When photographers compete with food photographers.

Reporter: Hello, could you introduce yourself?

Quang Huy:Hello, I'm Quang Huy, founder of Sal'mone Creative Studio, and I've been working in professional food photography for 5 years. My hobby is exploring new places, traveling, and experiencing delicious food and unique culinary cultures.

Interviewer: Why did you choose to become a food photographer?

Quang Huy:My initial career as a Graphic Designer, combined with my love of food, led me to the food and beverage industry. After discovering my passion for food photography through photos, videos, and television programs, I decided to explore and research food photography. I chose to pursue a professional career in this field because it allows me to travel, meet new people, and taste delicious food. The experience of working on interesting projects is also quite rewarding, and the income is quite stable.

Interviewer: What is your most memorable experience?

Quang Huy:Looking back, there were quite a few memorable moments, but the most special was when our team worked on the menu project for a resort in Mui Ne. This was the biggest and longest project I've ever undertaken, lasting two weeks. The whole team raced against time and weather from morning till night, shooting photos while ensuring the food looked fresh, delicious, and visually appealing, reflecting the spirit of the resort's culinary experience even during peak tourist season. Although tiring, it was very fun and rewarding to complete the project.

PV: So, what are the challenges of being a food photographer?

Quang Huy:The biggest challenge for food photographers is maintaining their passion. They must constantly update their knowledge of dishes and ingredients to understand why a dish is delicious, its cultural story behind it, and how to eat it. They must innovate and be creative while still maintaining a unique style so that clients are impressed and seek them out in this market.

The commonality in photography in general is the use of similar techniques, equipment, and lighting to create beautiful and attractive images. However, food photography is completely different; all lighting and post-processing techniques must ensure that the food looks as appetizing as possible in the photograph. Photographers and food stylists must have knowledge of the food and ingredients to discover the beauty and deliciousness in the dish. Therefore, food photography is not just about beauty, but also about appetizing.

PV: How can I take a beautiful photo of food?

Quang Huy:Taking a beautiful food photo isn't too difficult; you can even use your phone. Just make sure you feel like this is the dish you want to eat and identify the most appealing and delicious ingredients. Arrange things a little and then take the picture. Next, the most important tip is to choose a location with the best lighting and direction – backlighting, or simply put, facing away from the sun. The more sunlight, the better. This will make your food stand out and look more appealing. Remember not to clutter the main subject with too many things to avoid a messy look that overshadows the food. If the picture looks mouthwatering, then you've succeeded!

PV: What do young people who want to become food photographers need to prepare?

Quang Huy:To become a food photographer, the first thing you need to do and maintain is to develop the habit of looking at beautiful food photos every day. This will allow your eyes to become accustomed to beauty, enabling you to recognize and evaluate what makes a picture beautiful and what makes it flawed. Learn from professionals, practice, and experiment with taking photos of the dishes you eat daily using the simplest equipment: your phone and natural light. Because starting out is always difficult, you need to gain experience to see if you're suited for it. Be persistent and determined in the work you pursue, and I believe you will succeed.

Interviewer: Thank you very much!

April