Hi MSG Folks,

While browsing a new cook book I noticed that the majority of the photos are front focused and a shallow DOF- very artistic. My limited experience has been an epic failure on getting photos like these accepted- Do the majority of MS companies want the entire photo in focus plus not too shallow DOF? I have to think what the buyers want and not what is artsy?

  Your thoughts or experiences on food shots especially with the Top Tier folks.

Thanks

Tom

Using shallow DOF and selective focus works for me.

As long as it is done properly it will pass right through.

Lots of food photography is done with a tilt shift lens so the focus plane can be kept very small but yet include a large percentage of the image or food item.

http://photographyconcentrate.com/tilt-shift-introduction/

I have many fruits and veggies arrangements shots.  None are shallow DOF. It has worked well for me.  After a while you naturally develop your own style.

Denis

Just got a kelby food video today- I didn't realize how much prep goes into the shooting. My eyes are open now. Did a salad shot as a matter of fact using some of the tips on the DVD.  Thanks to everyone. 


Tom

A good number of posts were removed from the thread - essentially criticizing the original poster for asking a question.

Take it easy guys!  The point of a forum is to learn and ask questions.  No question should be too elementary or basic.  If you don't like the question, move along to another thread.  We all have to start somewhere. 

A good number of posts were removed from the thread - essentially criticizing the original poster for asking a question.

Take it easy guys!  The point of a forum is to learn and ask questions.  No question should be too elementary or basic.  If you don't like the question, move along to another thread. We all have to start somewhere.

Exactly. One comment was completely out of line. Agree with Vannphoto as well. This place is not exactly newby friendly.

I think all sorts of food shots can succeed. I have wondered, though, whether it is a good idea offering a 20MP food shot to SS, as I suspect they are more lliable to reject large files for focus, where they would accept a smaller size. Maybe some of the reviewers don't give sufficient weight to the fact that the higher the magnification the shallower the DoF.

I think all sorts of food shots can succeed. I have wondered, though, whether it is a good idea offering a 20MP food shot to SS, as I suspect they are more lliable to reject large files for focus, where they would accept a smaller size. Maybe some of the reviewers don't give sufficient weight to the fact that the higher the magnification the shallower the DoF.

My recent experience suggests that many recent 'focus' rejections at SS have no rational basis.  I don't know what's going on,  but my guess is that an automated screen is being tried - a piece of software is trying to find edges throughout the image, and its parameters are tuned up way too high.  It's particularly hard on closeups.

The 'focus' rejections that I've resubmitted were approved, which reinforces my opinon.