Photography by Jerry, LLC

Someone of FaceBook posted an amazing still life with fruit, cheese, old wood – a real classic look of the old masters. (It’s in a group so, I don’t know if you can see it but, here’s a link.) I thought that this was the best thing since black plexiglass in the 80s.

A few hours later, my client calls, and says that she has a new product and can I do a shoot? Sure, I can. I’m always happy to shoot. The new product is chocolate dipped dried fruit. (I wish I can share it with you but, sorry, not yet.) SO, she brings over the products and also brings over fresh fruit in the flavors that she used. I finished the shoot but, never used the fresh fruit. Then the lightbulb over my head went on. (Did you hear a “bing” in the background because, I did as I wrote this.) I’ll try a classical style still life with her fruit and include her product.

That was the motivation I needed. I got her shot and then I kept going, and going, and going. At the end of the night (and this morning with more editing) I was very pleased with my Classic Still Life. I kept it dark (too dark for my wife, sorry dear) and painted in the light in PhotoShop. Hope you like them as well.

If you’ve read my last post on the workshop in Gulf Shores, Alabama, you probably realize that I have been motivated and inspired to do food photography with natural light (not available light – I’ve been corrected) with shallower depth of field or a top down view.

So, what happens next? Practice, practice, practice. I intend to practice these techniques so  much that I can end up in Carnegie Hall (I’ve heard that you get to Carnegie Hall with practice, practice, practice.)

But, practicing photography only works when you are motivated to make beautiful images so, I needed props and food to photograph. I went shopping! Did you know that Kohl’s and J.C.Penny have beautiful plates, bowls, napkins and towels? I spent over $200. and that’s without food. And next – Home Goods!

Since I don’t cook, (I don’t even prepare! – the closest I come is warming up leftovers in the microwave or on a good day, making a simple omelet) I went to Wegman’s because they really know how to cook.

I purchased some rice, macaroni salad, seafood salad and bread and got to work.

The biggest problem was finding light. The best I could do was use the sliding door in the sunroom (the room in which we just purchased a custom designed rug – I’d better not spill anything!)

I set up on the floor but, couldn’t bring in the dirty old wood with the new rug. I had a small piece of cork paper for one shot and one of the new napkins for the next. I definitely have to get more surfaces…I would love some white washed vintage wood – does anybody have some fore me?

So, these photos are the results of my first attempt at setting up the food and shooting with natural light on the floor. I still don’t think there is anything natural about setting up food on the floor. Thankfully, nothing made it on to the rug.

Tomorrow – it’s Bed, Bath and Beyond and more shopping.

I am so glad that I have a background in computers because SEO is not easy. For those who don’t know, SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It’s what gets you to the top of a Google search. One of the things that I can control are link backs back to my site. So, I am trying to take advantage of every link back to http://www.photography-by-jerry.com that I can get. Here is an example:

See my profile on FreelanceDesigners.com

I was humbled to be asked to be a guest on Simi’s Tumericnspice blog.

Here is her introduction:A couple of  months back, Bart Luczak of K&L food blog started a food photo critique club, a gathering of like minded people who love to share their passion for food photography and a great place to learn. Some of the members are professional photographers and some of them chefs – most of them masters in their own field. I am so glad to be part of it as I have learned a lot and it is a lot of fun. Jerry is a professional still life and product photographer specializing in food photography. He is part of the food photography club and I have learned some valuable lessons and gotten some great tips from him.  Jerry has a very keen eye, and trust me, there is not a teeny tiny shadow that he will miss. I think he is the tech wiz as far as photography is concerned and he knows the science behind the art. I think some of us (and that totally includes me) are driving him nuts with our endless questions. Hope we don’t drive you away!  Thanks Jerry and thanks to all of you at the photo club for the critique, feedback and encouragement.

My first lesson was: there is always one hero and that is your subject – food! Am never going to forget that lesson. There is so much to learn from him that I thought it would be great to have him over at TnS. Welcome Jerry,  hope you enjoy your stay as much as we enjoy having you over.

Read the interview and Simi’s kind words here:

I just finished the third version of a photo book showcasing my food photography. Please take a look online at My Photo Book  and click on the eyeball to view the book full screen.

(Sorry, you need Flash to view the book so, no iPads or iPhones.)

IF you would like to create your own photo book, you can go to adoramapix click Join and tell them that you heard about them from a friend. Enter my referral number 1643220 and you and I will both receive $5. in pix credits.