Also see: Our Food Styling & Photography Workshop in Delhi on May 30th, 2015
Dear readers we are happy to present today an interview with Deeba Rajpal, who is Passionate about Baking, is a well known food stylist and photographer, she shares her recipes with food styling and photography tips on her immensely popular blog: Passionate about Baking.
We met her recently at her to pick her brains to learn more about food styling and photography. She kindly agreed for an interview and share some of her tips about food photography.
Q1. Deeba thanks for taking time out and interacting with Darter Photography. Please do share how your journey in the world of Baking and photography started.
Deeba: Thank you so much for having me over. It is an honor to share this space. My journey into baking began quite early, when I was still in school. I picked up the threads after I left my job to bring up the kids.
Blogging was a means to document my recipes online as I tripped onto a few blogs while surfing the net in 2007. A new digital camera meant that the hobby was free, and time I had plenty.
Q2. Did the blog came first or did the baking came first ?
Deeba: Baking had always been there, and the blog was a nice ‘new mouth to feed’. It gave me the motivation to experiment, push beyond the boundaries of a cake, cookies and brownies. I had to have variety.
The blog also allowed me a screen to see my own images online. It was a very intimidating experience at first, the very thought that my poor photography was visible to anyone and everyone. There were some amazing food blogs out there. The first time I saw them, I couldn’t believe that those images had been shot by normal people like you and me. I gently began styling a little. I had been truly bitten by the bug!
Q3. Most difficult food to style in your opinion and how to make sure it looks good in pictures.
Deeba: Anything with chocolate is quite difficult to shoot and you have to get the complimentary colors right. I find it quite challenging at times, and often take 200-300 images in different settings, angles etc to get a good feel. It might seem like a lot of work, but if you enjoy it, you will not feel the pinch.
If it is something like simple brownies, I try and play with light and props. If it is dessert, then I make sure the garnish adds the pop to draw the eye.
I love adding fruit like strawberries or tangerines to the frame.
Q4. Now a days it is mandatory to post pictures of your food when eating out. Any tips for those who click pictures of their food in restaurants ?
Deeba: I think it is basic courtesy, especially if you are fine dining, to check with the staff first if they are OK with images being taken, {this especially if you are carrying a DSLR}.
No flash please as it is distracting to other patrons, and importantly makes the food look very unappetizing! Be discreet. On the positive side, frame your pictures well, give the camera time to adjust to light and focus, shoot with minimal cropping required.
Make a gallery on social media – Pinterest, FB, Instagram, whatever works. You will be surprised at the number of food passionate folk out there, as also the number who appreciate & enjoy a good food shot!
Q5 . If you were to share your top 5 tips with our readers what would those be.
Deeba: I think my top 5 tips for food styling and photography will be
- Develop an eye for detail.
- Let the food shine. It’s the star of your shot, make sure it stays in focus.
- Keep the frame simple and uncluttered.
- Use basic neutral props to begin with; build your own style gradually.
- Have some garnish on hand, something edible and ideally an element from the dish.
Team Darter:Thanks a lot Deeba for your time and sharing your secrets and tips for food styling and photography with our readers.
To learn more about Food Styling and Photography join Deeba Rajpal in our Food Styling & Photography Workshop in Delhi on May 30th, 2015
Do check her blog Passionate About Baking for more awesome food styling and photography tips.