ASSIGNMENT SIX: PIZZA

ASSIGNMENT: PIZZA: WONDER FOOD OF THE GODS

IMPORTANT:

You have to bring your style into the images now. How to make a pizza photograph is pretty easy, right? Softbox and fill card. But this is a pizza shot for a restaurant that is willing to step outside the box, create something unique.

Bring that uniqueness to your photo. Pizza in a box… meh… Show us something that will amaze us as it catches our eyes.

THE BRIEF:

What the client wants is a shot of her pizza as a homemade favorite. They use all traditional ingredients, and they use fresh ingredients whenever possible. They add little twists to the popular pizza dish by creating new and extraordinary blends of ingredients.

Sausage, mushroom, and stuffed jalapenos for one.
Taco, tostada, and enchilada pizza.
Veggie pizza with olive oil and croutons.
Sushi pizza.

Deliverables:

POP poster (3’x4′) for instore and exterior use.
Be sure to make the image and words big enough to be seen from about 20 feet away. This is important as the poster will be used to bring in hungry customers.

Additional deliverable. 
The same poster resized (to square) to be used on social media.

Creative stuff.

The image needs to portray a simple, homemade experience. People are optional, but the pizza MUST be the focus of the image and quite clearly, it is a hero shot.

No colorful napkins, red-checked cloth, or any other overly cliche pizza thing. It can have an adult beverage, but there is no demand to include it.

Pizza
Ingredients
Meal implements
An interesting POV
Clearly, this is a hero shot

Shooting Pizza.

You must photograph it when it is quite hot. So if it is a store or pizza restaurant-purchased item, you will have to quickly and shortly reheat it till the cheese is shiny and there are bubbles in the oils and meats. This can be a tricky time thing, so make sure you use a stand-in to get it all ready before the pie goes in for last minute shot.

Also, a spritzer of 1/2 glycerine and 1/2 water can be used to freshen it up but very, very slightly. Olive oil and a small watercolor brush may also be used to keep meat and cheeses from looking dried out.

Try adding fresh greens just before you put the pizza back in for reheat so they maintain some crispness and freshness as well.

SHOT IDEAS

1. Classic Overhead Shot: Capture the pizza from above, showing all the toppings in their glory. Place it on a rustic wooden table with a scattering of flour and fresh basil leaves around.
2. The Slice Lift: Focus on a single slice being lifted away, with stretchy cheese creating tantalizing strands. The background could be the remaining pizza, slightly blurred to keep the focus on the slice.
3. Side Profile: Showcase the layers of the pizza by shooting from the side. A dark background can help to highlight the vibrant colors of the toppings and the golden crust.
4. Ingredient Surround: Before baking, arrange the raw ingredients around the pizza – like cheese, tomatoes, and herbs – to tell the story of the freshness and quality of the components.
5. Action Shot: Capture the moment of slicing the pizza, with the pizza cutter in motion. Maybe some toppings are slightly jumping off, adding a dynamic feel.
6. The Box Experience: Photograph the pizza inside a classic pizza box, maybe on a city bench or an urban setting, evoking the feeling of a quick, delicious meal on the go.
7. Close-Up Textures: Get a macro shot focusing on the texture of the pizza – the bubbling cheese, crispy crust, or the glistening olive oil on top.
8. With a Pairing: Photograph the pizza with a perfect pairing, like a glass of wine, a craft beer, or a refreshing soda. Use the drink to add depth to the composition.
9. Hand Model: Include a person’s hands serving a slice or garnishing the pizza with some grated cheese or chili flakes, adding a human touch.
10. Evening Ambiance: Create a cozy evening setting with soft lighting, maybe a candle or two, and the pizza taking center stage on a beautiful table setting.