Food Photography, for me, combines Still Life and Portraiture Photography, aiming to make the subject, food, look as beautiful and mouth-watering as possible. In this blog post, I strive to whet your appetite by offering a short menu of tips and guidance on creating great food photographs. The essentials of photography (including understanding light, the technical aspects of your camera, composition, style and colour) are the same for food photography as for all branches of photography. However, amateur photographers may have some specific challenges shooting food in their homes and restaurants. There are nuances that come with food photography, namely, the colours, the textures, the temperature of the food and the different serving dishes and props.

Natural, Soft, Diffuse Lighting

• For food photography, natural light is best.
• Position your subject near a window to harness soft, diffused light in your home. If you have softboxes of diffusers, you can use them to control and shape the light. Reflectors or bounce cards can fill in the shadows. Putting a white sheet over a window can also create diffuse lighting.
• In a restaurant where you don’t have control over the setting, the best strategy is to go at lunch and ask for a table near a window or under a roof shade or an umbrella. Indoor lighting in restaurants can create colour casts that make the food look unnatural and unappetizing.
• Be aware that when photographing shiny objects like silverware, glasses, liquids and glistening food, you can get unwanted reflections and blown-out highlights that take a lot of time and effort to remove in photo editing.
• Tripods provide stability, especially in low-light situations or when using lower shutter speeds.

Composition and Camera Angles:

• The composition for food photographs is the same as for other genres of photography. Use the rule of thirds, the golden ratio or other compositional rules, or ignore them for deliberate effect. Sauce drizzles, serving spoons, a carving knife or other props can be used to create leading lines.
• Overhead shots at 90⁰ are great for classic pictures of flat food like pizza, cookies, fruit pies and quiche, full plates of food, trays of food, and tablescapes. From this angle, everything is on the same plane.
• If you are photographing something with height or food with layers, for example, cupcakes on a cake stand, a hamburger or a layer cake, then shooting from the front rather than an overhead shot is required to show the food to its best advantage. When shooting from the front experiment with various angles and perspectives to find the most appetizing presentation. Focus on the front of the food and, play with depth of field and decide how much of the food you want in focus. Most professional food shots don’t show the whole plate; they are close-up ‘portraits’ of the food with the background in soft focus. A macro lens can capture intricate details, perfect for showcasing textures in food.
• Getting a clean shot in a restaurant can often require moving distracting elements such as drink glasses, salt and pepper shakers, napkins, etc., away from the plate or serving dish and out of camera range.
• When photographing food prepared in your home or in a restaurant that will be eaten afterwards, you need to do as much of the setup and preparation as you can in advance. The appearance of some foods can deteriorate quite quickly: sauces can develop a skin, fat can congeal, ice cream can melt, and whipped cream can lose its texture. If, like me, you are the cook and the photographer, you can take your time photographing the food preparation, but you can’t keep guests waiting a long while for their meal that you are photographing in the kitchen.

Styling Strategies and Props:

• Mindful prop selection can enhance the story, but props should never upstage the food, which is the show's star.
• Think rustic for hearty meals and minimalist for modern cuisine.
• Pay special attention to details like garnishes, sauce drizzles or steam that add life to your shot.
• Include foods that will be served with the subject like naan and chutney with a curry dish, or jam and butter with scones or croissants.
• Cake stands and chopping boards can be helpful to elevate the food.
• Select plates, tablecloths, napkins and tableware to compliment food.
• Employ styling tools, like tweezers and brushes, for meticulous arrangement and presentation.

Colour and Harmony:

• Consider the food’s natural colour and surroundings and maintain a consistent colour scheme for a cohesive look. Use colour charts and calibrated monitors for a professional approach.
• Complementary colours (opposite on the colour wheel) can vibrate your image.

Post-Production:

• In post-production, meticulously address distractions like crumbs or stray elements to achieve a spotless look.
• Use editing tools to enhance textures and ensure a polished final image.
• Employ layers and masks for nuanced adjustments, maintaining the integrity of the composition.

Final Thoughts:

Food photography is more than capturing a meal or a gourmet treat; it’s about telling a flavourful story. So grab your gear, explore and savour every shot!

Food Photography – Tips on Capturing Culinary Delights
by Susan Ince, DMCC Member