13 Quick Tips For Photographing Food

There will come a time where you’ll want to take photos of your food. Even if you are not a full-time food photographer, it is still worthwhile knowing some tips and trick for photographing food. Because it’s essential to make sure your photos are taken as nicely as possible to showcase the food. So here are 13 quick tips for photographing in kitchens that you can use to get those “instagrammable” food photos.

1. Backlighting

Lighting plays a key part in getting your food to look appetizing and add texture. Steam and smoke will show up better when lit from behind, so find a place with natural backlighting (like in front of a window) or create this yourself using artificial lighting. Lamps and other sources of light can give you this effect in your kitchen!

2. Use simple props for styling

Make sure your food is the focus of the shot. Clear the clutter and place your dish down. You can add some accents to this with other pieces such as greenery, ingredients that you’ve used in the dish, cutlery, tea towels, and the like to give your dish some framing. Stick to non-patterned plates or bowls for a cleaner look and to not distract the viewer.

3. Get a variety of shots

Don’t just focus on photographing the final project. Aim to get some photos of you preparing the ingredients, cooking the dish, plating it, and finally, the finished product. By adding a human element, a hand stirring the pot, you’re allowing people to connect with your photos in an appealing way.

4. Try to create a “visual recipe”

By framing your dish with some of the ingredients used in the recipe, you’re creating a visual recipe for your viewer. This technique allows them to see from the photo alone what some of the ingredients are that have gone into making the food. Spices work well for this as they add a great pop of colour. Other things that work well are berries, nuts, and fresh herbs.

5. Vary your camera angle

If all of your shots are from directly above, it can get boring visually for the viewer. Try varying your images by going above, trying some photos on the side, and various other creative angles. Experiment with shooting just part of the plate and don’t be afraid to get creative with it! Interesting shots are what will bring people in to connect with your photo and the story it tells.

6. Add a bit of oil

This tip also works with adding a misting of water to a salad. This extra glisten will help make the food look fresher while you’re setting up the perfect shot. Combining glycerine and water and using a spray bottle is a great way of getting water beads on fresh foods or ingredients such and fruit and vegetables.

7. Think about your colours

Colours will have a significant impact on your composition. Now is the time to get creative! Find colours that complement your food or are contrasting for a bit of a unique touch. For example, the contrast between red and green work wonderfully in food photography as it’s exciting and stimulating to the eye.

8. If Working in harsh light, use the shadows to your advantage

Generally, in food photography, a flat light works best. But shadows can add depth to a photo if used the right way. Arrange your plates in a manner that the shadows aren’t overtaking any elements of your set-up and try using them to your advantage. Get creative with placements, and you’ll be surprised at how much depth a shadow will add to your composition.

9. Find a neutral background

This tip may be difficult in a restaurant kitchen with the hustle and bustle of chefs creating food, but at home, it may be easier to find a neutral background. Place your food on a clean surface or in front of a plain backsplash. Having a neutral backdrop doesn’t mean your background needs to be plain, but just ensure that it’s not taking away from the subject of your photos. Anything with texture such as wooden sets, such as a chopping board or picnic table, always look fabulous no matter the food.

10. Make sure to arrange your food neatly

When it’s time to photograph your dish, make sure it’s displayed neatly. The position of each element should have some thought to it. Get creative by cutting your fruits and vegetables in interesting shapes and aligning them differently on your plate to get the best composition. If you have spilt anything in the process, make sure to wipe it up to keep your plates looking clean.

11. Add some negative space

Close-up shots where your food takes up the entire frame are nice as this sometimes works to show the texture of food. But also consider taking some photos where there is negative space around your dish. Negative space will help not to overwhelm the frame and will often create a more pleasing composition. You’ll also get the chance to experiment with the placement of elements such as cutlery and cups!

12. Use some non-edible elements

Flowers, leaves, and pinecones can add so much to a photo. For summer dishes, flowers add a lovely bit of colour and sunshine to the image. In the fall, colourful leaves and pinecones add a layer of warmth and set the tone for your recipe.

13. Tell a story

The most important thing is to remember to tell a story. By combining all of the tips and elements above, you can create engaging stories to draw the viewer into your image. Another way to do this is to take some photos of the preparation and cooking of the food. For example, someone looking at a recipe book or even chopping ingredients can all help add some variety to your shots.

Using the tips above, you’ll be correctly set to photograph food in your kitchen. By using the lighting, elements, and storytelling techniques, you will able to draw your viewers into your narrative and allow them to imagine themselves enjoying your food.

Photo credits: Kav Dadfar – All rights reserved. No usage without permission. Dreamstime.