Food photography

INTRODUCTION

1. Lighting

One of the best places to photograph food is by a window where there is plenty of natural light – perhaps supported with flash bounced off a ceiling or wall to give more balanced lighting that cuts out the shadows. This daylight helps to keep the food looking much more natural.

2. Props

Pay attention not only to the arrangement of the food itself but to the context that you put it in including the plate or bowl and any table settings around it. Don’t clutter the photo with a full table setting but consider one or two extra elements such as a glass, fork, flower or napkin. These elements can often be placed in secondary positions in the foreground or background of your shot.

3. Be Quick

One strategy that some use is to have the shot completely set up with props before the food is ready and then to substitute a stand-in plate to get your exposure right. Then when the food is ready you just switch the stand-in plate with the real thing and you’re ready to start shooting.

4. Style it

The way food is set out on the plate is as important as the way you photograph it. Pay attention to the balance of food in a shot (color, shapes etc) and leave a way into the shot (using leading lines and the rule of thirds to help guide your viewer’s eye into the dish). One of the best ways to learn is to get some cook books to see how the pros do it.

5. Enhance it

One tip that a photographer gave me last week when I said I was writing this was to have some vegetable oil on hand and to brush it over food to make it glisten in your shots.

6. Get Down Low

A mistake that many beginner food photographers make is taking shots that look down on a plate from directly above. While this can work in some circumstances – in most cases you’ll get a more better shot by shooting from down close to plate level (or slightly above it).

7. Macro

Really focusing in upon just one part of the dish can be an effective way of highlighting the different elements of it.

8. Steam

Having steam rising off your food can give it a ‘just cooked’ feel which some food photographers like. Of course this can be difficult to achieve naturally. I spoke with one food stylist a few years back who told me that they added steam with a number of artificial strategies including microwaving water soaked cotton balls and placing them behind food. This is probably a little advance for most of us – however it was an interesting trick so I thought I’d include it.

TIPS & TRICKS

1. Choose an angle that tells the story

Look at enough professional food photography, and you’ll start to see a pattern:

The same angles get used over and over again, such as the flat-lay shot from above and the low-over-the-table shot from the side.

I highly recommend you use these angles as your compositional starting points. However, don’t just select one at random; instead, you must carefully determine the correct angle for your shoot.

Why? Because where you place the camera will influence the type of story you tell. And when you get down to it, food photography is all about telling stories.

So as you set up your composition, think of the food. Notice its size, shape, height, and what makes it unique. Then angle the camera so as to best highlight these qualities.

Take a look at these salmon tacos:

Here, I wanted to show all the ingredients and beautiful shapes made by the tortillas and filling. The low-angle shot looks decent, but the overhead shot does a better job of telling the story.

2. Pick a hero object and surround it

A simple food photography setup should start with a hero object – that is, the focal point of your photoshoot, the item you want to highlight. Generally, this is the main dish.

So identify your hero object. Place it on the table.

And then surround it with props that relate to the food. Ingredients, sauces, oils, and cooking utensils can all tell the story of the food’s preparation. Tins, jars, herbs, glasses, fabrics, and linens can hint at the origin of the dish or the season in which it is served.

Don’t go overboard, of course, but do place a few objects in the foreground and background. These will elevate the story of the shot, plus they’ll give your composition physical depth.

In the image of baklava below, my props add to the story. You have the hero object – the bowl of food – but you also have the ingredients (the pistachios), as well as a few background items to add depth and set the scene. The viewer is instantly hit by a sense of place that describes the Arabic origins of this delicious sweet.

4. Use lines and layers for the best compositions

I’ve explained the importance of surrounding your hero object with props – but you need to ensure these props don’t distract from the main subject.

That’s where two easy composition techniques come into play: lines and layers.

You see, by carefully arranging your props in lines and layers, you can lead the audience’s eye to the main subject. Then the viewer won’t get distracted by props; instead, the props will serve the image as a whole.

So creatively use your props to form lines. In this shot, I’ve used a spoon to direct the viewer straight toward the bowl of baked peaches and ice cream:

Below, I’ve shared another example of careful use of lines. In the left-hand image, I’ve positioned the cutlery to lead to the round of Brie, and in the right-hand image, I’ve gone slightly more abstract, letting the knife and pomegranate seeds create lines that frame the subject.

I also recommend using layers to create three-dimensional compositions. You’ll want to shoot from the side (so your camera is positioned low over the table), and you should add various props staggered in front of and behind your subject. For shots like these, a shallow depth of field can prevent the props from becoming too distracting.

