some fine salmon salmon. Thanks Annie!

AM24 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 20, 2025, 14:42 »

Quote from: Big Money on February 20, 2025, 14:18

Just did a quick skim on Annie's book and I love the visuals! My biggest complaint of many restaurants is lack of images of their food items in their menus.

I will be showing my age but I like the story board templates and what each color means! Within minutes I learned that I am over lighting my food pics thus making them look like plastic.

Also all the folks comments on this string have been very positive and helpful- you all have great talent and will to help others.

Off to try new tip from you book on some fine salmon salmon. Thanks Annie!

Thank you Tom!!

Are you using natural light?

When I was first accepted by The Picture Pantry, I changed over from studio lighting to natural light because I knew the premium food photography industry prefers natural light. And now when I compare my old stock photos to my new ones, there is such a huge difference. Of course, working with natural light has a lot of challenges, but I found it was worth every moment of my time learning and exploring this new dimension.

Good luck! I can't wait to see the salmon!

Big Money · « **Reply #17 on:** February 20, 2025, 21:10 »

Quote from: AM24 on February 20, 2025, 14:42

Quote from: Big Money on February 20, 2025, 14:18
Just did a quick skim on Annie's book and I love the visuals! My biggest complaint of many restaurants is lack of images of their food items in their menus.

I will be showing my age but I like the story board templates and what each color means! Within minutes I learned that I am over lighting my food pics thus making them look like plastic.

Also all the folks comments on this string have been very positive and helpful- you all have great talent and will to help others.

Off to try new tip from you book on some fine salmon salmon. Thanks Annie!

Thank you Tom!!

Are you using natural light?

When I was first accepted by The Picture Pantry, I changed over from studio lighting to natural light because I knew the premium food photography industry prefers natural light. And now when I compare my old stock photos to my new ones, there is such a huge difference. Of course, working with natural light has a lot of challenges, but I found it was worth every moment of my time learning and exploring this new dimension.

Good luck! I can't wait to see the salmon!

My first round--used lighting from large windows and one white board to splash a little bit on the back part of the image.

AM24 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 20, 2025, 23:24 »

Quote from: Big Money on February 20, 2025, 21:10

Quote from: AM24 on February 20, 2025, 14:42
Quote from: Big Money on February 20, 2025, 14:18
Just did a quick skim on Annie's book and I love the visuals! My biggest complaint of many restaurants is lack of images of their food items in their menus.

I will be showing my age but I like the story board templates and what each color means! Within minutes I learned that I am over lighting my food pics thus making them look like plastic.

Also all the folks comments on this string have been very positive and helpful- you all have great talent and will to help others.

Off to try new tip from you book on some fine salmon salmon. Thanks Annie!

Thank you Tom!!

Are you using natural light?

When I was first accepted by The Picture Pantry, I changed over from studio lighting to natural light because I knew the premium food photography industry prefers natural light. And now when I compare my old stock photos to my new ones, there is such a huge difference. Of course, working with natural light has a lot of challenges, but I found it was worth every moment of my time learning and exploring this new dimension.

Good luck! I can't wait to see the salmon!

My first round--used lighting from large windows and one white board to splash a little bit on the back part of the image.

That is one very delicious piece of salmon!! And I love the color of the dish you served it on. It complements the fish perfectly.

I took the liberty of making a few changes to show you how to really hone in on that scrumptious salmon. First of all, your lighter background distracts too much from the meal, so I replaced it with a darker wood background. I didn't realise just how great that piece of fish was until I started playing around with the edit. There are so many incredible textures that make it look superbly delicious. That's what you need to do - focus on what it is about the food that makes it look delicious.

I think you had too much ambient light in the frame. I wouldn't have bothered with the white board. As I mentioned in the book, the lighting aesthetic needs to match the food. Choose which direction of light works best. Here I would have just side lighting coming in slightly in front of the salmon - once again to pick up those gorgeous textures. In my quick adaptation, I increased highlights to demonstrate that. (Click on my photo to see what I mean). I am guessing you haven't got to the section on Editing yet, but you can enhance a lot with some very minor adjustments. (I didn't add saturation or anything else except increase highlights)

Backgrounds, props, plates and light should complement the food and not distract from it. Textures, highlights and shadows are what makes food look authentic, 3-dimensional and delicious. The basics of what you photographed is all there, though. All you needed was some tweaks.

Big Money · « **Reply #19 on:** February 21, 2025, 07:43 »

wow! Thank you Annie! Amazing! Thanks

Tom

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #20 on:** February 21, 2025, 11:39 »

Quote from: Big Money on February 21, 2025, 07:43

wow! Thank you Annie! Amazing! Thanks

Tom

Everyone who knows anything, knows you never serve food or take food photos, on a BLUE PLATE!

For everyone else, who doesn't understand that, it's a running joke that's been going on for over ten years. And we also know, that the best food photos, are made on polka dot plates!

AM24 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 21, 2025, 12:12 »

Quote from: Uncle Pete on February 21, 2025, 11:39

Quote from: Big Money on February 21, 2025, 07:43
wow! Thank you Annie! Amazing! Thanks

Tom

Everyone who knows anything, knows you never serve food or take food photos, on a BLUE PLATE! For everyone else, who doesn't understand that, it's a running joke that's been going on for over ten years. And we also know, that the best food photos, are made on polka dot plates!

hahahahaha - omg, I almost forgot about that!

