Photographer Research - Kimberly Davis

Kimberly Davis

Why I've chosen her

Kimberly Davis is a female photographer who I have chosen to look at and study in extra detail for many reasons; not only because of her food and drink theme. She doesn't individually just capture food based images, but she also specialises in interior and lifestyle photography which could be possible elements that I explore in my project. She likes to take photographs of "all things pretty"which is something that I can relate to on some level. I like to create images that look clean, slick and well thought out instead of dark, rustic and cluttered. I am definitely into all things bright and vibrant, and enjoy the photography technique high key lighting. Kimberly Davis has used this technique in an assortment of her photographs and her subjects are also food items that I was thinking about capturing when it comes to my shoots. Her work is exceptionally appealing because every item of food that she takes a photograph of looks edible through the screen, which is what food photographers should make their viewers want to do.

This pancake photograph is an example of what a lot of Davis' work looks like. She captures a variety of breakfast foods, exploring the continental treats that you'd find in places like Italy and France. She has created a plate of pancake towers, one clear and defined in the foreground and the other blurred and fuzzy in the background. Setting this composition out means that there is more for the audience to look at in the distance instead of having just 4 tiny pancakes in the frame. The more of this food there is, the extra indulgent it looks. The added syrup dripping from the top of the pancake down to the bottom in thick puddles looks extremely mouth watering and most certainly builds an appetite in the audience. A camera technique has been used in this image to exaggerate the subject. An intense blur has blocked out everything surrounding the front 4 pancakes allowing these to be more 'up in someone's face' instead of having equal definition on both pancake towers. One standing out more in the frame is a lot more dramatic and effective as an overall photograph. Also, the simplistic colours of beige and white compliment each other exceptionally well. There is no clutter in the frame, and the plate of food looks oddly clean for what it is; anything with syrup on could effect the graceful appearance it has the potential to have. 

This portrait photograph conveying a plate of cake slices looks extremely appetising. The slices create a 3D circle emerging from the plate into the viewers eye, which allows for the slices to look as though they have all come from the same one, even though five different cakes have been baked just to create the illusion of one. The toppings that I can make out from the image is cherries, truffle, chocolate, cream and perhaps ginger. These flavours are all extremely tasty but also very different. By having 5 different flavoured cakes presented in the frame as one illustrates a different flavour to a variety of different audiences. Through this technique, the image is able to grasp the attention of a mixed amount of people instead of just those who like chocolate cake for example. This technique could have been used for a certain brand that sells different flavoured cakes, advertising all five of them here in one image. Furthermore, there being an empty space in the circle formation adds a sense of enigma, as the audience may wonder what the sixth flavour of cake is. This could draw them into researching the brand or perhaps popping to the shop to find out. The image could have appeared a little extra natural if there were a few crumbs surrounding the cakes or on the place mat beneath the plate, just as an extra little touch.

The reason for me looking at this photograph is because it is different to Davis' other ones. This is more of an establishing shot, illustrating a whole setting with a mixture of food and drink all situated in different segments of the picnic blanket. Another reason as to why I like this photograph is because it has been captured through a birds eye view. I feel that having the camera look down on products mean that the viewers gets a better sense for the contents of a product instead of the  outer packaging. The picture is oozing with the theme of summer and warm weather. The vibrant multicoloured props and food in this picture are eye catching and have the connotation of positive emotions mixed with summer time fun. In this photograph is strawberry cheesecake, watermelon, cupcakes, ice cubes, chicken wings, sandwiches and cherries etc. These are all appetising foods that are eaten often around this season, therefore Davis' has successfully captured what Summer looks like through food; delicious and refreshing. I want to look at these positive colourful foods myself in my project, which is why looking at a lot of Davis' work means that I can get a feel for the type of foods I should and could create in my shoots. 

This last photograph of Davis' is a savoury dish in comparison to her sweet treats. The dish looks like it could be an appetiser or a starter for someone in an exquisite restaurant. The dish appears elegant and sophisticated, in comparison to what it could like if it was a plate of onion rings or garlic bread that are the usual starters for a lot of people. The amount of fresh colours in this dish is the main attraction in my opinion. The green tones and white vegetables are just screaming the word "healthy". Davis doesn't just capture foods for those who enjoy a high fat snack at times, but also for those who are perhaps on a diet or are eating clean. The eating clean theme is further emphasised by the bright white tablecloth that the plate is sat on, along with the white plate itself. White has the connotation of purity, so by Davis using this colour as the main theme could perhaps suggest to the audience how eating clean keeps your mental and physical well-being pure. I like the added pour of complimentary sauce in the top right hand corner of the frame. There is only a slight dribble of this liquid but it adds to the colours and delectable touch of the overall dish and photograph. 

How she has influenced me

Kimberly Davis influenced me with food photography. I wanted to create a set up like she did in her picnic picture. Hers was captured from a birds eye view, which is how I also shot my photograph. This way, I was able to photograph a set of ingredients without worrying about their proportions, because from a birds eye point of view you just need to situate the products in a way where they fill the frame rather than worrying about the products angles. I want to take more pictures similar to this one with more subjects in the frame and maybe hands and feet like Davis did. I also took an assortment of food photography in shoot 6 inspired by Davis with tasty treats that looked appealing, such as the cupcake one above.

Summary

Overall, Kimberly Davis' work is a visual scrumptious adventure. She really captures photographs of food that appear heavenly and inviting to the eye and to the tongue. Her savoury and sweet foods are the types of dishes that I'd like to cook up and photograph. She explores an effective amount of formal elements in her work which makes every single one eye-catching and visually pleasing. Davis' high key lighting technique is also something that I admire because of how bright and positive it makes her photographs look. This is something I want to explore, and Davis' has given me some of the inspiration that I need to do this successfully.