Have you ever taken a photo of a mouth-watering, succulent meal – only to have it appear bland, boring, and unappetizing? No one wants to eat food that doesn't look delicious. Check out the following food photography tips to learn how to make sure that your shots always tempt the taste buds.
Background and Composition
Before taking any photos, think carefully about each item in the shot. Do you want the salt and pepper shakers in the photo? Or would you prefer a clean shot of just the plated meal? Take a look at the color of the background as well. A white bowl on a white tablecloth will look less appealing than the same bowl on, say, a blue or red tablecloth. You also need to consider the colors of the food itself. For instance, a green background may not be the best choice to showcase glazed Brussels sprouts.
For great food photography, you will also want to make sure that the food itself is well-composed. This might mean artfully arranging the nuts and sprinkles on a sundae or positioning the steak and potatoes in an attractive manner. Don't neglect the garnish, as it can make or break a food photo.
Lighting
Natural lighting is usually best for food photography. Try shooting during the day whenever possible. Indirect daylight, such as a a shady spot on a sunny day or near a sunny window, is the ideal type of lighting as it keeps the food looking fresh and bright. Stay away from direct sunlight, though, as it can create harsh shadows and alter the colors of the food in your shots.
For indoor food photography, try using backlight to make your meal look tasty. Backlight can help to show the steam coming off of your fajitas and can help make a salad look crisp and fresh. Whenever you can, avoid bouncing the flash directly off of the food as it will create harsh reflections and make your food look uninviting.
Background and Composition
Before taking any photos, think carefully about each item in the shot. Do you want the salt and pepper shakers in the photo? Or would you prefer a clean shot of just the plated meal? Take a look at the color of the background as well. A white bowl on a white tablecloth will look less appealing than the same bowl on, say, a blue or red tablecloth. You also need to consider the colors of the food itself. For instance, a green background may not be the best choice to showcase glazed Brussels sprouts.
For great food photography, you will also want to make sure that the food itself is well-composed. This might mean artfully arranging the nuts and sprinkles on a sundae or positioning the steak and potatoes in an attractive manner. Don't neglect the garnish, as it can make or break a food photo.
Lighting
Natural lighting is usually best for food photography. Try shooting during the day whenever possible. Indirect daylight, such as a a shady spot on a sunny day or near a sunny window, is the ideal type of lighting as it keeps the food looking fresh and bright. Stay away from direct sunlight, though, as it can create harsh shadows and alter the colors of the food in your shots.
For indoor food photography, try using backlight to make your meal look tasty. Backlight can help to show the steam coming off of your fajitas and can help make a salad look crisp and fresh. Whenever you can, avoid bouncing the flash directly off of the food as it will create harsh reflections and make your food look uninviting.
Camera Angle and Distance
Looking directly down on a plate from above will not work for every type of food photography, nor will a side angle. Think about it: shooting a cheeseburger from above or a pot pie from the side just doesn't make sense. Experiment with a variety of angles as you shoot in order to find the one that best suits the food.
You'll get high-quality shots if you get in close – physically close -- to the food. Positioning yourself close to plate level is a great way to capture the food in an interesting and artistic manner and is also helpful in determining which angles to try.
Food Tricks
Be prepared. Many foods look amazing fresh out of the oven, but they may look less appetizing as time goes on. It is important to be ready to shoot quickly to avoid food melting, collapsing, or wilting before you can get a decent shot.
There are also a few little cheats you can use to make your food photography turn out well. You can make vegetables glisten, for instance, by brushing on a bit of vegetable oil before shooting. Or, if your food has lost its steam, create your own by microwaving a few cotton balls and hiding them in the shot. And, of course, you can always edit your photos after the shoot to correct white balance or adjust the brightness and contrast.
These tips should help improve your food photography, but nothing replaces experience. Practice frequently and take lots of shots to develop your technique.
Looking directly down on a plate from above will not work for every type of food photography, nor will a side angle. Think about it: shooting a cheeseburger from above or a pot pie from the side just doesn't make sense. Experiment with a variety of angles as you shoot in order to find the one that best suits the food.
You'll get high-quality shots if you get in close – physically close -- to the food. Positioning yourself close to plate level is a great way to capture the food in an interesting and artistic manner and is also helpful in determining which angles to try.
Food Tricks
Be prepared. Many foods look amazing fresh out of the oven, but they may look less appetizing as time goes on. It is important to be ready to shoot quickly to avoid food melting, collapsing, or wilting before you can get a decent shot.
There are also a few little cheats you can use to make your food photography turn out well. You can make vegetables glisten, for instance, by brushing on a bit of vegetable oil before shooting. Or, if your food has lost its steam, create your own by microwaving a few cotton balls and hiding them in the shot. And, of course, you can always edit your photos after the shoot to correct white balance or adjust the brightness and contrast.
These tips should help improve your food photography, but nothing replaces experience. Practice frequently and take lots of shots to develop your technique.
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