A new tradition of every outing and family gathering is that before we eat the food, we take a good picture of it. Cellphones and Instagram accounts have a hand in the spike of food photographs going around like wild fire, and although the food might be amazing, the pictures… not so much.
So speaking about the art of food photography today, is, successful photographer Sadiq Shah.
Thank you for being with us, how are you?
Thank you so much for having me, I’m great, Alhamdulillah. How are you today?
So how did you get in food photography specifically?
I’ve been into food photography for the past 8 years; however, the photographer in me always came second to the design degree that I had achieved. My main focus was design but then about a year and half ago, as luck would have it, I was asked to do a shoot for a pretty big client. Once the encouragement and support started pouring in from that shoot, I began to get a lot more calls asking me for photo shoot appointments.
And it’s just been an amazing ride since then, from one client to another; in just a year I’ve had the opportunity to be involved with the old, the new, the big and the small.
What’s the best thing about this kind of job?
The best thing about photography is the challenge it presents in terms of the freedom of creativity it allows. Before every shoot I have to sit down and find the right composition and concept for the food products that I’ll be showcasing. This could be the base needed for the dish under the spotlight or the accompanying accessories.
Additionally, it’s a very experimental field. I am not bound to one desk or one office, I get to be outdoors and indoors and there’s never a dull moment. The challenge is not only mental, but also physical. During a shoot, there is no one ‘angle’, I’ll be laying down to get that perception shot or even standing on step-ladders to get the perfect top-shot.
How do you incorporate your own style into these shoots?
As I mentioned before, I come from a background dipped in design which truly allows me to see and perceive compositions differently. My former education in design contributes vastly in my aesthetic sense, which is what enables me to understand what kind of base or props the specific shoot demands.
Do you think food photography has limited your options or provided opportunities?
Well, there is never any limit to growth, in any direction you take in life. There is always room for more – and just like that, since I have shifted my focus to only food photography, it has opened up a world of opportunities for me.
Not only am I now physically in the market, but also, I am taken more seriously as a food photographer, as I have found and targeted a niche. Although initially, I didn’t know how it would work for me, I’m glad I made the change, my commitment to this one epoch is what has helped me create a brand and a title that people know about, for myself. I don’t go for wedding shoots or fashion shoots, because rather than being a jack of all trades, I’d like to master in one.
What qualities or skills should one have to do this?
In my opinion, the most important skill a good photographer possesses is the wholesome understanding of light. I play with light a lot, it’s angles, refraction and usage are number #1 for me, when taking pictures.
Second comes the type of lens I choose and the last, is the camera I’m using. So, the real skill is basically a seasoned eye for light detail and the knowledge of its best application.
Just generally what do you like to photograph and eat the most?
I’d have to say my favorite thing to photograph (professionally) would be bakery and confectionery items. And that’s because there are a lot of concepts and ideas that I can play around with and incorporate into the shoot.
For example, for a bakery photo shoot, I can play around with raw or refined wheat, castor sugar, eggs etc.
And when it comes to food, I enjoy regular desi food the most.
What would you like to do in the future, or how would you like to expand on this?
Well the plan is definitely to stay on this course and develop further skills needed and expected of me. Additionally, in the near future, hopefully, I’d like to open up Pakistan’s first, most-advanced product and food photography studio. The main idea is for the studio to be futuristic and well-equipped to handle the needs of any client, local or international – and be the best in Pakistan.
Honestly, does the food ever look as good in real life, as it does in your pictures?
Not always; the food we photograph and the food served to customers is definitely very different – I’d say maybe 50%. But that’s because when food is made for a photo-shoot it’s created to look beautiful and enticing, so flavors are not really a priority. Whereas, during lunch hours and rush hours, a restaurant’s main goal is to serve quality food, and not just pretty food.
Do you think it’s difficult for photographers in a space where now everyone is taking pictures of their food?
Social media platforms, such as Instagram and Snapchat have definitely allowed a lot of people to showcase their skills as amateur photographers, however, I don’t feel threatened by it as this is my job and I have gone through an entire process of learning and developing my vision and my aesthetic.
Additionally, I feel the difficulty for photographers arises when one loses focus of what they really want to do and begin to take on everything. As the diversity increases in your portfolio, it shows that there is no real specialization. So, yes, there are numerous pictures of food all the time but this is something that I specialize in, and I’m grateful that even in such competitive market conditions, I have been recognized and approached for my services.
Thank you so much for being with us today. What would you like to say to our readers?
Thank you so much for having me! And I’d just like to say one word; Consistency. Success is not an overnight process, and it can take years. But you have to keep at it, you have to commit to your vision and work for its existence day and night.
It could be a language, a software or even a musical instrument.
If you remain consistent, there is truly nothing that you cannot achieve
To see more of his work you can follow him @sadiq_shah
Or go to his website at www.foodphotography.pk
Maheen Ahmed – Hoping to make culture
@lahore_la_notte
