Food and Product Photography

Food and Product Photography
9 Weeks | $425 | Online

Have you ever wondered how a photograph of a delicious dish can make you want to visit a specific restaurant? Or how you can see a product in a glossy magazine and in that moment, know how it feels on your fingertips? Do you want to learn how to create those kinds of images?

This course will introduce students to the basics of how to create compelling food and product imagery. Among other topics we will address the use of natural light, studio light, focal length, composition, and subject-matter styling. The course is intended for students who wish to explore and develop an understanding of the process and techniques for creating promotional-use images for social media, commercial advertisements and editorial pieces. Each week students will execute and produce imagery highlighting food or products, which they will then workshop. The objective is to give students a foundational knowledge of the core skills for creating promotional imagery, while also helping students hone their ability to deliver and receive feedback effectively.

Students must have access to a digital camera with manual controls allowing them to manipulate exposure, shutter speed, ISO, and focus. For certain optional modules, students will also need access to a computer with photo editing software.
 

• Understand and apply basic principles of food preparation and product styling.
• Manage color and contrast to produce beautiful shots.
• Create appropriately styled sets.
• Explore the different ways to style and compose shots for maximum impact.
• Understand how to use natural and studio light to enhance images and create a mood.
• Apply proper exposure techniques.
• Gain confidence on how to choose the best images, edit those images for creativity and presentation, and share the images online.

Quarters Offered: Fall, Spring | Online
Course Fee: $425
Prerequisite: Photo I: Aperture, Shutter Speed & ISO (ART-40629). Students must have experience using manual camera settings (aperture, shutter speed & ISO).
Materials/Software/Hardware: Creative Cloud Photography Plan required (Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom). Full adjustable DSLR or mirrorless camera. Tripod recommended.
Note: Elective course for the Photography: Images and Techniques professional certificate.
Contact: For more information about this course, please email unex-digital@ucsd.edu.