Food Photography Tips and Tricks for Beginners
Here is what you need to know
Food photography is just not limited to taking photos of your food on plate. It is concerned with a lot of other things. From making the food look appetizing to using the camera creatively, having the right props to enhance the pictures and using the best lighting options you have, there is a lot to keep in mind when clicking pictures of food. You need to capture the scrumptious side of even the simplest of foods you have on the plate in front of you.
Food photography is an art. It is not something you can master in a couple of hours. If you have just started out in food photography and aim to make your name in this category of photography, you need to learn the basics and start working on them straight away. Here are some beginner tips that will help you capture the essence of food and make your food pictures worth seeing. Let us help you take your food photography to the next level.
Photo by Valeria Boltneva
Use Natural Light Wherever Possible
Natural light makes the food look not only natural but also very appetizing and appealing. With a bright flashlight coming out from your camera, there will be an extremely alluding light falling on the food, making the food look less natural and more artificial. Therefore, try capturing pictures of food in the most natural lighting as far as possible.
Don’t Try to Overdo It
When you are capturing pictures of food, ask yourself, “what is the subject of the picture?” The answer to this question is going to help you shape the composition of the picture. The picture you capture should emphasize on the subject, not make it appear dull or bland. Thus, even if you are using some props and extra elements in the picture, make sure they don’t make the actual subject of the picture dull. Rather, they should complement the picture and make the food stand out from everything else.
Pay Attention to Designing Your Composition
While you should avoid overdoing it, you also cannot neglect the composition of the photos when capturing them. When you are crafting the composition of photos, keep in mind the form and shape you want to give to the pictures. If the picture seems out of proportion or just too bland, add some external elements that complement the subject, and make it look enhanced. Keep in mind the rule of thirds and go for it even if just adding a knife to the frame will do justice to it. Bounce some extra light on the silverware in the picture by using a reflector board to add an extra oomph to the photos.
Photo by Terje Sollie
Use High ISO
Choosing the right ISO is very important when it comes to capturing some amazing food photos. With a high ISO, light will enter your camera at a much faster rate than a low ISO. Thus, when you are shooting indoors, it is best to go with high ISO, as much as 1600 to 3200. Don’t go higher than 3200 as the picture will start showing a lot of grain in that case and will loose its quality. Make sure the ISO you choose for the picture does not make noise an issue.
Photo by Viktor Tasnadi
These were some tips and tricks for beginners just starting out in the field of food photography. It is important to keep in mind that mastering the art of food photography takes a lot of practice and patience. The most important tip is to never stop learning, and you will be able to capture amazing food photos in no time.
