OVERVIEW:
I'd like to talk about the food photography shoot I did for a restaurant a few years ago. The reason is, I used a camera that I would have never guessed could do the job, a Panasonic FZ1000 #ad AND I used an "advanced" food photography technique (that's actually quite easy) that used a constant light source (no flash). As a former still photographer, this went against everything I had believed and done before. I was using one of the smaller-sensor BRIDGE CAMERAS (with a non-interchangeable lens) and NO STROBE OR FLASH! All of these factors would normally result in grainy and blurred images. However, this all worked out because I was using a (40") slider #ad for stabilization (and to recomposed each shot quickly, repeatedly). Then, what made it even easier (and actually pretty fun) was to add a remote control (using the Panasonic Image app).
ABOVE: Doing a food photo shoot with the Panasonic Image App in conjunction with a Panasonic FZ1000 camera (and a 40" slider on 2 sturdy tripods) is a super-efficient food photography workflow that allows clients to see the images on screen (and even take them).
WHY USE A SLIDER (FOR FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY)?
The first question that may come to a photographer's mind is regarding the slider. Why use one for food photography? Aren't sliders designed for capturing motion (video) and not stills? Well, the main reason I use the slider is for stability and not for motion. I mount it on 2 sturdy tripods. I use a couple of medium weight Manfrotto tripods #ad (the old 3011 is good) purchased used through OfferUp. (I do not recommend using light stands to hold the slider, or even 1 tripod, as this is usually not sturdy enough.) So, when the slider is mounted on 2 sturdy tripods, it eliminates camera shake. The next part is the most exciting, however; I use the slider function to quickly reposition the camera (in proximity to the food being photographed on the table below) to quickly grab shots from different angles. One from the left, one from center and one from the right, or whatever sequence of shots you'd like to take. This makes taking several photos quickly (from different angles) a breeze, because you never have to rotate the plate of food.
WHY USE THE PANASONIC FZ1000?
The question as to why I used the Panasonic FZ1000 #ad (for food photography) should come up in most photographer's minds. "Isn't that a (despised) bridge camera, with a small sensor, poor low-light capabilities and a lack of macro?" Yes, yes, yes and yes. However, it worked great, amidst all these limitations. The small sensor was overcome by using a low ISO and enough light (an LED with a minimum of 600 LEDs if non-bi-color, 1200 if bi-color). Then, the slider (and sturdy tripods) kept any camera shake in check. Then, finally, the lack of a macro never really came into play, as I stayed about 6 feet away from the food plate and zoomed in to the telephoto part of the lens.
USING THE PANASONIC APP IS AWESOME (IF CLOSE)!
There is something even more interesting about using the FZ1000 #ad for food photography though; the ability to control the focus AND ZOOM from an Android (or iOS?) tablet (from a distance). If you've never used a tablet to control the focus AND ZOOM of a camera, you're in for a treat. I use a 7 or 8-inch Samsung (Android) tablet #ad with a protective case #ad and it looks super professional because it allows me to show the client the images on a larger screen, AND they can even be the one taking the pictures if they want to: I compose (by moving the slider) they focus and shoot (by simply tapping on the tablet screen where they want it to be in focus). The whole setup isn't very expensive, but clients have been very happy about it because it shows them exactly what they're getting, and that is what can speed up production dramatically (if the client isn't too picky, but if they are, it's on them).
UPDATE: After using the Panasonic Image App recently (on a couple of different phones, in a number of different RF environments) it isn't working too well UNLESS YOU ARE CLOSE TO THE CAMERA!
CONCLUSION:
So, as far as productivity, this setup allowed me to shoot the entire menu in 1 day (2 sessions of 1/2 day each). While I was prepared with a shot list (created from a printed menu they supplied) the team (including the owner and cooks) made it very easy by quickly cooking and styling each dish. It was a fast-paced and invigorating experience, but using the FZ1000, on a slider and with a tablet powered by the Panasonic Image App, it was easy!
Comments