Embedded Files
Strategies for Beautiful & Tempting Food Photography
Strategies for Beautiful & Tempting Food Photography
Food makes an excellent subject for still life photography, and there are certain strategies for making the most of the stunning colors, textures and shapes.
VIEW: HHS STUDENT WORK, TIPS
INSPIRATION: food-photographers-instagram
1. Shoot In Natural Light
1. Shoot In Natural Light
Light is the key to creating beautiful still life photos -- shoot your food pictures in natural daylight rather than under artificial lighting.
Light is the key to creating beautiful still life photos -- shoot your food pictures in natural daylight rather than under artificial lighting.
Artificial light (lamp light) might cast an ugly orange or yellow color in your photo.
Color is extremely important in food photography as you want the colors of the food, plates and background elements to appear accurate. You don’t want your white rice, white plates, or white table cloth to look orange.
Daylight provides a more neutral colored light.
Overcast days are perfect for food photography because the clouds act like a giant diffuser, creating a soft light with more subtle shadows.
Overcast days are perfect for food photography because the clouds act like a giant diffuser, creating a soft light with more subtle shadows.
When you’re shooting indoors, use the natural light from windows to illuminate your subject.
2. Take Control Of The Shadows
2. Take Control Of The Shadows
Shadows can add depth and visual interest, but sometimes they can dominate too much of the picture.
Strong directional sunlight will cast hard, dark shadows, whereas an overcast day creates a more diffused light, making the shadows much softer.
Position your reflector on the side where the shadows are, so that the reflector is facing the sun. The light from the sun will hit the reflector and bounce back onto the subject, brightening up the shadows.
Position your reflector on the side where the shadows are, so that the reflector is facing the sun. The light from the sun will hit the reflector and bounce back onto the subject, brightening up the shadows.
3. Use a Neutral Background
3. Use a Neutral Background
If the background is too messy or colorful, the viewer’s attention will be drawn away from the food.
3 main types that work really well for food photography:
Light backgrounds
Dark backgrounds
Wooden (brown) backgrounds.
Dark food usually looks good on a dark background, and light colored food looks good on a light background.
Objects to consider: wooden table, tea towels, tablecloths, white fabrics & subtle patterns, black chalkboard, carpet, rug, tiles, baking paper, a baking tray or a newspaper.
4. Think About Color
4. Think About Color
Colors have a big impact on your composition and they can affect the overall feel of the image.
Using similar colors: creates a harmonious composition, evoking feelings of comfort & tranquility.
Using contrasting colors: creates a vibrant, dynamic & exciting image that stimulates the viewer’s emotions in a different way.
Create color contrast between the background and the food, or use contrasting colors in the food itself.
Create color contrast between the background and the food, or use contrasting colors in the food itself.
5. Shoot From the Best Angle
5. Shoot From the Best Angle
Shooting from above is often the best choice:
Shooting from above is often the best choice:
allows you to include all the details of the food and the background
emphasizes the bold shapes of the dishes, cutlery and other objects within the scene.
easier to create a strong and balanced composition, allowing you to arrange the elements on the surface.
eliminate any distracting backgrounds in a busy room, or at an outdoor location.
However, if your subject has some interesting layers (a slice of cake), consider shooting from one side.
However, if your subject has some interesting layers (a slice of cake), consider shooting from one side.
OR Shoot diagonally to include both the side view and the top view in order to capture the three dimensional shape of the subject.
6. Arrange Your Food Neatly
6. Arrange Your Food Neatly
Composition is the key to great food photography, and the position of each element in the scene should be carefully thought out. A simple minimalist composition can often create the strongest impact.
If there are any spillages, clean them up before you take the photo. There shouldn’t be any unnecessary mess in your picture.
7. Give Your Subject Some Breathing Space
7. Give Your Subject Some Breathing Space
Consider leaving some breathing space around the plate so that it doesn’t fill the entire frame.
Leaving some empty negative space will often create a more pleasing composition and place more emphasis on the shapes of your subjects.
Leaving some empty negative space will often create a more pleasing composition and place more emphasis on the shapes of your subjects.
8. Decorate The Scene
8. Decorate The Scene
Include some of the dry ingredients that used when cooking the food -- this creates a “visual recipe”
You could create piles of different colored spices, or sprinkle part of the scene with a light dusting of a spice.
Food decorations: berries, fruit pieces, nuts, chocolate pieces and fresh herbs.
Non-food items: cutlery, cooking utensils, colored stones
Nature: flowers, Leaves acorns, chestnuts, pine cones, pebbles
9. Create A Story
9. Create A Story
Photography is a great way to tell stories without using words. By adding more elements to your food photos, you can create interesting stories that draw the viewer into your image.
Think about what kind of objects you could use to help tell a dreamy, atmospheric or exciting story through your food photography.
Add an open book, teacup, a laptop, cookery books, blue sock monkey...
10. Add A Human Element
10. Add A Human Element
Adding a human element (an arm) to your food photos
creates a sense of presence for the viewer because it’s as if the photo was captured from their point of view.
create a sense of movement in an otherwise static scene.
Report abuse