They say we “eat with our eyes” and research even supports the fact that food that looks good, tastes good. Join forager, herbalist and chef Jess Starwood in an immersive full day workshop for hands-on experience plating and shooting a picture perfect dish. This immersive and comprehensive workshop introduces chefs and home cooks alike to useful and creative techniques to enhance your food stories whether for documentation or to stand out in our heavily visual world of media.
Topics covered:
Composition
Developing a food concept
Color Theory
Plating techniques using seasonal wild foods
Visual balance
Garnishes
Texture
Working with light and shadow
Essential and non-essential photography gear
Natural & artificial lighting
Setting up a photo studio
Selecting and using props
Developing your style
Post-editing
Students will be assigned three photo challenges to complete in class using wild foods and receive constructive feedback to improve technique and develop style.
Requirement: You must bring your own digital camera (DSLR, point and shoot, smart phone) that you can email the files to the instructor during class to be used in the showcase at the end of the day for feedback. It will be very helpful to have basic knowledge of how your camera works.
Optional: You may bring your own props (plates, bowls, silverware, linens) but not required.
Date & Time: September 12, 2021 10am-5pm
Location: Thousand Oaks, CA (no virtual option available at this time)
Class Registration Fee: $225
Payment is required to hold your space in class. Please send via Venmo to @theforesttable Questions on payment methods? Email jess@jstarwood.com
Your instructor:
Jess Starwood
Before devoting her life to wild food and herbal medicine, Jess Starwood completed her undergraduate degree in art and design at California State University Channel Islands. She spent many years as a freelance designer and art director working with high end clients in the luxury hotel and resort industry. While no longer designing or photographing as her main focus, it remains the vehicle which has helped to capture the essence of her work in wild food. Her dramatic photography and whimsically styled dishes have graced the cover of Edible Ojai & Ventura County multiple times and was named one of the most creative chefs in Ventura County. She is the author and photographer of the upcoming Mushroom Wanderland: A Forager’s Guide to Finding, Identifying and Using More than 25 Fungi, available from Countryman Press.
Registration:
Class size is limited for direct teacher instruction. Payment secures your spot in class. Venmo preferred.
Date & Time: September 12, 2021 10am-5pm
Location: Thousand Oaks, CA (no virtual option available at this time)
Class Registration Fee + Wild-Inspired Lunch: $325
Payment is required to hold your space in class. Please send via Venmo to @theforesttable Questions on payment methods? Email jess@jstarwood.com
Jess Starwood 
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