Food writing and photography with Felicity Cloake

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Food writing and photography with Felicity Cloake

By The Guardian Masterclasses

Date and time

Thursday, July 31, 2014 · 6:30 - 9:30pm GMT+1

Location

The Guardian

Kings Place 90 York Way London N1 9GU United Kingdom

Refund Policy

Contact the organizer to request a refund.

Description

Everything you need to know to start writing and photographing your own foodie content

Taking pleasure in a great meal is easy – capturing the gustatory experience in words or pictures is rather more of a challenge. If you'd like to express your love for food but don't know where to start, this intensive evening is for you.

Award-winning Guardian food writer Felicity Cloake and Guardian Cook photographer Tamin Jones provide a universal toolkit for enthusiasts and budding professionals alike, teaching attendees to photograph and write about food to a high standard, and pitch their ideas with confidence. This large-scale seminar covers the key skills necessary for all types of food coverage, including effective social media, readable features and practical recipes – as well as how to take beautiful pictures that do the ingredients justice.

Course description

This is a large-scale seminar offering a rounded introduction to the skills necessary for writing about and photographing food to a high standard. The evening comprises two in-depth talks, the first dealing with writing about food in various formats, from social media and blogging to recipes and long-form print articles. The second module deals with the essentials of food photography, from technical information on lighting and lenses and the most important types of shot to master – including instructional prep shots and food-porn 'hero shots' – to how to improve your chances of getting great results by collaborating with professional food stylists and home economists. Topics covered on the evening include:

  • Food writing: where to start?
  • Making the web work for you – blogging and social media
  • How to be your own editor
  • Recipe writing for professionals
  • Pitching to editors and the joys of freelancing
  • Shooting on location (or borrowing a photogenic kitchen)
  • Working with stylists, props and home economists
  • A practical guide to the right lighting, lens and camera
  • Food modelling – preparation and hero shots
  • The differing demands of editorial and commercial food photography

This course is for you if…

  • You're an aspiring food writer who wants to know how to work – and pitch – in various formats
  • You're an existing food blogger who wants to up your game, either by improving your blog, building your audience or pitching for paid commissions
  • You're a foodie who would like to start a blog dedicated to dining
  • This is an evening taster course – for more in-depth courses on writing about food, or launching a food brand of your own, click here for our complete range of suitable events

Speaker profiles

Felicity Cloake is a writer specialising in food and drink and winner of the 2011 Guild of Food Writers awards for Food Journalist of the Year and New Media of the Year. She is the author of Perfect and Perfect Host, both published by Fig Tree, and her third book, Perfect Too, will be out in May. She likes to think she'd try any food once – although an eyeball recently caused her to question this gung-ho gastronomic philosophy.

Tamin Jones is a freelance photographer who regularly contributes to the Guardian's Cook section. To see his food photography portfolio, visit his website.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website

Organized by

Welcome to Guardian Masterclasses – a unique programme of learning embedded within one of the world's most forward-thinking media organisations.

We offer a broad range of short and long courses across a variety of disciplines from creative writing, journalism, photography and design, film and digital media, music and cultural appreciation.

Harnessing the expertise and specialisms within the organisation, our courses are led by first class and award winning guardian professionals whilst also drawing on the skills and expertise of other leading figures at the forefront of the creative and digital industries.

The programme is aimed at anyone interested in personal or professional development whether that be refining your skills, focusing your ambition or simply broadening your mind and gaining inspiration.

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