Food Photography Tips
Get the most out of your food pictures using food photography tips
You should use the same
basic photography principles for food photography that you do for other
types of photography, especially still life. Try for soft shadows, good colour and
sharp
exposure. If you’re using
a DSLR,
consider shooting in RAW. A tripod is essential especially for long exposures. Use
your artistic flair to get the most out of you’re subject.
Food for photography or consumption.
You need to be ware that food for photography isn’t the same as food for consumption.
The food has got to look good, not taste good. It doesn’t even have to be edible
so adding ink and paper to a cake for example is quite acceptable. It’s not unknown
for food photographers to add colourerd modelling clay shaped to look like iceing.
Inspiration
The best place to start is to get some inspiration from other photographer’s pictures.
Study their pictures, pick out the aspects that you like and add them into your
pictures. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Experiment with single pieces and multiple
pieces, place mats and napkins. Try adding drinks and bottles in the background
and maybe silverware and candles.
Picture Backdrop
There are many different possibilities for the back drop of a food photography picture.
Starting with the natural location of the item of food such as a kitchen, island,
fully set
dining table to manufactured backgrounds such as
food surrounded by other similar food types which will may be slightly blurred using
shallow depth of field. If you photograph a single item of food such as a muffin,
or sprig of asparagus you will possibly want to isolate it. This can be done using
shall depth of filed but more commonly with a plan background achieved using either
a light box or plain card with the food item placed on top. You could even use lightly
patterned card but anything too brash will take the viewer attention away from the
centre piece.
Equipment
You will need a tripod, which could be a table top type but preferably full size.
You’ll also need a cable release to prevent any camera shaking when the picture
is taken. A 50mm ‘portrait’ lens is a good one to use and preferably a 70-200mm
zoom lens. If you have a point-and-click, make sure it has a macro mode.
Remember to take your time. Try different back grounds and support. Try single such
as a cup cake then maybe try a whole collection of cake. Then try one half eats
with a napkin next to it. Down load them to your PC and see which is best.
Here at Food Photography Tips we hope you’ve enjoyed this article on food photography.
Why not try one of our other Photography Tips article. Check the menu down the left
of this page.