Artistic food photography

Description

I’m excited to share with you a brand-new collaboration with Solli Kanani for a unique and exciting workshop.

Workshop — "Artistic" Food Photography

Objective:

Over the course of two half-days, we’ll create culinary images inspired by the masters of painting, learn how to set up a still life scene (composition, lighting, styling), and then edit the photos using a simple and effective workflow to achieve a “painting-like” effect

Workshop content:

Saturday, June 13:

Studio photo shoot (3.5 hours) in small groups, 2 sessions: 9:00 AM–12:30 PM / 2:30 PM–6:00 PM

Note regarding the schedule:

To ensure the best possible support for each participant, the number of participants will be limited to four per session. This means that one group will be in the studio in the morning, and another group in the afternoon.

We will decide together on the allocation based on our capacity and the total number of participants.

1) Welcome and introduction

2) Theory: Understanding Still Life

• Definition: What is a still life?
• Visual fundamentals with a focus on color, harmony, contrast, and storytelling: how to “tell” a story using these elements
• Painting Inspiration

◦ Key points on several masters and pictorial techniques (chiaroscuro, use of light, color palette, textures)

◦ how I draw inspiration from it in my work: references, mood boards, choice of objects

3) Demonstration: Creating a culinary still life scene

Solli Kanani directs the entire production from start to finish, explaining each step along the way.

• Set design: selection of the backdrop, props, fabrics, and accessories. Selection of food items (colors, “stars” of the image).
• Food styling
• Lighting: where to place the light source, how to shape it to create contrast, and achieve a "painting-like" effect
• Settings and shooting: framing, choosing the focal length, depth of field

4) Partner activity: Create your own still life

• Division into pairs
• Each pair creates a culinary still-life scene using the studio's props and equipment

Sunday, June 14:

Lightroom + Photoshop in-person (9:00 AM–3:00 PM)

For this session, all participants will gather in a room equipped with an overhead projector.

Objective:

Edit the images taken the previous day using the workflows developed by Solli Kanani and David Duchens

Session with Solli Kanani:

1) Lightroom & Photoshop – Photo editing process and tips for a “painting” effect

• Essential adjustments: exposure, contrast, white balance, highlight/shadow recovery, tone curve for shaping light, color grading: palette, harmony, targeted desaturation
• Local adjustments: guiding the eye (masks), enhancing volume and texture
• Cleaning and fine-tuning: minor dust, stains, imperfections, harmonizing elements (visual consistency)
• Shaping light the studio way
• Tips for creating a "painted" effect

Session with David Duchesne:

During this session, you will learn image editing techniques and how to create a photomontage if needed.

As in the Solli session, special emphasis will be placed on creating atmosphere by working with light and shadow, as well as on color theory.

In addition to Photoshop, other software (plug-ins) and apps will be covered (primarily the NIK Collection and Bloom by Topaz Labs).

FREE BONUS:

• A 2-hour video tutorial on the art of still life
• A 16-page PDF document also devoted to still life (composition, lighting, detailed diagrams, etc.)

BIO SOLLI KANANI

Solli Kanani is a photographer and videographer based in Paris, originally from Sweden. Specializing in food and travel photography, she creates visuals for food and lifestyle brands, Michelin-starred restaurants, and luxury hotels. Fascinated by still life and dark, moody atmospheres, she is passionate about sculpting light to reveal textures, materials, and emotions in her images.
Solli Kanani is a Nikon Europe ambassador in Paris. She was selected for the Pink Lady Food Photo Awards in 2020, 2021, and 2023. She is also an ambassador for the Calibrite and BenQ brands.

Website: https://studio.solli-kanani.com/portfolio
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sollikanani_studio/

Workshop follow-up:
A one-hour videoconference via Zoom following the workshop (date to be fixed according to respective availability) is included in the workshop fee. It may or may not be used. This session can be used to review certain points, for example.

What the workshop includes:
The photography classes described above:
Guidance during the classes from professional photographers Solli Kanani and David Duchens

What the workshop does not include:
Photo and computer equipment
Meals and drinks
Insurance
Transport
Accommodation

Workshop cancellation policy:
You can find the details in ourTerms and Conditions.
Please note that the workshop will be canceled if the minimum number of 4 participants is not reached (I will keep you informed as soon as possible regarding the status of reservations). In this case, you will receive a full refund of the amount paid.

Practical information:
A complete PDF document will be sent to you a few weeks before the workshop date.
It contains all the necessary practical information (addresses, schedules, etc.)