Food Photography: Pro Secrets for Styling, Lighting & Shooting [Paperback]

Lara Ferroni (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 6, 2012

Top blogger and pro photographer Lara Ferroni serves up a one-stop guide to food-photography success! Packed with her tried-and-true secrets, this comprehensive guide details everything you need to know about sourcing and styling food, drinks, and props. Ferroni profiles several of the industry's top professional food photographers, and includes detailed case studies of their most successful shots--complete with lighting diagrams and equipment setups. This diverse collection of stunning images images and easy-to-follow shooting instructions perfectly encompasses the field of modern food photography, covering everything from blog and editorial photography to corporate advertising and publicity shots.

 

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lara Ferroni is a successful Seattle-based food photographer and acclaimed food-photography workshop leader. Lara's work has been featured on blogs such as Design*Sponge and ThePictureKitchen.com. Her extensive list of professional clients includes Epicurious.com, Gourmet.com, Imbibe Magazine, Katia's Chocolates, Herbco International, and Seattle Coffee Works, to name a few. Lara's photos have appeared in the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. She is also the author of the recipe book Doughnuts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Pixiq (March 6, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 145470408X
• ISBN-13: 978-1454704089
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #244,466 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Lifestyle & Events

More About the Author

I didn't really mean to become a photographer. But with the first photo that I took of a batch of homemade raspberry scones, I knew I was a goner. My family quickly learned to ask first before digging in with their forks as I became completely snap-happy around any kind of food. Family vacations were hijacked to make special trips to particularly photogenic markets or restaurants.

Luckily for me, and my family, this passion quickly turned into something a bit more useful... beautiful images of food, travel and life for editorial publications and advertising.

And then, I didn't really mean to become a cookbook author. But photos led to recipes led to this crazy notion that the world needed a cookbook dedicated to doughnuts!

I hope you enjoy!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Reevaluated and feel it's great for beginners February 15, 2012

By Debbi Smirnoff

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a basic beginner book. Looking at Lara's beautiful blog, I expected more from the book. There were lot's of pretty pictures and not one setup shot! There are sketched setups in the back of the book with various other food photographers (not Lara)

She covers basic food photography lens, tripod, cameras. She shares some stylist info, but there are better food photogrsphy books out there with way more info, like Food Photography by Nicole Young or Plate to Pixel by Helene Dujardin.
Save yourself some money and skip this book by Lara.
One year later:
That was my initial review, but after llighting for a year I see there is no ' one size fits all' lighting setup. This s a wonderful book for beginners and the diagrams in the back are very helpful starting points

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Okay on Style, Short on Information. March 12, 2012

By Nash Black VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Lara Ferroni's FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY is a blanket survey of a growing industry. A reader looking for information on formal and informal aspects of food photography will not find it in this volume.
The information on the tools of photography, lighting, etc. is lacking in depth, and though interesting, the photo-essays of practitioners of the art provide little information as to their techniques or composition of their work.
Very few, if any secrets in this volume that are not covered in other works in this field.
Nash Black, author of SANDPRINTS OF DEATH

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Here's a Secret - DON'T BUY THIS BOOK December 25, 2012

By Robert L. Deville

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

There is great food shots in this book, and there are some very basic set-ups. But as far a secrets; there aren't any. The only thing I learned from this book is that I already knew everything in it.

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the book I was expecting April 14, 2013

By Michael Long

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

It's interesting in showing what the big guys are doing with their photo's. But as far as styling techniques, very weak on that.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, not for beginners April 8, 2013

By michelle deiter

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Lara gets right to the point. This is not for the beginner photographer. This book is for those who know how to use their camera, and want to move right along. Her sets and explanations are excellent. Lara also features other professional food photographers, and the different mediums they work with. ie: blog, cookbooks, advertisement, magazine.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A practical guide for any food photographer March 1, 2012

By Arantzazu Goyoaga

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Lara's book is a great resource for anyone interested in learning about all aspects of food photography. Everything from camera settings, lighting, composition, food and prop styling, post processing, to business practices of a food photographer. Lara also identifies the different kinds of food photography, each with its challenges and characteristics. The later part of the book is dedicated to real case studies with professional food photographers. This is my favorite part of the book as we get to see how different individuals set up their shots, their gear, how they approach lighting and how they actually shoot. What I really liked about this book is that it gives us insight into the creative aspects of food photography as well as the technical ones. Plus it is easy to read and full of beautiful images. Definitely on my handy-book shelf.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Consise February 17, 2012

By Michael G. Sage

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Lara did a excellent job writing a book on the industry of food photography not a one person perspective.
She does cover the "nuts & bolts" of the trade but also includes case studies of real jobs from other food photographers and stylist.