Q&A with Neil White
We chat with Neil White, photographer (and friend), who has photographed the farm throughout the seasons, many of his images you will see on the website and our Instagram feed. Somerset based Neil specialises in food photography and shares some of his top tips with us.
Neil, you live in Somerset now, but what’s your background?
I was actually born and bred in Somerset, making me a true West Country boy! Initially my schooling nudged me towards a career in computers rather than photography but I lived on the edge of a rural farming area and most weekends in my early teens, I would take my old Canon camera out around the countryside and be snapping away. I’m proud to say I used film when it was the only medium available, and not just for nostalgia!
After flutters into the world of wearing a tie and tapping keyboards, I started assisting fashion photographers in the Bristol area, who taught me much about lighting - learning this process of commercial photography became invaluable for me in later life. Lured by the bright lights of the city, I moved to London in my twenties working as a photographer on the edge of Soho for a high street retailer. I managed about 5 years, moving back to Somerset was a literal breath of fresh air and I set up a studio. I now live in a village on the outskirts of Taunton with my wife Kate, two teenage daughters and a scruffy fox terrier.
And how did you get into food / lifestyle photography
Much of my work in the early days was very commercial, although many projects were enjoyable, some were quite soulless and left me wanting to shoot something more natural. Quite by accident I met a now friend, who worked at Sharpham Park and I ended up collaborating on a charity project with Roger Saul and his team promoting the benefits of British organic spelt. Shooting and meeting some wonderful chefs and their food, one thing led to another and it set me on a path I happily tread today!
What are the challenges with photographing food
Not scoffing it before you shoot it, it’s happened!
Different projects hold and present their diverse challenges, working closely with a food stylist and art director or client is so very important on many projects. And so is planning a day so that it runs smoothly - this is crucial and the key! If you can plan your shots, construct the set and nail the timing of the dish to hit the table and achieve the shot then all good, but if you are trying to find focus as that soufflé gently turns into a pancake, then not so good! In the end you are trying to do the subject justice, sometimes that subject needs a little more love than others, and that’s a healthy challenge.
Any tips for budding food photographers
Try, as much as possible, to keep it simple. We are all guilty of over complicating at some point, but you must let the food do the talking. Plan ahead, it’s really no good thinking about what plate or surface you are going to use just before you are ready to shoot, a lot of the work and vital preparation is done before you even pick up the camera. I also would advise using a tripod, some people don’t, but for me I like to have my hands free so as to nail the angle which I am shooting from the start.
What are your hobbies outside work? I hear you are a master baker!
Yes I bake lots [!], although I wouldn’t say I’m a master by any means, same as photography, you learn something new every day and keep evolving. A few years ago I made it to the final auditions of ‘The Great British Bake Off’ and was fortunate enough to bake Mary’s scone recipe for her, she smiled and gave me praise and I felt like I had been knighted by the Queen. Paul on the other hand gave me a rough time over my loaf, it was like good cop, bad cop.
I have also dipped my toe into the world of home curing and smoking. I built myself a smoker in the garden and make my own bacon, game and smoked salmon. Right now, there are 3 cured duck breasts gently being smoked over beech wood, closely guarded by my fox terrier…