Yum Tang – “Shooting food is the process of subtle action”

Creative Chair works up an appetite with Yum Tang

This week Creative Chair is in Beijing, China where we’re talking to Yum Tang about her food photography.

If you’re a fan of nominative determinism you’ll be happy to know the Yum focuses solely on the photography of food.

We’re not talking about the kind of photos you see behind on the menus in McDonald’s. No, Yum Tang’s work walks the line between commercial photography and art, and in doing so, allows us to see food from an entirely new perspective.

In this interview, we find out more about Yum Tang and her work, more of which you can see on Behance.

Can you tell us more about yourself and what you do?

I’m a professional photographer, I just focus on food, and I’m also a food designer.

I have always liked to eat, I will understand and familiar with the characteristics of food, it is also conducive to better shooting.

How did you get involved in photography?

Well，first I do more conception work for each project，like concept colour, shape，instruction， picture composition. Secondly，I often go to the food market to choose ingredients by myself. I only find the best ingredients for the good view, furthermore, I do many tests to realise the effect I want to pursue.

 “I think the most important thing is to discover the personality of things. Every kind of food has a different colour, texture, detail, shape, smell. Remove the taste, from another point of view of the food as my model to shoot.”

Where do you get the ideas for your unique style of food photography?

I am inspired by paintings.

What do you do with all the food after you’ve photographed it?

I’m not a good cook, so I choose to give my friends a lot!

Which of your projects are you most proud of?

Of course, is “watercolor food”, because It combines painting, food, design and creativity, It’s special.

Some of the quotes in this article were translated from Poco.cn.