I don't think I have ever considered the changing nature of food photography until I brought this book. It is a theme that runs throughout Digital Food Photography, understandable considering the 30 plus years the author has engaged in photographing food and drink. Manna has shot for Wine Enthusiast, Food Arts, The New York Times, numerous cook books and packaging companies.

In the past the emphasis was on the props - more props than food in most cases. Images were also taken from the perspective of the diner. Now close-ups, selective focusing, graphic and stylised images are the norm. These are covered in some depth in Digital Food Photography.

The book is aimed at the beginner-intermediate level but I found some sections perfunctory and lightweight. The last chapter for example that looks at setting up a business and selling pictures; other books cover this in quite some depth so I wonder why they bothered to put such light weight stuff in.

The rest of the book is a joy though. A mass of photographs discussing food layout and plating, the steps leading to a final picture and details of why previous pictures didn't make the grade. Composition, layout, impact and proportion form a major portion of the book as does lighting. Here charts detail camera settings over various shot-types.

There are plenty of tips on food-styling techniques - glue for milk, mash-potato for ice-cream, soapy water for hot fat or hot coffee and the like. Interesting but I imagine that most armatures would stick to taking pictures of the food they just cooked.

Overall though its a book packed with inspiring photos; with the discussion of why various shots worked or didn't being the most useful. A great introduction to the subject.

Digital Food Photography Recommended Retail US$39.99/C$53.95.

Table of Contents

Introduction
1. The Key Ingredient: Pixels
2. Digital Photography: The Necessities
3. Who's Digesting It: Advertising, Packaging, Public Relations, and the Media
4. Who's Doing the Cooking: Working with Food Stylists
5. Prop Styling: Who's Doing the Shopping?
6. Grabbing Your Attention: Composition
7. The Recipe for Light
8. The Digital Spice: Retouching
9. Get Cooking and Make Some Money: Getting into the Business