The Brie in the photo below is set in the middle of various props and two large out-of-focus areas. This creates a three-dimensional layered effect and sends your eyes straight to the hero object:

5. Simplify your compositions by limiting the color

When I was just starting out as a food photographer, I often made a major mistake:

I would add in colorful props – and they would upstage my food and grab all the attention.

Instead, when you hunt for props, backgrounds, and tableware to put in your images, don’t get too color-hungry. Search for items with neutral tones: grays, browns, blacks, silvers, whites.

Then, when placing items into your food images, pick props that the food can really pop against. In the shot below, I’ve used a black metal tray and baking paper to amplify the bright red strawberries and rhubarb inside these Crostatas. That way, the food steals the show – and the props, while complementary, don’t distract from the main event.

#7 – ADD A HUMAN ELEMENT

Adding a hand stirring a pot or holding a plate allows you to show scale and adds a human element which is often more appealing and real to viewers.

Use less food than you normally would

Beginner food stylists tend to pile plates high with food, but this is a mistake.

You see, while you may think that more food makes the dish appealing, an overcrowded plate can actually look far worse than a minimalist spread.

So instead of heaping spoonfuls and dollops and giant scoops of food onto your plates, take a step back. Then add a small amount of each food item to your arrangement. (This should be less food than the average person eats.)

Minimal food will create lots of space, which you can then spice up with cutlery, napkins, cups, and little garnishes (e.g., sprinkles of spices from the dish).

But note that this “overcrowding” rule also applies to props. So while it’s okay to add a few little items to your arrangement, don’t go overboard!

Create background contrast

Many food photos feature white plates on a white background – and while this can be visually striking, I encourage you to go for contrast instead.

So instead of using white on white, put a white plate on a dark wooden background, or use darker plates on a white background.

Note that the food should also contrast with the background. If the food is eye-poppingly colorful, I like to add a simple white background. But if the food is relatively plain, a dark background – especially a dark background with texture – is often the better move.

That’s what I did for this shot, which features white plates and relatively bland colors:

Do you see how the dark, textured background helps make the food pop?

Allow food to spill over naturally

As a food stylist, your instinct might be to keep things nice and neat.

But while it’s certainly good to avoid unwanted mess, a little bit of deliberate mess can make a huge difference.

A bit of spilled sauce or a line of breadcrumbs really helps add movement and life to a food photo, whereas a clean shot often comes across as sterile and boring.

I’d especially encourage you to add mess in specific directions. Use the spills to create lines that direct the viewer from one plate to another.

Of course, make sure your spills look relatively controlled. And after you apply each bit of mess, go back through with a careful eye and make sure the mess looks good (rather than distracting).

Choose (simple) crockery and tableware

If you want to give your food photos a complete feel, it’s a good idea to add silverware, serving dishes, and other little props that’ll enhance the composition and tell the story.

However, you must select your items carefully. While highly decorative china and napery are beautiful on their own, they can detract from the visual impact of the food. And while flashy, ornate silverware might seem attractive, it can draw the eye away from the main subject.

So keep your props simple. Plain items allow the food to be the star of your shot, so go for simple colors and designs. When in doubt, plain white or plain black both work great!

6. Emphasize the natural beauty of the food

Many beginner food stylists struggle to start a food composition. They look at a blank tabletop and feel overwhelmed by the possibilities.

So here’s what I recommend:

Before you lay down a single item, think about what it is that makes a particular dish so delicious.

Then create the entire arrangement in service of that idea.

For example, if you’re photographing a delicious brownie with a soft chocolate center, consider breaking up the brownie to reveal the gooey inside. Then put the brownie on a white plate in the center of the arrangement, and use various props – such as a fork and a napkin – to direct the viewer toward the brownie.

Of course, every food item can be approached from different directions, and there’s no real right or wrong here. What’s key is that you identify the story you want to tell – and that you style the food so that the story is clearly conveyed.

7. Style some work-in-progress shots

As a stylist, it’s easy to focus on creating that final, plated food shot.

But in truth, there are plenty of stunning opportunities along the way!

So try to style a few shots as the food is cooked. For instance, you can create a composition using raw ingredients (and lots of mess!). You might also create a composition that shows the food cooling after coming out of the oven.

And feel free to get creative. You don’t have to style the food on a standard table; instead, you can work with the food on the stovetop or even in the oven. Just remember to apply the techniques I’ve shared throughout this article, and no matter where you’re working, you’ll get great results.

8. Always be on the lookout for ideas

If you do enough food photography styling, you’ll start to use the same type of arrangement again and again.

