Tips For Photographing Food

Shoot in Natural Light

light is key to creating still life, always shoot in natural daylight. If you use artificial light it will cast an orange glow altering the colours of the food. Bright sunlight causes exposure and dark shadows, overcast days are the best for shooting on. 

Shadows

they are important as they can make or break an image, they can enhance the image but sometimes dominate it. Therefore shooting on an overcast day is best to avoid harsh shadows. 

Use a Neutral Background

The background is very important as if it is too messy or colourful the attention will be drawn away from the food. A fairly neutral background allows you to place maximum emphasis on the food. It doesn't necessarily have to be plain but it should complement the subject. 

The three main types of background that work well are light backgrounds, dark backgrounds and wood. Dark food usually looks good on a dark background, light food on a  light background where as wood complements any food. A wooden table makes a great backdrop especially near a window for natural light.

Colour

Warm tones create a harmonious composition which create feeling of comfort and tranquility. Contrasting colours tend to have the opposite effect as they are vibrant and dynamic. 

Shoot from The Best Angle

Shooting from above is often the best choice as it allows all the detail of the food to be included and it emphasises the shapes of the dishes and other objects. 

Arrange Food Neatly 

composition is key and should be thought out, arrange things in a unique or neat way. 

Allow Breathing Space

leaving empty, negative space will create a more pleasing composition and emphasise the subject. 

Take several shots with different compositions. 

Decorate the Scene 

both the food and the background are vital elements when taking photos, make them more interesting by decorating the scene with smaller items such as dry ingredient. 

Create A Story

adding more elements to the photo you can tell a story things such as a cup of tea, a book to create a cosy image. 

Add A Human Element

adding your arm to the image can give the viewer a sense of presence. Having a person using cutlery can also add an element of movement.

Keep It Simple

For bold food or food that is the main focus keep the image simple. Don't have much in the background that will distract the viewer. 

Expose For The Highlights

the main exposure problem that happens in food photography is over exposure on white items such as plates. 

Enhance Colours When Editing 

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