A Round Up of Food Photography Books

This post is not a review of these books as such but more intended to let you know that they are available (in my case free from the library).  Each one was worthwhile and provided inspiration to improve my food pics.

Food Photography for Bloggers by Matt Armendariz.  The author was a creative director in food advertising who started a blog in 2005.  The book is specifically targeted at bloggers.  Ironically, I thought the cover didn't really show off his talents.

Food Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots (2^nd edition) by Nicole S Young. The author is a full time photographer and blogger.  Her advice is clear and not unduly technical.  There are sections of the book about Photoshop (which I have but don't use).  I skipped over them.  I was inspired to set up a more permanent photo set by this one.

Food Photography: A Beginner's Guide to Creating Appetizing Images by Corinna Gissemann.  This book is not as entertaining as some but it is highly practical.  I picked up some great tips for setting up photos – some of which I'll have to practise.  And I liked her style of photos.  The one below is a fave (and it was on a slant in the book).

Food Styling & Photography For Dummies by Alison Parks-Whitfield.  If you've ever read a For Dummies book you'll know how things are approached.  There are some good tips in here   but this is not the book to read to get styling inspiration – I actually found the quality of the photos not that great.

Spirit of the South by Andris Apse

Spirit of the South is a recently published photo book.  It's a lavish, sumptuous look at the many glories of the South Island of New Zealand.  If you can get it from your library prepare to be blown away by the images.

There are also a number of essays in the book – including one by a former All Black Captain – but I confess I didn't read them.  The photos are the thing – simply stunning and heart lifting.  Apse is simply a very great landscape photographer.

If you would like to spoil someone for their birthday (or even yourself) you can buy this book for $90 – expensive but fabulous.

Hometown New Zealand – Photographs by Derek Smith

Hometown New Zealand is a book of photographs that was published this year.  The photos are by Derek Smith.  They are beautiful shots of some down home places in New Zealand.  That is interesting in itself.

But the fact that the photographer took all these shots while working as a meter reader all over New Zealand makes it even more special.

I selected 3 photos to give you a taste of his work.  Enjoy!