{"id":896,"date":"2014-05-01T12:03:32","date_gmt":"2014-05-01T16:03:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bhr\/?p=896"},"modified":"2020-01-13T11:53:36","modified_gmt":"2020-01-13T16:53:36","slug":"the-food-photography-trend-a-discussion-of-the-popular-trend-and-tips-on-taking-great-pictures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bhr\/2014\/05\/01\/the-food-photography-trend-a-discussion-of-the-popular-trend-and-tips-on-taking-great-pictures\/","title":{"rendered":"The Food Photography Trend: A Discussion of the Popular Trend and Tips on Taking Great Pictures"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Food<\/a>
Assorted macarons (Formaggio in the South End, Boston)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Lauren Greenfield<\/p>\n

It seems that people are more willing than ever to share their lives as a series of photos on the Internet. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram make it easy to share every little detail with our friends and family and even with people we don\u2019t know. We share photos of major life events like graduations and engagements alongside photos of friends and the occasional cute pet photos.<\/p>\n

One trend that has recently gained momentum is the sharing of food photos. Our newsfeeds are bombarded everyday with everything from photos of homemade waffles to colorful rows of sushi. A quick search for \u201cfood\u201d on Instagram or Pinterest will leave you with millions of posts and pictures to sift through and drool over. With one click you can find photos of sticky cinnamon buns overflowing with icing alongside pictures of gooey macaroni and cheese among other delicious looking dishes.<\/p>\n

According to RJMetrics, an eCommerce analytics company, \u201cFood is the fastest growing and most viral category on Pinterest.\u201d There are even apps and websites designed strictly for sharing food photos and experiences. Food-spotting for example is an app, which allows users to search out the very best of a certain dish in their area based on what others have shared, while foodgawker.com has thousands of photos and recipes compiled from food blogs and websites inviting site visitors to \u201cfeed your eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Flickr, a photo sharing website has a \u201cfood photography club\u201d where artists and food photo enthusiasts can discuss the latest trends in food photography. Discussions range from lighting to various types of camera lenses.<\/p>\n

So, why has food become such a popular photography subject with the masses? To put it simply, as Boston-based food and lifestyle photographer Heath Robbins says, \u201cFood is life \u2026 It connects all of our senses together \u2026 and connects people, connecting friends, and moments in time.\u201d Food is something everyone can relate to. Each of us has had at least one unforgettable experience with food and many of us associate specific dishes with certain family members or vivid memories. Seeing photos of our favorite childhood foods can transport us just as easily as seeing the dish in person.<\/p>\n

People take photos of their food not only for themselves, but also to share with others. \u201cThe ability to go out and get a nicely presented meal has become more obtainable,\u201d says Gian-Patrick Maggio, sous chef at Russell House Tavern, \u201cWhich in hand makes people want to photograph it as a remembrance \u2026 and also kind of showing off to friends.\u201d There are always new restaurants to try and sharing photos of your experiences is a new way to share where you have eaten.<\/p>\n

\"Chocolate<\/a>
Chocolate and creme Brul\u00e9e ice cream<\/span>
(Movenpick in Manly Beach, Australia)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Cappucino<\/a>
Cappuccino (Black Star Pastry in Sydney, Australia)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Shakshuka,<\/a>
Shakshuka, a Middle Eastern dish of eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce served with housemade pita bread (Sofra Bakery and Cafe in Cambridge)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not everyone is a fan of taking photos of food at restaurants however. According to the Huffington Post, several New York City restaurants have banned customers from taking photos of their food to post to social media. Faith Salie of CBS Sunday Morning says sharing photos from restaurants can seem \u201cLess like sharing and more like bragging. If you really want to share your meal, make one.\u201d She continued, \u201cOur moments, like our meals, are meant to be consumed at their most delicious, not put on hold while they congeal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Restaurants often post their own photos to their Facebook and Twitter pages as well. Some restaurants even have designated social media staff members who maintain and add photos to the restaurant\u2019s social networking accounts to ensure the restaurant has a constant online presence. \u201cThe danger \u2026 is that everyone thinks they don\u2019t need better pictures for marketing,\u201d says
\nRobbins. \u201cRestaurants are shooting dishes under fluorescent lights\u2026 and it\u2019s not appealing enough to draw in new customers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"<\/a>
Fried brussel sprouts (Namu Gaii in San Francisco)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Pan<\/a>
Pan fried Daikon cakes studded with pork and served with plum sauce (Bubor Cha Cha in<\/span>
Chinatown, Boston)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sheer number of food photos available on the Internet and on apps like Instagram can be overwhelming, but those photos can serve as inspiration as well as eye candy. \u201cI love seeing photos of food simply because I can learn and gain new ideas and possible techniques,\u201d says Maggio. You can read a recipe with detailed instructions on how to make the perfect chocolate cake, but a beautifully composed photo of the finished product is more helpful and much more inspiring than words alone.<\/p>\n

\"Almond<\/a>
Almond pastry (Davis Square Farmers Market)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you are looking to improve upon your \u201cfoodtography\u201d skills, here are some tips from the pros.<\/p>\n