Food Photography Best Practices: 5 Tips for Perfect Shots Every Time
Getting the perfect Food Photography shot of your food can be tricky, but it’s definitely worth the effort. After all, we eat with our eyes first, and if your food doesn’t look appetizing in photos, people will be less likely to want to try it. Luckily, there are a few simple things you can do to make sure your food photos always look their best. Here are five food photography best practices to follow for perfect shots every time.
- Use Natural Light whenever possible
Natural light is always going to be your best friend when it comes to taking pictures of food. If you’re shooting indoors, try to position your dish near a window so that the light can stream in and illuminate it from behind. And if you’re shooting outdoors, try to find a spot in the shade so that the light is evenly diffused and won’t create any harsh shadows.
- Ignore the Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds is a basic principles of composition that states that an image should be divided into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. According to the rule of thirds, subject matter should be placed along those lines or at the intersections of those lines. Doing so will help create a more balanced and interesting photo, NOT! Food photography is about the food, it should dominate the focal (focus point). Use portrait mode to blur background. Add a fork or spoon to show proportion.
- Get in Close
When it comes to food photography, close-ups are almost always going to be more effective than wide shots. Not only will getting in close allow you to show off all the delicious details of your dish, but it will also help fill the frame and make your subject matter appear larger than life. So don’t be afraid to get close!
- Create Negative Space
Negative space is the empty area around your subject matter. In food photography, negative space can be used to create a sense of focus on your subject and make the image appear more elegant and sophisticated. To create negative space in your photos, simply zoom in on your subject matter or crop out any extraneous details around the edges of the frame. The one consent in the plate, use it to create negative space between the food and the backgrounds. Also, when zooming in, always keep one corner of the plate in the shot. This will create addition layout options that you wouldn’t have otherwise.
Gather Your Supplies Ahead of Time
- Gather Your Supplies Ahead of Time
This tip applies more to food styling than it does actual photography, but it’s nonetheless important for getting great shots. Before you start cooking, take a moment to gather all the props you’ll need for styling your dish—things like plates, silverware, napkins, etc.—and have them within easy reach so that you can style quickly and efficiently once your food is ready.
By following these five simple tips, you’ll be well on your way to taking mouth-watering food photos that will have everyone drooling over their screens! Just remember to use natural light whenever possible, ignore the rule of thirds, get in close, create negative space, and gather your supplies ahead of time—and you’ll be sure to snap some perfection shots every single time.