Learning Food Photography - Part 2

In Learning Food Photography - Part 1, I reviewed all the books in print (and a couple out-of-print) that cover photographing food and styling food for photography. [Click here if you would like to read that article first.] Being visual creatures, most photographers learn better by doing and hearing rather than by reading. So, in this installment, Part 2, I’ll cover a range of workshops, seminars and conferences on food photography. I’ll also run through a handful of professional associations for food photographers and stylists. In Part 3, I run through a number of food blogs, online resources (including some great YouTube videos on food photography) and sources of supplies for food shooters and stylists.

Workshops / Seminars / Conferences on Food Photography:

International Conference on Food Styling & Photography
June 13 - 15, 2009 / Boston University
This biennial event will be held again at Boston University. It is only conference created solely for food photographers and stylists. Attending the 3-day event is a great way to meet stylists and photographers from around the globe. If you are serious about your craft as a food shooter, consider this a must-do. For details on the 2009 conference, click here to be put on their mailing list. To read about the inaugural conference in 2007, click here.

Lou Manna is a Manhattan-based food photographer. He literally wrote the book on ‘Digital Food Photography‘. Every other month or so, Lou teaches a one-day workshop in his studio. Tuition is a very reasonable $250. Scott Kelby, over on Photoshop Insider, wrote an extensive (and glowing) review about his experience in Lou’s workshop. Check out the “Workshops” tab on Lou’s blog for upcoming dates. To sign up for the September 14 workshop, click here. To sign up for the November 9 workshop, click here.

Photoshop World is the bi-coastal, semiannual, 4-day extravaganza of all things Photoshop. Organized by NAPP, Photoshop World happens right after Labor Day in Las Vegas and somewhere on the east coast during the spring.  A perennial favorite is the Lighting For Food Photography session led by Joe Glyda (Friday, September 5, 12:00-1:00pm). For Joe’s bio, click here.

Associations For Food Photographers and Stylists:

The International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) has more than 3,000 members spread across 45 countries. The IACP has a professional interest section for food photographers and stylists that coordinates the seminar content on photography/styling for the annual IACP conference. Joining as a member and attending the conference is a great way to meet other food photographers.

The American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) is the organization that everyone who earns money with their camera should join. ASMP has nearly 40 local chapters around the country and a number of special interest groups - including a small, but growing, group of food photographers. The group hosts a Yahoo! forum that is open to anyone interested in food photography. If you are new to food photography, a shout out on the forum is a good way to locate photographers and stylists in your region.

The Culinary Institute of America is the matriarch of culinary education in America. Based in Hyde Park, New York, CIA has branch locations in Napa Valley and San Antionio. Although CIA does not provide education on food photography directly, it is a valuable resource for education and inspiration about food. Their free, daily e-newsletter is a great way to stay up on ideas and issues in the food industry.

DVD:

Photographing Food As Art - Bigelow
This is a quasi-documentary shot near the end of the three-year collaboration between chef Jean-Louis Palladin and photographer Fred Maroon… some 20+ years ago. The result of their collaboration was
published in 1989 as “Jean-Louis - Cooking With The Seasons” - a coffee table book of highly-style food. I wrote a detailed review on Amazon. The bottom line is that the DVD has limited value when measured by today’s standards.

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