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How to Make Better Food Photography

March 14, 2020

Do you have a decent photo gear, some photography knowledge and you are still whishing to make better food photography? Well, we have some experience in that field and here are our tips to make ace food photography. In our first food photography article, we covered essentials and some technicals, now it is time for more juicy details.

Contents

  • The Biggest Difficulties When Shooting Food
    • Finding a Creative Scene
    • Lights
    • Compositions
  • Overcome This and Take Licking Fingers Food Photos
    • Prepare in Advance
    • Be Creative
    • Respect The Rules
    • Break The Rules
    • Give Up
  • Food Photography Photo Editing
  • Play
  • Don’t Be Hungry
  • Last Words
vegetable rolls
Food photography is a wonderful job or hobby. This was taken for Review @ Vila Podvin, Slovenia.

The Biggest Difficulties When Shooting Food

Is taking food photography harder, than other types of photography? I would say it is much easier than many other types of photography and this can be the biggest challenge. Why? Mostly because you take everything for granted and creativity stays off the guard. You know your plate will be there for a while and therefore you relax too much.

Thai beef soup
Food photography is easy and hard at the same time. This shot was taken for our Saawan Bangkok Review.

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Finding a Creative Scene

Alright, if you are shooting in your “home-studio” this isn’t a problem. Having a nice plate, a lot of props and great lighting are the main keys to great food photography. The problem comes, when you are the guest in the restaurant for the duration of your meal.

roebuck fillet
Taking food photography in a full restaurant is harder than at home in the studio. This was taken at one of the best Slovenian Restaurants – Hisa Franko.

You can’t just jump everywhere and take 1000 shots from 5 different angles. Sometimes luck will be on your side and the table has everything you need, but mostly you will rely on your creativity.

Marko Pavcnik
Trees are throwing shadows? Use it in your food photo! This one was taken for our Restaurant Pavus Review.

Lights

Light is a crucial factor when taking any kind of photography and food is no exception. Without the right lighting, your food photos will look flat and colors far from what they were in reality. Here again, home studios and shooting food on demand doesn’t have this problem.

dessert on wooden board
Romantic ambiance is great for having a couple’s dinner, and not so great for taking photos. This one was taken for our Harvest Restaurant Bangkok Review.

However, when shooting for blogs or food reviews this can be a big problem. A lot of restaurants like intimate ambiance, which works great for having a meal and not so great for taking a photo.

High tea canape
Sunlight is the best source for yummy shots like this one. This shot was taken @ Four Seasons KL High Tea Review

Compositions

…let’s take this nice plate and put it right here. Great, but I think I need a little bit more of a scene here. Let’s go back, focus and… oh no, too much of that empty space, lame composition, is that my wife on a photo? You all know what I am talking about. Some plates are truly hard to fit into great compositions, and that makes food photography wicked.

moody berries
Should I take more of a plate or rather crop more? Should I add something…

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Overcome This and Take Licking Fingers Food Photos

If you wanna make great food photography you should consider all these difficulties in advance. If you know what your problems are, the solution has already presented itself halfway.

Sakura afternoon tea
Improvise, Adapt. Overcome. This shot was taken at Okura Afternoon Tea Bangkok.

Prepare in Advance

Check your shooting place and if you have a chance to change your table for the one which has more light and space. We always ask for a table with more light, when we are making a reservation. Sometimes we get lucky but sometimes we are there with one “candle” and tears in our eyes. Does it stop us? Never, we just try to be more creative.

Bo.lan interior
Excuse me, can we sit at the window, please? This is at Bo. Lan Bangkok Review.

Be Creative

Some people are lucky and puking creativity all over the place. Other people might struggle, but it shouldn’t end there. Check Pinterest, Instagram, Food Blogs, anything with nice food photography. More ideas you will have in your memory, more you will act creatively. Take a chance with that special shoot if you think it might work.

Botanical Cafe cake
Use whatever you find. This shot was taken at Botanical Cafe Bangkok. Probably one of the most floral high teas.

Respect The Rules

Rule of thirds, guiding lines, golden ratios and other wisdom are here because our brains work similarly. You should take these rules as your gold standard and your food photography will get better.

Golden ratio and food photography
The golden ratio and food photography – Nice. This one was taken at Majestic KL Afternoon Tea Review.
rule of thirds and food photography
Rule of thirds? I am on it!

Break The Rules

I mean it. Sure, rules are there for guidance, but sometimes trusting your guts might be a better solution. Ignore guides and just take that shot. After all, we are living in the digital photography era. Consider this and shoot like texas cowboy. However, in the end, there is one superior rule – give up!

food photography no rules
No rules at all!

Give Up

If you find yourself stuck in one composition, you have tried every angle and lens you have, it’s time to give up. Turn your composition on the head and start over. Maybe we should call this one “unplug for 10 seconds and reboot again”.

Cocoa bean dessert in a cocoa husk
Ok, try to hold it still…
Cocoa bean dessert with a cocoa jelly topping.
You know what, forget it, I am going in. This shot was taken at Le Normandie Review

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Food Photography Photo Editing

Every photo needs some editing and food photography is no different. Usually, it’s just color correction and cropping, although be prepared also to hide some faults. However, with color editing, we give a different meaning and tell a different story. I am giving you one example.

soup
It can be clean, contrasty and straight forward
mushroom soup
Or more mystic, moody or rustic if you will.

Play

No matters what, enjoy your food photo session and have fun. In this crazy world, we are forgetting about the fun and look where it got us. Relax, enjoy, learn and rise through a play. You don’t need to have a client for food photography. You can simply make some great dishes and take outstanding photos, at home. On the other hand, you can make a reservation in the restaurant and take a few shots. Take it easy, the portfolio shouldn’t be made in a day!

ice cream dessert rajh restaurant
Play and enjoy your food photography. This was taken for Restaurant Rajh Review

Don’t Be Hungry

This is probably one of the most important tips :). Capturing food is very hard when your stomach is empty and your mouth full of saliva. When hungry, your nerves are cranked up and this can be a bad combo.

Sarkies buffet
Make sure you are not super hungry when shooting food. This was taken at Majestic KL Buffet Review

Last Words

Alright, the end of another food photography tips article. As you can see, we are covering psychological aspects before technicals. Why? Because I think a lot of food photographers don’t lack technical knowledge, but rather some visualization. To master that one, you should know about psychological background.


foodfood photographyphotographytips
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FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

Ian
Ian
An artistic soul who catches the beauty with his camera. A photographer with restless feet and wish to get intimate with the unknown.

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