By Chuck R Stewart
With the falling economy, entertainment industries like restaurants need all the help they can get. Advertisement is a popular way to attract business, and what better way than to show your customers how appetizing the food looks. Food photography has proven to be an effective technique to promote any type of eating establishment. In addition, talented food photographers can be found worldwide, so getting the pictures is simple and it has a great impact. It's not only the food industry that has taken to product photography, however; almost every industry out there provides quality photographs as their main advertisement-and it never seems to fail them.
Advertising is a tricky-and expensive-business. People in the advertising business are spread all across the board, working in areas such as cultural study, planning and design, graphics and marketing. Many factors play into an advertisement, but studies show that without a doubt, sight is the most influenced sense when it comes to appeal. For this reason, product photography is a huge part of the advertising industry. Food photography is one of the most popular types of product photography, because it appeals strongly to the viewer's sense of taste.
Food photography is not a simple as some may think. Taking picture of food requires an artistic outlook of a mundane setting. For example, food can be found anywhere, but not all food is worth photographing. Artists look for a few things: color, texture and lighting. First, colors should be rich, not dull. Customers are more enthralled by fresh looking foods, not foods that look old and stale. Food photographers try to pick foods with rich natural color, like fruits and vegetables.
Next, texture is important for variety and excitement. Berries are popular because they have an interesting texture, as well as creative dishes like chocolate mousse. Mixing up textures makes the photograph more interesting, and more appetizing.
Finally, artists consider lighting in product photography. Light, sunny filtering makes viewers happy, often adding positive connotations to the advertisement.
If you enjoy photography and you think food is interesting, then a food photographer may be the career for you. Many art institutes offer courses on photography; some even have programs channeled specifically toward food. If not, another aspect of the advertising industry may suit you better. Either way, the advertising industry is always looking for new employees, as demands for advertisements continue to grow.
Photography is an important aspect of advertising and the photographers are highly regarded. Product photographers need a keen eye for detail and a meticulous attitude toward their subject. Not everyone is cut out for the job, but those who are tend to be talented.
If a job as a product photographer, or any other job in advertisement, interests you, there are many ways to get involved. Most colleges and universities offer courses and even majors in marketing and advertising, and many firms offer internships to give it a try. Advertising is a well rounded career-it allows the creative juices to flow while helping others, creating the ultimate reward.
Chuck R Stewart just recently spent time shadowing a food photographer in order to see if he wanted a career in food photography.
