Francesco Tonelli (1968 - Present)
Background
Francesco Tonelli is a cook and food photographer born in Italy, raised in Milan. Following jobs in many European restaurants, Tonelli became a professor of culinary arts at the Culinary Institute of America and a food stylist in Milan. He learned about cooking and food from his mum and watching her. He took his first food photos when he taught at the CIA, but his camera was outdated and he was inexperienced. After years of experiementing, but more importantly, Tonelli’s great understanding of food has helped him become an amazing food photographer.
Francesco Tonelli is a cook and food photographer born in Italy, raised in Milan. Following jobs in many European restaurants, Tonelli became a professor of culinary arts at the Culinary Institute of America and a food stylist in Milan. He learned about cooking and food from his mum and watching her. He took his first food photos when he taught at the CIA, but his camera was outdated and he was inexperienced. After years of experiementing, but more importantly, Tonelli’s great understanding of food has helped him become an amazing food photographer.
Style
Tonelli’s photos are colorful and vibrant, and the team puts a lot of effort into arranging the food. He is very different because he styles and caters himself, which made him unpopular with other photographers at the time. His photos were crisp and clean, which also differed from the popular methods, which were more subdued. He uses plain backdrops because he wants to “let the food and dishes to speak for themselves.” A friend in Milan taught Francesco his methods of lighting photos using a light in a crate with parchment paper.
Tonelli’s photos are colorful and vibrant, and the team puts a lot of effort into arranging the food. He is very different because he styles and caters himself, which made him unpopular with other photographers at the time. His photos were crisp and clean, which also differed from the popular methods, which were more subdued. He uses plain backdrops because he wants to “let the food and dishes to speak for themselves.” A friend in Milan taught Francesco his methods of lighting photos using a light in a crate with parchment paper.
Philosophy
When a client comes to Francesco’s studio, he is very hospitable. He treats them to fresh food at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Francesco tries to take his clients on a journey with food, and make them feel hungry. He creates relationships with his clients and with food. He also communicates a lot with his clients to talk about their shoots. He works with them through every step, arranging, lighting, and finally shooting.
When a client comes to Francesco’s studio, he is very hospitable. He treats them to fresh food at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Francesco tries to take his clients on a journey with food, and make them feel hungry. He creates relationships with his clients and with food. He also communicates a lot with his clients to talk about their shoots. He works with them through every step, arranging, lighting, and finally shooting.
Influence
I too love food and cooking, and I have my whole life. After seeing Tonelli’s work, I have tried my own food photography for various projects. I think food has a great potential for photographs. It can be colorful and playful, or neat and formal. I think taking food photography best represents me and my style.
I too love food and cooking, and I have my whole life. After seeing Tonelli’s work, I have tried my own food photography for various projects. I think food has a great potential for photographs. It can be colorful and playful, or neat and formal. I think taking food photography best represents me and my style.
Compare and Contrast
In the first image, his photo was much brighter and the glow is contained and it doesn’t leak onto the background. I had to darken the room so the glow would show in the photo. Later, I used Photoshop to lighten the background. In the second image, my cherries are slightly darker, so the spray is less noticeable compared to his. I set up a white sheet so the background is plain, just like in the original. In the third image, Tonelli was able to zoom in more on the avocado because he used a macro lens. With my camera, I was still able to use a short focal length and the back of the avocado was blurred.
In the first image, his photo was much brighter and the glow is contained and it doesn’t leak onto the background. I had to darken the room so the glow would show in the photo. Later, I used Photoshop to lighten the background. In the second image, my cherries are slightly darker, so the spray is less noticeable compared to his. I set up a white sheet so the background is plain, just like in the original. In the third image, Tonelli was able to zoom in more on the avocado because he used a macro lens. With my camera, I was still able to use a short focal length and the back of the avocado was blurred.
Artist Statement
These photos represent me and my love for food. I like these images because they capture the beauty of single elements, and not a whole dish. I think the simplicity is part of what makes these photographs good. I think the images also make use from light in interesting ways, like illuminating the pasta from below. The photos are really clean and crisp.
These photos represent me and my love for food. I like these images because they capture the beauty of single elements, and not a whole dish. I think the simplicity is part of what makes these photographs good. I think the images also make use from light in interesting ways, like illuminating the pasta from below. The photos are really clean and crisp.
Sources
1. Untitled (Pasta) https://www.francescotonelli.com/FOOD/Raw-Ingredients/5
2. Untitled (Cherries) https://www.francescotonelli.com/FOOD/Raw-Ingredients/23
3. Untitled (Avocado) https://www.francescotonelli.com/FOOD/Raw-Ingredients/76
https://ppmag.com/profiles/francesco-tonellis-deliciously-different-food-photography
https://www.francescotonelli.com/ABOUT/1
https://medium.com/@Happicamp/francesco-tonelli-from-master-chef-to-photographer-df4fc2b2b67
1. Untitled (Pasta) https://www.francescotonelli.com/FOOD/Raw-Ingredients/5
2. Untitled (Cherries) https://www.francescotonelli.com/FOOD/Raw-Ingredients/23
3. Untitled (Avocado) https://www.francescotonelli.com/FOOD/Raw-Ingredients/76
https://ppmag.com/profiles/francesco-tonellis-deliciously-different-food-photography
https://www.francescotonelli.com/ABOUT/1
https://medium.com/@Happicamp/francesco-tonelli-from-master-chef-to-photographer-df4fc2b2b67