When I commenced blogging about two years ago, I didn’t reckon if I just cook and write a recipe is not enough but even I need take impressive photos.
I was looking at beautiful pics for a long time and I thought I could never ever made something like these. My husband bought a better camera for me, and some lovely equipment as well, but I have never been satisfied with my results. And I really wanted to get improved so I had to make steps further and find a workshop where I can learn as much as possible.
Meeta, at
What’s for lunch Honey is a talented food photographer, who often organizes food photo and styling workshops. Last year I planned to attend Sommerset, but my boys were too young to leave them with Daddy for 3 days….. By this year they have grown so quickly that I was confident they will enjoy 2 days just with Daddy and Grandpa….
Probably they would have enjoyed it, but the elder one had got sick before I left. So my heart was full of worry and discomfort when I took the train on that Friday morning.
The workshop was held in London Cookery School. It was a nice, spacious venue for 12 participants to pick up new technics and skills to lead to become better photographer. Meeta, Sumayya and
Jeanne were the grant of this. All of them are friendly, cheerful ladies with full of energy.
Sumayya at
Pukka Paki is the number one chef of pakistanian cuisine in UK, I suppose. Her blog is so colorful and dishes are wonderful. She cooked several mouth watering traditional meal through two days. Biryani and sweet samosas were my all time favorites, but many of them were so fragrant and inspiring that I’m planning to take part in her pakistanian cookery course in the near future…
Jeanne at
Cooksister is among Top 10 Food bloggers in UK. She is a photographer, a writer and a lawyer in one person.
First day was full of basics: ISO, white balance, lighting, tripod, effector, diffusor, background, etc.
All of them were known, but it always makes sense to repeat and go back to the roots. And the afternoon session was about restaurant photography, by Jeanne. It was something new to me, and I’m interested in it as it’s something useful if You want to take a shot about your food on your plate when You eat in a marvellous restaurant where the light is never ever natural. Usually if You eat out You don’t carry a tripod, a reflector, anything. So You just have to use a manual mode on your camera, and try to do your best to create sharp and appetizing photos. It’s not easy at all, is it?
The second day was about From London To Pakistan – Street Food. First of all we went through on post process work in Lightroom or Photoshop, and then we had to task: take an action shot meanwhile Sumayya and ladies cook the wonderful diner and then create a cover shoot for a magazine. I worked with Charlotte throughout two days who is a professional photographer. It was so useful to have a look at how she works, what kind of settings she used. Thank You, Charlotte!










All in all I enjoyed these two days so much! It was a great opportunity to meet with other persons who also adore food, glorious food and photography as well. I’m so grateful to had opportunity to be taught by three talented ladies, who organized an inspiring and effective two days workshop. Thank You!
And at the end of day I had a fortune, I won a Vitamax Food processor! It wasn’t easy to to bear the massive pack along the suite, but finally we got home! And I have tried it, and amazing what a strong engine it has. I’ll come with some lovely recipes in the near future…….

Jeanne
Oh what happy memories you have brought back! A wonderful review of our workshop and gorgeous photos too (I also loved that salmon with horseradish cream…) So glad to hear you enjoyed attending the workshop as much as we enjoyed presenting it 🙂
Dot
Love the review – brings back many happy memories, it was wonderful to meet you and all the other amazing students during these great 2 days – hope all goes well for you and your boys are now fit and well – take care
Emma
Hello Ladies! It's nice to hear You!!!! Thanks for your comments, and YES I really enjoyed this workshop! I learned so much that I hope it will come across on my photos as well…..
And thanks Dot my boys are active again, too excited about Easter Bunny….
Happy Easter!
Eva @FoodVegetarisch
What a lovely recap!! And as Dot already mentioned, it brings back many happy memories 🙂 It was so great to meet you all!
Happy Easter!
Eduard Kooij
Great post with lots of info. These foods photos are beautiful …
microstock photo website
Eduard Kooij
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Tim Cray
Nice work!!! While the above applies to food photography in general there are specific lighting approaches that give a more minimalist feel. The use of a very strong back light is one such approach. The best source is a window that occupies the entire background.
Stock Photos
Anonymous
hello ladies… was wondering if food stylist is something and food photographer is something else? i'm really into photography but i am not a good cook. will that affect my decision if i want to take it to a professional level?
Aniko
Hello there, well the workshop also highlighted the preference of natural light. However if the amount of sunny hours is quite low, You have to use an other source of light. And about food stylist and photographer…. It's always a tough question. But I personally think if somebody doesn't like to eat good food, won't take perfect shots of food either. If cooking is not your passion but You can differentiate between food and food it will come across the photos…. just because if You don't know what is the key factor in the food in front of You, why is that so special You won't be able to present it to your audience…. in my opinion 🙂 so, good luck!
Parul
What an informative post and lovely pics to match. I cant help but be inspired to improve on my own craft. Im an amateur photographer at best with clear interest in food photography. I often visit most of the food blogs mentioned above; quite a talent pool there ladies.
Could I get some more info on this workshop? I tried googling London Cookery School but got too many varied search results. Pls help!
Aniko
Hello Parul, I remember the first year when I started blogging about food. There were so many information on the web that most of us can be completely lost among them. There are several workshops all over the world specially in London. But this one, which was organized by Meeta is not a regular workshop there. But Meeta organizes other workshops quite often so my advice is to contact her and check her website frequently where is the next one. Or visit her online course at the link here below: http://www.thecompellingimage.com/courses/84-food-photography-starting-out
I hope I could help You!
Hong kong photo studio
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