Field notes on food photography.
Long-form essays from inside the studio: lighting Egyptian cuisine, the case for in-camera color, why pre-production is the only thing that actually matters. Updated quarterly, written by Magy.
Lead Essay · 9 min read
Why your menu photography is killing your conversions
Most digital menus are losing customers in the first three seconds. The photography is doing it.
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11 min read · August 2024
Lighting Egyptian cuisine: a styling primer
Why molokheya, koshary and ful all need different light — and what most photographers get wrong about Egyptian food.
8 min read · July 2024
Pre-production: the real reason shoots succeed
Most failed shoots fail before the camera comes out of the bag. Here's how we run pre-pro at Magy Studios.
13 min read · June 2024
Cookbook production in Egypt: a complete guide
What it actually takes to shoot a real, printable, retail-ready cookbook from Cairo. Two years of production lessons.
10 min read · May 2024
The case for in-camera color over post-production
Heavy grading is now standard in food photography. We think it's a mistake. Here's why we still get color right in the camera.