Homework 1: Why Food Photography

Taking pictures of food has become a big part of the photography field. Nowadays, people take pictures of their meals to express creativity and showcase their personal vision of the subject. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin’s statement “Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are” clearly reflects that different people from different cultures see and eat food differently. Food photography is significant in sharing and introducing people to new venues and cuisines. It reveals to what, when and how we eat. By photographing food with our cameras we represent our traditions and customs to other countries around the globe. It is also a great way to introduce your family and friends to places around. In fact, we all go online to check out all different places before we go out to eat. We like to see the restaurant’s dishes, interior and decor through other people’s photos first. Food photography also plays a huge role in advertising for the restaurants. It is all about the first impression that a customer gets and having good pictures can make a big difference for IMG_7381the business. The phrase, “People eat with their eyes”, is very relevant. Most people like to see the photograph of the dish before they order so they know exactly what they are getting, and for those from different culture who are not familiar with the cuisine it is even more important. I take pictures of food myself. I personally enjoy the art of food photography because I truly believe that it is a powerful language that speaks to people’s taste receptors and emotions.  It allows me to tell my story and show others my own view on food culture.IMG_9091IMG_8268

Ahmet Degirmenci Food & Photography

I think taking a photograph of the food is a big art. It has showed everybody’s daily life and culture over the years. While the time goes quickly, your need would change as well. People’s need keep changing all the time, so it is always better to taking photographs what was your culture and what it is now. Food plays a big role in cultures. All these photographs will present us in the future. After centuries people will look at the photographs of our food culture and will try to understand how was our eating habits, how healthy we were and how creative we were. Same for us, now we look at the photographs of the food last 50-100 years and figuring out how was their food culture, what was the food like, photographing the food was an art? Photographing the food is an art, just like the producing and presenting the food. I believe who ever takes a photograph of the food, is creating a documentary for future, without knowing it.

Ahmet D.

Homework #1: Photographing Food

My Usual: Tony Clifton pizza at Two Boots

My Usual: Tony Clifton pizza at Two Boots

What do you think of the prevalent practice of taking pictures of food. Read the NYT article “First Camera, Then Fork” on people who take pictures of food and then display them online. Taking pictures of food is so common nowadays that the comedian Adam Sacks produced a spoof commercial when the iPhone 5 was released that highlighted food photography. There are numerous tumblr and flickr groups dedicated to food like the flickr “I Ate This.”

Read the “First Camera, Then Fork” NYT article here.

Watch a parody ad of the “iPhone 5” for Food Photography

Share what you think about taking pictures of food, you may post an image if you wish. Also, don’t forget to tag your post.

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PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR POSTS BY MONDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2015. Extended to 9/21 due to upcoming holiday closures.