From Labs to Ladles: The Technical Art of Food Photography
There's something magical about combining technical photography expertise with the art of food presentation. Recently, we had the opportunity to do just that at Il Mercato Centrale, Melbourne's newest Italian food destination.
When a former colleague reached out about photographing their new menu, I was intrigued. While food photography isn't my usual territory, I realised that many of the skills I've developed photographing in healthcare and research environments translate surprisingly well to a commercial kitchen.
Sev Ali - Business Owner - Juicello & former colleague from Monash University Media Production
Take lighting, for instance. Just as I need to capture precise details in medical procedures, food photography requires careful control of light to showcase texture and detail. Setting up near a window, I used the same systematic approach I'd use in a laboratory - carefully measuring light ratios, controlling unwanted reflections, and maintaining consistency across multiple shots.
Meatball Baguette
One particular challenge was managing a stubborn overhead light that cast unwanted shadows and yellow tints across the food. The solution came in an appropriately Italian form - a pizza tray held carefully in place to block the light, demonstrating how creative problem-solving often requires thinking outside the box.
Sev & Gary use pizza trays to help block the down lights
Working in hospitals has taught me the importance of minimising disruption to operational environments. This experience proved invaluable in a busy food hall setting. We created an efficient workflow that allowed the chef to focus on cooking while we captured each dish at its perfect moment. By tethering to a laptop, just as I do during medical photography, we could instantly review and adjust our approach without interrupting the kitchen's rhythm.
Perhaps the most valuable crossover was my understanding of the need for methodical documentation. In healthcare, every image needs to be precisely replicable. We applied this same principle to the menu photography, ensuring every dish was photographed from exactly the same angle and distance, creating a cohesive visual story that will serve the business well across various platforms.
Did we get to eat the food, yes!
