Introduction
Food photography is just like still photography. The only difference is that your subject is not alive. Food is part of most cultures around the world. Food culture tells the story of the people. Food photography aims at capturing the stories that food tell. It is a form of art and thus needs photography skills. Thus, it is not just shooting food photos. It involves finding the right lighting, props, and color to your food. A good example of food photography is on cookbooks and recipes. These usually display colorful pictures of foods, which are always attractive. They have a balance between the background and the image itself. Food photography is becoming more common. People are shooting cooking processes, restaurants, and foods. The invention of social media has also made this field grow. Platforms like Instagram make it possible to share these recipes. It is a good way to connect with other chefs and other foodies. Using YouTube, one also posts videos on cooking tutorials. They are a great way of sharing information. This calls for photographers to learn better skills. Beginners need tips to help them start as photographers. Veterans also need tips to improve their skills. This is the perfect place for you to learn the skills to make your work better. Below are tricks for taking beautiful photos of your food:
1. Shoot under natural light
Natural light is the main ingredient for still life photography. Avoid using artificial light for your foods. This is because it changes the color and texture of the food. Also, avoid using flashes when taking food photographs. They produce artificial light, which is poor for food photos. Daylight is especially very lovely for food photography. Thus, place your table close to a window where there is natural light. The images will appear with their natural color and will look better. Another option is shooting outside. Natural diffused light is soft and is more neutral. It maintains the color of the background and cutlery used. Note that you should shoot out there is warm weather. Too much sunlight casts sharp shadows on the food. These shadows distract the focus on the food. So, choose this option when there are some clouds in the sky. They act as natural diffusers, hence making the shadows softer. Another option is to use a diffuser. For example, you can place a white bedsheet over the window. This will soften the light and take great pictures.
2. Shoot from different angles
Most photographers make the mistake of shooting from one angle. Experiment from different heights. While the above angle is a good shot, it is not the only one you can use. Go down to the plate level and take a good shot. Changing aspects helps you capture food from different perspectives. There are various angles that one can use for the best shots of food. It requires you to master the art of taking pictures of food. Some of the best angles include the up-close angle. This gives you a closer look at your food. It is the focus of your image. The other angle is one that images appear diagonally. Position your camera such that the image starts from one end of the camera to the other. You can also shoot from above. This way, the image is placed at the center of the camera. It gives it a graphic look. You can also shoot from above with perspective. The image fills the frame in this case. It is important you forget the rule of thirds now. Move around your subject to get better angles.
3. Shoot while the food is still fresh
The best shots of food are those taken while the food is still fresh. Also, food has a natural color when it is still fresh. Its appealing look fades with time. As a photographer, you must be quick on your feet. Start by preparing the table where the shoot will take place. Choose to include a stand-in plate that will be substituted later. Once the food is done, the cooking, switch the served place, and take the photos. This saves you time, and you get delicious shots of the food. Besides, shots of whole food on a plate are very appealing. You can decide to take shots of the food after some of it is eaten. This work-in-progress shot is also more appetizing. Some photographers choose to shoot food with steam. Steam rising gives the food a just cooked effect. This can be appealing to the viewers. It is difficult to achieve this effect naturally. Some of them choose to improve. For example, they use microwaved wet battles to produce the steam effect.
4. Capture the location and ambiance
The ambiance of the restaurant is important in food photography. Ambiance and location give a certain mood to the photos. It also makes the food and the restaurant stand out. Try and capture the lights or art in the restaurant. Also, add the table setting, the patrons, and other decorations. Provide your audience with the sense of the restaurant. Capture the mood that is romantic or somber. It will enhance the images you take. The artistic effect of any restaurant also makes the food appealing. Some will even add art pieces to give the restaurant a pleasant ambiance. This contributes to the appearance of the food they serve. Take note of cultured restaurants, such as Italian or Chinese. Strive to get shots of culture part of these meals. They will go a long way in appealing to new and existing customers.
5. Arrange your food neatly
A food photo is more appealing if the food is neatly arranged. You do not want to have a messy table for an image. The position of every element should be carefully thought through. Arrange the knives, forks, and the food appealingly. Do not clutter your table with other items. It will shift the focus from the food to the mess. Create neat patterns of your foods. Fruits create lovely patterns that make the meal appealing. Clean any spillages on the table before you take the photo.
