Easy Tips for Improving Your Food Photography

The proliferation of social media and image sharing sites such as Instagram and Facebook have led to a cultural phenomenon of people taking pictures of their food. However, not all food photography is created equal, and a lot of the amateur photos taken of delicious meals end up looking awkward and altogether not that appetizing. Here are a few tips for pumping up your food photography skills.

Setting
The food should be the focal point of the image, so be sure to remove any distracting background clutter. Choose something simple, like a tablecloth, and utilize a wide aperture to manipulate the depth of field, casting the unimportant parts of the image out of focus.

Re-plate if necessary
If you are shooting your own culinary creations, make sure the food is arranged in a way to make it interesting yet identifiable. When photographing food at a restaurant or from street vendors, don’t be afraid to re-plate the subjects to create a more dynamic and visually interesting presentation.

Perfect lighting
Lighting is perhaps the most important aspect of any type of photography. Try to use natural lighting whenever possible and never use the flash – it will overpower the subject and create unappealing shiny spots. Go for backlighting whenever possible as it will accentuate the freshness and crispness of the food as well as catch any steam.

Zoom in
Make sure your frame is full with food. Zooming in and using your camera’s macro setting will enhance the textures of the food. Getting in close also adds to the dramatic appeal of the shot.

Show the process
Often, the food you are shooting will look more visually interesting while it is cooking than when it is finished. For example, a blended dip with all the combined ingredients still individually identifiable is more dynamic than the finished, blended product.

Online culinary program students can use these tips to improve the visual appeal of their food blogs and social media accounts.

 

Recommended Posts