Digital Food Photography

I hate to say that I was disappointed with this book, but I was. As a photographer, I was looking for a book that really got into the nitty gritty of photographing food - the equipment, the lighting, the preparation, the thought processes of the photographer as he chose angles and shots and props and lights. With the exception of a few chapters (Chs 4, 5, and especially 6, which was a fantastic chapter for showing the thought process of getting the final shot), the book focuses almost entirely on the business of being/becoming a food photographer.If you're completely new in the business end of photography and looking to make a career of it, I can see how this book would be useful to you, which is why I gave it 3 stars instead of fewer. It takes you through the process of choosing equipment, working with editors and art directors, choosing and working with stylists, back end office and image management, getting work, copyright issues, and even touches on PhotoShop techniques.From a photography standpoint, however, I was disappointed. Out of 300 pages, only 35 of them were devoted to lighting food - and the first 13 of those went back to the extreme basics of shutter speed, aperture, and metering that any photographer with basic skills should already know.And while Ch 4, on working with food stylists and the tips of the trade, was interesting, I really was hoping for more tips on learning to shoot real food, rather than learning how to substitute glue for milk in a cereal shot, or how to make fake fruit pie with mashed potatoes, or how to add soapsuds to coffee.I also think that the book tries to be an all purpose "for everybody" book. As a result, it's too basic for anyone who has a decent photography background. There is too much time spent on basic photography skills and on choosing your basic equipment (camera body, lenses, and encouraging photographers to move past their pop-up flash). These are things that can and should be learned elsewhere, instead of trying to cram Photography 101 into a book about a specialty field of photography.The images in the book are stunning, as Lou Manna's images always are. I just wish there had been more information about how those images were achieved, and less about the business of food photography.

I recently upgraded my digital camera from a Canon A70 3.2 MP point and shoot camera to an Olympus E-500 digital SLR. Doing so has allowed me to break the bounds of my previous limited photographic equipment.I wanted to do some serious still life and food photography but didn't know where to begin. I checked out dozens of online resources and books in the library. This book was the perfect choice.Finally, in one place I had great lessons on lighting, composition, and depth of field. Finally, I had a straightforward lesson on using Photoshop to retouch digital photographs.But, the icing on the cake, so to speak, is the step by step (and photo by photo) examples of different food photography assignments and what was needed to be done to make the perfect shot.In addition, the book includes secrets of food stylists, proven ways to get that perfect shot of cornflakes or ice cream or even a steaming cup of Java.Rounding up this recipe for success are great tips on digital photo management, and markets and marketing for the digital food photographer.Lou really did a great job and you can really learn how to take incredible pictures of food -- if you've got the creative vision, this book will help you realize that vision and create that lip-smacking, dream photo of a gooey dessert or vegetables as art.

Although this is touted as being one of the better books on food photography available, I didn't find it to be all that informative until I got towards the end. The section about how to edit images of food in Adobe Photoshop was interesting, and I often refer to that section when I choose to edit the pictures of my food (I rarely do so, though).In my opinion, readers are better off learning solid fundamentals in the craft of photography. These fundamentals will help young photographers in many diverse situations, not just when dealing with food. Better pictures of your food will follow once you understand that a good picture of a plate of fruit is more like a good portrait picture than it isn't, if you get what I'm saying.So long as you understand the principles of good lighting (read  Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting  for more information), understand why you want to use fill lighting or reflectors for your shadow detail, you can produce some pretty amazing pictures without this book. You might not be as good as Lou Manna, but this book won't make you as good as him either. Just keep practicing your craft and you'll get there one day.This book also contains a section about starting your own business doing food photography for those who are interested in getting into the industry. Again, I found this mildly informative at best, but others might disagree.

After making a few attempts at food and product photography, I begin to appreciate the effort and techniques required for this type of work. Lou Manna's book would have been a great help if I've had it earlier. Nonetheless, it's a great help and I've learnt much from it. Packed with photography tips and key 'secrets' on how other items are substituted or made into food is invaluable. I only wished there were more pages on that rather than the business aspect since the title gives the impression it's all about food photography. Fewer pages devoted to the basic digital camera technology and how to run a photo business would have me giving it a higher rating.

I bought the book on the recommendation of Scott Kelby who went on with of his courses in New York. That recommendation is enough for me (I have most of Scott's books and went to 2 of his seminars in London). The book is a little out of date and not particularly relevant when talking about equipment to use and software. However, Lou Manna shares some of the secrets of how to get good photos (and not always using the genuine item). These tips alone make the book worth buying. I am still looking for another book to complement that knowledge. It wasn't quite as comprehensive as I would have liked but then I suppose that there is not a book out there that tells you everything that you need to know about food photography - or is there?

This book is a great buy. It has everything I need to learn about digital food photography. The photos are impressive and will help me visualize the effect I want to get (eventually) in my own food photos. The technical information on "how to", for example depth of field etc. was very useful. The only jarring note was the fact that it was written in 2005 and is a little out of date where camera equipment and ability is concerned. Despite that, I love the book and recommend it to anyone interested in the subject of food photography.

This book is somehow inspiring and contains valid information on how to achieve a good shot of any food.However, both the lighting and the composition look a bit old-fashioned nowadays, despite the indisputable reputation of the author Lou Manna.

Have alot of trick for food styling, but its kinda old school.The picture are old and the tricks and recipe are more for hudge commercial photo.