6. Decorate the scene
Decorate the background of the photos. Use kitchen napkins to give the scene a new feel. Another option is to use dry ingredients to decorate the background. Small items make the scene more interesting. Choose the dry ingredients that you used in cooking to decorate. They create a visual recipe for the meal. Include colored spices on the table for an interesting feel. Another example, you can scoop a spoonful of ingredients and place them on the side.
Additionally, use berries, nuts, and fresh herbs. Also, use kitchen napkins to make the scene attractive. Use kitchen napkins that are colorful for a dramatic effect.
7. Choose simple tableware
Decorative tableware stands out on its own. They can increase the beauty of the meal. When they are too decorative, they distract the visual impact of the food. Choose plain tableware. Avoid too much color on the plates as they distract the photo. They make the food the subject of the picture. Simplicity is elegance. Aim to get shots at particular angles to make meals appear delicious. For instance, a whole roasted crispy chicken is more appealing than its pieces. This is a shot that makes the chicken more appealing.
8. Take photos of patrons, chefs or waiters
Taking photos of people preparing food is a bonus in food photography. Shots of the chefs, waiters, or patrons add a story to your photos. But you need their permission before taking the photos. Talk to the manager and the employees. Sometimes, they willingly accept to have their photos taken. Remember that they are not used to being in front of the camera. Create a mood that makes them ease up to the shoot. You can crack jokes to lighten the mood. This will make the shoot comfortable and thus good photos. The kitchen is also a great place to get good photos. You can get amazing photos of food being flipped on pans. You also get shots on prepared ingredients. Get pictures of chopped tomatoes, herbs, or laid out spices. They provide the in-progress work of the final meal. This is a great way of influencing your viewers to try the meal. This is also a good place to get shots of chefs in action. They are a simple way of telling the story of the meal. Note that there is low light in some kitchens, and the photos appear grainy. It is important to shoot on a slower shutter in the kitchens. Ensure that you are not in the way of the people to avoid any accidents.
9. Use negative space
Up-close photos of food give it an artistic and interesting look. They usually fill the whole frame of the photo. This works for some images, and it won’t work for others. Use negative space. This gives your photo space to breathe. This negative space is soothing to the eyes and the mind. It also creates a contrast between the meal and the background. Note that white backgrounds are very appealing to photos. They create an amazing contrast of colors between the food and the table. Yet, white is not the only background for your meals. Use simple yet plain colors for the tableware. It gives a different composition to the pictures.
10. Use the right equipment
Invest in good photography equipment. Food photography is an art. You would want to perfect it using the right tools. A good image is a result of the right shutter speed, exposure, and focal length of the camera. These are elements that are obtained from using the correct tools. Most beginners start with the point and shoot cameras. As you become more experienced, invest in a better camera. A Digital Single-Lens Reflex Camera (DSLR) is a good investment for food photography. The Nikon DSLR or the Canon DSLR are good options for you. Before purchasing a camera, ensure that it is user friendly — research on the camera features and price. Also, check online reviews to know if it suits you. Go for the camera that feels comfortable in your hands.
Besides, buy a separate lens to make the photos look better. The first tool is a tripod stand. Most people choose to use their cameras without the stand. This is especially true for those using phones. A tripod is important because it reduces any shakes during shooting. To get a good image, you must remain perfectly still. It is also used in lowering the heights to get the perfect shot. Most photographers use it to get the aerial and top-down angles for shooting. Another reason is that it is a secure place for your camera. A tripod holds your camera as you set your scene. It also allows you to focus on the subject manually. The other equipment is lenses. Lenses are the icing of having a camera. The final image you take depends on the lens you use. You must have the right lenses to get an image of the right quality. Decide between a wide-aperture lens or a fixed lens. Other equipment for your photography are diffusers and reflectors. You can get them from eBay at a low price. White foam boards are an option of cheap reflectors. These reduce the sharpness of light and create soft shadows. You also need props in your photography. Make sure you know your style first before buying props. You can identify your style through Pinterest boards. You can also use home décor items or your wardrobe. Draw inspiration from the things around you. Avoid buying items you will not use as props. It is a waste of money. You can buy your props from Etsy or eBay.