I better explain so that Tom doesn't throw out his plates. Years ago, yes over 10 yrs as Pete said, we used to have a food competition on the old SS forum. We would pick a topic, for example, 'raw food' and anyone who wanted to participate would go away and shoot raw food that week, and the most innovative photo was the winner, and the winner would pick the next week's topic. That thread went for a long time. A few fights but not too many, considering it was a competition. A lot of people joined in along the way.

There was a guy called Barry who would shoot all his food on these awful plastic blue plates, which Pete said turned him off his food - but I think that's all Barry had. lol. As for polka dots - I have an old dinner setting of different colour polka dot plates. I love quirkiness. I used to shoot red food on red polka dot plates, green food on green polka dot, etc. I still do sometimes.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #22 on:** February 21, 2025, 13:02 »

Quote from: AM24 on February 21, 2025, 12:12

Quote from: Uncle Pete on February 21, 2025, 11:39
Quote from: Big Money on February 21, 2025, 07:43
wow! Thank you Annie! Amazing! Thanks

Tom

Everyone who knows anything, knows you never serve food or take food photos, on a BLUE PLATE! For everyone else, who doesn't understand that, it's a running joke that's been going on for over ten years. And we also know, that the best food photos, are made on polka dot plates!

hahahahaha - omg, I almost forgot about that!

I better explain so that Tom doesn't throw out his plates. Years ago, yes over 10 yrs as Pete said, we used to have a food competition on the old SS forum. We would pick a topic, for example, 'raw food' and anyone who wanted to participate would go away and shoot raw food that week, and the most innovative photo was the winner, and the winner would pick the next week's topic. That thread went for a long time. A few fights but not too many, considering it was a competition. A lot of people joined in along the way.

There was a guy called Barry who would shoot all his food on these awful plastic blue plates, which Pete said turned him off his food - but I think that's all Barry had. lol. As for polka dots - I have an old dinner setting of different colour polka dot plates. I love quirkiness. I used to shoot red food on red polka dot plates, green food on green polka dot, etc. I still do sometimes.

I don't know if they were awful old blue plates, but eggs for breakfast on a nasty blue plate? At least you guys have some taste in colors. I have generic, kind of white, restaurant and cafeteria plates, so I won't get rejected for the pattern being trademarked. Boring! And I can't defend baked cod dinner, isolated on black. But that's the color of the table top at the hotel.

While you wrote the how to book, I could write the how NOT to, from experience and using my own images. I think the positives and how to do things right, is a better approach.

This is my kind of blue...

AM24 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 21, 2025, 14:46 »

Quote from: Uncle Pete on February 21, 2025, 13:02

Quote from: AM24 on February 21, 2025, 12:12
Quote from: Uncle Pete on February 21, 2025, 11:39
Quote from: Big Money on February 21, 2025, 07:43
wow! Thank you Annie! Amazing! Thanks

Tom

Everyone who knows anything, knows you never serve food or take food photos, on a BLUE PLATE! For everyone else, who doesn't understand that, it's a running joke that's been going on for over ten years. And we also know, that the best food photos, are made on polka dot plates!

hahahahaha - omg, I almost forgot about that!

I better explain so that Tom doesn't throw out his plates. Years ago, yes over 10 yrs as Pete said, we used to have a food competition on the old SS forum. We would pick a topic, for example, 'raw food' and anyone who wanted to participate would go away and shoot raw food that week, and the most innovative photo was the winner, and the winner would pick the next week's topic. That thread went for a long time. A few fights but not too many, considering it was a competition. A lot of people joined in along the way.

There was a guy called Barry who would shoot all his food on these awful plastic blue plates, which Pete said turned him off his food - but I think that's all Barry had. lol. As for polka dots - I have an old dinner setting of different colour polka dot plates. I love quirkiness. I used to shoot red food on red polka dot plates, green food on green polka dot, etc. I still do sometimes.

I don't know if they were awful old blue plates, but eggs for breakfast on a nasty blue plate? At least you guys have some taste in colors. I have generic, kind of white, restaurant and cafeteria plates, so I won't get rejected for the pattern being trademarked. Boring! And I can't defend baked cod dinner, isolated on black. But that's the color of the table top at the hotel.

While you wrote the how to book, I could write the how NOT to, from experience and using my own images. I think the positives and how to do things right, is a better approach.

This is my kind of blue...

I love blue cheese and it photographs really beautifully. The only thing wrong with your photo, Pete, is the background. The two-tone is too distracting. But a full black background would have been too flat. It's good to have some texture in your backgrounds too sometimes.

Getting the right background is 50% of what makes a good photo. As you know I used to go to salvage places and get a lot of things there. Like those old wooden large trays that I painted and distressed. Or get some sample vinyl floor tiles. I still use the dark slate ones.

Here is a page I left out of the book because it was getting too large. The background of my black forest trifle in the champagne glass are those dark slate vinyl tiles. Used just 4 - 2 behind and 2 on the base.

Oh, and there are my polka dot cups and saucers !!

AM24 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 21, 2025, 15:10 »

Anyway, I have to go now. If anyone would like to join me on Instagram, that would be great! I have lots of tips and tricks there.

Cheers,
Annie

https://www.instagram.com/millefloredesigns/

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