Pretty Pictures

A few weeks ago, I took at food photography and styling course at the Institute of Culinary Education. We got to play with brightly colored dishes and backgrounds, along with a whole kitchen full of food. I learned that lots of food styling is, well, a bit un-edible: Elmer’s glue stands in for milk, for example. But these first glamour shots are just a few I took where food gets all the deserved glory, no help required. (The last two had a bit of extra love.) The best thing I learned: colored paper backgrounds and clothespins can cure all manner of styling conundrums. I’ll be starting my own paper collection soon!

These artichokes were styled by another group, but I had to take photos because they were so gorgeous. Green and purple are opposites on the color wheel, which is part of the reason they go so well together.

The pattypan squash we styled! I love the aquamarine plate, wanted to bring it home with me.

A product shot we styled. I had to blow on the chocolate drizzle with a straw to make it look warm and melty—but really it was just spit-covered!

And a chicken salad, all nicely golden. I think we brushed it with a browning agent to make it look so pretty.