11. Food photography post-production
Post-Production is about making your photos look better. It is also known as photo manipulation, photoshopping, or image processing. Image processing is used to enhance the image. Editing an image makes it look more pleasing. This is important in food photography because it makes the food more appealing. Food is usually on magazine covers, Instagram, and cookbooks. A good food photo should make the viewer want to try out the meal. They should feel like the meal is calling out to them. To achieve this, you need editing software. One of the software that you can use is the adobe lightroom. This is an application you install on your phone for easy editing. This photo allows you to touch up your photos without losing their color.
The other editing option is sharpening. Digital cameras may have sharpened your images already. A film camera has better sharpness than a digital camera. The amount of sharpness you apply will depend on the lenses you used. Besides, if you are doing are large print image ensure you sharpen the image. Note that this editing technique should be the last to be applied. This is because it can distort other editing methods. Also, apply the sharpening in little amounts to avoid reducing its quality. Other lighting techniques that are used for editing are contrast and saturation. These should be used in small quantities to prevent changing the colors of the image. You would not want your food to change its original color. Lastly, white balance is another effect you can apply to your photos. The white balance effect ensures that whites are real whites in your photos. Note that lighting is the basic need for any good photo.
You can also edit photos that you have taken on your iPhone. There is a variety of filters that you can choose from. Go through all the filters to find one that fits the mood of the food. Vivid filters make the food more vibrant. Darker filters make the photos softer. They create a subdued more on the photos. The VSCO editing app is one of the best to use on the iPhone. This editing app has several one-touch filters to apply to your photos. Besides, there are individual adjustments to help to make editing better. Remember, less is more. Do not overuse the filters as they will strip the food of its originality. Subtle touches make the food more appealing.
Common photography issues
1. Blurry photos
Shaky hands lead to blurry photos. You need to stabilize your hands while handling the camera. This often takes time to master. With experience, you learn to be steady with the camera. Another solution is to buy a tripod stand. A tripod stand gives you the stability you need for clearer shots. A tripod stand with remote control will make the shoot easier. The other option is to use faster shutter speed. This way, you only open the aperture and move where there is light. You then take the photos without making them blurry. The other option is to increase the ISO factor. This usually decreases the amount of light on the image. But it will reduce the quality of the picture. The other issue that causes blurry photos is incorrect to focus. During shooting, ensure that your food gets the sharpest focus. This is always the front of the food. Check to amount of area you want to fill the frame. The focus should be at 100% magnification, and the depth of field not too shallow. This should give images are not blurry. You can check the magnification using your laptop.
2. Your colors aren’t lifelike
This happens when your photos appear green, pink, or blue. These are not the true colors of your food. Do not use such colors on your commercial platform. In this case, use the white balance effect to correct this issue. This can be done using editing software or the white balance effect on your phone.
3. Your photos do not appear professional
Using the wrong lenses will cause your photos to not ‘pop.’ The in-depth field lens is clearer photos. They narrow the field of the frame and focus on the food. They also use the contrast and sharpness effects to make the images pop.
4. Incorrect cropping
Most photographers make the mistake of cropping the photo too tight. Cropping can be done in editing software or using the phone. Some software used in editing is Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. When you shoot the image too close, you have less room for editing. Tip: try shooting with different crops. Also, shoot at a wide-angle to give you room when you want to crop your images. This maintains the composition of your image and makes it look better.
Conclusion
Food photography is a type of still photography. The main subject of this photography is food and beverages. One can also capture the cooking process and the people involved. It is a form of photography that has gained popularity very fast. The use of social media has made it more popular. Most photographers post their food pictures on Instagram. It is a platform that has connected most photographers. It takes time to become a professional photographer. You have to master the art of stabilizing your hands on the camera. You also need to need to learn how to focus on your subject and get the best shot. Some of the tips that help take good food photos include shooting in natural light. Natural light captures the color of the food. Artificial light makes it changes the color of the food. The other tip is to capture shots from different angles. Move around to ensure that you get all the angles of the food. Shoot at different heights and at close to the plate. Another trick is to avoid a messy background. A well-arranged meal is more attractive and exciting to the viewers. Also, choose simple and plain backgrounds to make the food stand out. Some of the common mistakes made in food photography include taking blurry photos. Other photographers will also take unfocused images. These are issues that can be solved using editing software. During editing, avoid overusing sharpness, contrast, and saturation. Remember that photography takes time to master. Remain patient and learn new skills to further your career.