Loving food doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re good at photographing it.
Folk tend to fall into three categories when in comes to their ideas for snapping their snap. The first are those who don’t really care what it looks like. Ironically think of those photos you see on the menus on the Spanish sea front which are meant to entice you in but do anything but, or your Mum taking a pic of her dinner to show your brother.
The second are those, like me, who know what they want to achieve in the photo but don’t quite know how to achieve it, so manage to get something resembling almost appetising after being moaned at by those with me to hurry up because they want to eat their dinner.
The third produce those mouth watering images that make you hungry, make you want to buy and eat that product and, if you’re lucky, they try to teach others, like me, how to do the same.
Now, as you can imagine, I’ve seen a lot of food photographs in my time and tried to photograph lots of dishes to the best of my ability with hit and miss results. So don’t be surprised to learn that last weekend I attended a food photography course at The School of Artisan Food, led by leading food photographer Victoria Harley.
Bought up in a foodie household, after completing a Masters in Photography, she began to combine her love for food and design with her photographic training.
Her clients now include: Nourish Books, Jacqui Small Books, The FT, Country Homes and Interiors, Simple Things, Gilchesters Organics and Ham and Friends.
So, let me tell you more about the day. The course is aimed at you, the amateur food photographer, the person setting up their food business, the blogger wanting to up their game, it’s not technical or unattainable. It’s accessible and down to earth. So if you are looking to improve your basic food photography, then this half day course is perfect for you.
Furthermore, if you love a hands on approach and putting what you learn into practice, you’ll love this. It’s very hands on. You are given a work book but don’t expect to spend hours sitting at a desk being taught. You’re soon up and in the grounds of the school gathering inspiration and creating your own images. Time is divided between concise and useful presentation sessions, and interactive, creative time where you are left to your own devices to wander round and play with food to create images relating to your own personal project. The course leader is always on hand for technical and creative advice.
The Venue
Based in the heart of Sherwood Forest on the Welbeck Estate in North Nottinghamshire, the he School exists to teach all aspects of artisan food production and is the perfect setting for this course. The school is housed in the former fire stables, dating back to 1870. Newly refurbished training rooms are specially equipped for the teaching of bread making, cheese making, brewing, butchery, charcuteries and preserving, so as you can imagine, the produce and accessories on offer for you to photograph is endless. They also grow their own vegetables and so the serene garden offers further opportunities for the budding photographer and a great space to find inspiration and discover your creativity.
The school exists to teach all aspects of artisan food production. It offers a unique opportunity for people of all skill levels to expand their knowledge through a wide range of short courses and a full time advanced diploma in artisan baking.
The school has an outstanding reputation for the quality of training it provides with courses being taught by some of the most skilled and experienced artisan practitioners in the UK, Europe and beyond.
The People
You’re likely to meet folks similar to yourself just wanting to improve their skills. The course is suitable for all ages and the school has disabled access. You can spend all morning playing with settings, accessories and lighting as well as different angles and ways to shoot your food with fellow togs. Basically you’re all after the same end result – better photos.
The Food
GET THERE EARLY! The food alone is worth going on a course for. As you would expect from a school of artisan food, the meals provided are not only delicious but healthy. Included in the price of the course is a buffet style breakfast with fresh bread made on site, homemade granola, chocolate brownie plus tea and coffee. Lunch is also included. Menus may vary but again it is buffet style with a range of hot and cold salads, roast vegetables, houmous, cheeses and breads.
Your Knowledge
So what will you learn? It depends what you already know. The course can really only scratch the surface in the time available but that also means its accessible for all . I have been on other photography courses but still need to instil certain practices to my brain when photographing so it is a good refresher if you’re in a similar situation, the course cemented my ideas on colours, layouts and lighting and taught me how to look at things differently to bring the photographs to life.
The Goodie Bag
You’ll come away with a School of Artisan Food Bag and a booklet containing your photography checklist which reiterates the advice learnt of the course; notes on tone and style, composition, angle, colour, visualisation, light source.
Happy snapping.
Words & photos by Tanya Louise
Editor
@tanyalouise_