And while there’s nothing wrong with repeating solid arrangements, it’s also good to break out of your comfort zone and come up with fresh food photo ideas.

A great way to generate styling ideas is by looking through cookbooks and food magazines. Simply flick through and take note of what looks appealing and what doesn’t. Don’t copy directly, of course, but do keep a little list of ideas that you can try down the line. (It can also be fun to find an arrangement you like, then adjust it for a fresh look.)

If you prefer to look at food photos online, you can always create a Pinterest board dedicated to your favorite food styling. Every time you find some well-styled food, just add it to the board – that way, the next time you’re in need of new ideas, you can open the board and generate some instant inspiration.

9. Style the food after it’s been served

Here’s your final food stylist trick:

Don’t just arrange uneaten food. After you’ve created some work-in-progress compositions and a final, plated shot, serve a slice of the food. (You can eat this if you want!)

And then create another arrangement that highlights the missing or served food. In my experience, a half-finished plate is often more appetizing than the original whole!

Depending on the type of food you’re shooting, you may need to work fast. But that’s all part of the fun, and even if you fail to get a great “served” shot, there’s always next time.

3. Consider the use of multiples.

Repetition of simple elements helps create the idea of abundance. One cookie on it’s own looks a little mean, a whole pile of cookies is much more enticing.

4. Think about a garnish

Garnishes are the lacy lingerie of the food world.  They may not be the main event but they add a little colour and a hint of what’s to come.  Consider a herb that is in the dish, a little chilli, or even just a sprinkling of black pepper to make an everyday meal seem more alluring.

• Draw the viewer into your composition. Show part of the plate in your photo rather than the entire dish. Use utensils or napkins to help guide the viewer’s eyes to what you want them to focus on. And remember that the same contrasting elements that help you style a plate will also work in your favor when it comes to composition.

• Use negative space to make a powerful photo. Clutter in your scene causes visual confusion, so remove it. The less your viewer is drawn to, the better.
• Think of how the dish would best be viewed. Head-on views, overhead shots, and views looking slightly down into the dish are always preferable to looking down at a plate from a 45-degree angle.
• Keep your camera level. Early in my food photography career, I felt that angles conveyed a sense of excitement to the viewer. They did – because they made it look like the food was falling off the plate! I stopped rotating my camera, and my photos became much stronger overnight.

CAMERA ANGLES

Angle 1: Head-on Zen:

The camera is completely centered to the subject. This created a very clean contemporary look and feel. Tip: Keep the props to the minimum.

Angle 2. From Above:

Camera is positioned directly above the subject and perfectly centered. This angle produces a very contemporary, graphic look.

Angle 4. Tilt Towards:

Camera is tilted right, so the subject tilts counterclockwise and the dish is welcoming you in, motivating the spectator to indulge in image.

Angle 5. Tilt Away:

Camera is tilted left, so the subject tilts clockwise, pulling away from you, engaging the viewer the desire to follow.

Angle 6. Close up and personal

Don’t be afraid to get close to your subject. It won’t bite. Or will it? When you are shooting close ups, the point of reference loses its importance, so any camera angle will produce an appetizing image or not?

Angle 7. Above with Perspective:

The camera is positioned above the front of the subjectd, then the camera is tilted up until the subject fills the frame. The photograph will maintain a graphic dynamic composition that will engaging the eye to scan the image from the foreground to the background.

Angle 8. Diagonal:

Turn you camera so the subject starts in one corner and ends in the opposite corner, breaking the space diagonally.

Angle 9. With respect to the Line:

When looking through the viewfinder align the edge of the frame to any line you see in your subject. In this case I chose to align three parallel lines (left and right edges of the slice). So I turned the camera until these 3 lines ware parallel to the vertical edge of the frame. This created a very monumental and unusual composition, granting unprecedented importance to this slice of a regular cheese cake.

Angle 10. Gentle tilt:

The camera was tilted just slightly to the left. Why? Because the human brain likes to scan things by section. If the camera had been leveled, then the middle wedge would create a horizontal line that would divide the composition in two sections and forcing the eye to travel away from the center. But in this case, I wanted the eye to flow freely though the whole image while stopping only at the focal point. So “gentle tilt” solved the problem.

Conclusion:

Try to forget about the rule of thirds and everything you just learned, just move around your subject and really try to see it and when you see it, draw the camera to your eye and start framing. Keep your mind clear, no thinking. When you start getting a warm fuzzy feeling entering through your stomach and spreading to your chest, just push the button.