So let's learn about our 8 Tips and Tricks For Professional Food Photography shall we?
1. Even before the first shot: preparation is half of the battle
Unlike other image categories, professional food photography is a still life. This means that the photographer has a decisive advantage: time! No matter how sophisticated the photo concept is, things sometimes go differently than planned on site. In the case of a still life, the person behind the camera can then try out different combinations of images and experiment with them - even before the first shot is taken. Perhaps the spoon looks better next to the bowl than in the bowl? Finding the right composition is easier and faster than with a model in front of the lens. The control that you have over every element of the picture is a specialty of professional food photography.
Proper preparation is everything. In this case, of course, this includes getting the food and the associated props. Depending on what is in front of the lens, a lot has to be prepared.
2. The right shopping list
Well thought-out purchasing prevents overtime at a later date. For example, by choosing vegetables without bruises and without discoloration, wrinkled areas and the like. Because the potato that already has shoots and the withered lettuce leaf do not make you want to eat. Meanwhile, the fresh and crisp-looking piece of yellow pepper looks very appetizing and appealing in the end on a picture.
When it comes to fruits , exotic fruits with interesting shapes and colors look particularly good. Because you see them less often, they attract attention and can thus set a focus. The bright pink dragon fruit and the star fruit are two frequently chosen eye-catchers.
You can also do yourself a favor with meat and fish by buying organic quality. Poor quality meat has much more water in it that leaks out when it is cooked. Thus, the meat loses more volume than its organic counterpart and looks dry at the end or is perhaps too small for the selected plate and the rest of the meal.
In no case should you forget the decoration at the end. This particularly includes fresh herbs and spices . These loosen up the picture.
In summary, this means that the following is important when buying:
- Vegetables and fruits without pressure points
- Exceptional fruits as a highlight
- Organic meat and fish
- Spices and herbs as decoration
3. The theater with the props
Another point that should not be underestimated in professional food photography: the props. Of course, the food is the star, but the right details help put it in the right light. Because even the most beautifully prepared and photographed dish looks boring on a simple white plate.
Therefore it is important to think about the mood the picture should emit beforehand . If you arrange something on a wooden board, the overall picture looks very rustic, while a slate strikes a more modern tone. Props that you find on every table, such as tablecloths or cutlery, can also help to create a certain basic mood. Depending on how the picture should look, you have to get the right utensils beforehand .
If raw or unprocessed food is still to play a role as decoration, it is best to use the ingredients that are also contained in the meal itself. A couple of whole tomatoes next to a potty full of fresh, strong tomato sauce, for example, creates a harmonious picture. If something like this is planned, you have to take it into account when shopping.
4. Turning food into food models: the preparation
Even if certain components still have to be prepared or prepared, there are tips and tricks. An important point: don't throw anything away! Even unused apple slices can later be included in the composition of the picture. A great decorative element that gives the fruit salad that final kick.
Speaking of apple wedges - the cut apple turns brown quickly. Therefore the timing is important and should be planned well . In this case, the well-known tip with the lemon helps if it takes a while.
If something needs to be cooked before the shoot, everything should be cooked or heated as quickly as possible. This way, colors last better, vegetables, for example, appear crisp while meat looks juicier.
5. Thinking outside the box: Tips for serving
Depending on what kind of food shoot it is, there might be a food stylist who both prepares and skillfully stages a meal. This of course makes it easier for the photographer. Because preparing a dish in an appetizing way is not that easy.
Professional Food photography should of course focus on the food being photographed - if possible in a way that makes it look irresistible. Here are a few tips and tricks if there is no food stylist on site:
- Use complementary colors
- Alternate shapes
- Experiment with the arrangement
Playing with colors in particular can completely change an image. A typical example here would be green and red. A bright red tomato looks much better with its green stem than without. The same applies to the processed tomato: Sauce or soup look a lot better with a few green herbs as a decoration.
Different shapes also result in an exciting and not so monotonous picture. A round placemat with a large round plate and a round bowl look harmonious, but at the same time too good and boring. But if the plate is square, for example, the overall picture makes a completely different impression.
The arrangement of the various elements on the plate itself is also not easy. If you follow the classic way of serving, all the components of the meal have their fixed place: the vegetables on the right, side dish on the left and the meat faces the guest - or in this case the camera. If you want to be a bit more modern, there are now other options. For example, you can position the three main components of the meal directly on top of each other. Or you can serve vegetables, side dishes and meat completely separately - on three different plates. Depending on what the pictures are needed for in the end, you can choose the more modern or the classic variant.
As soon as the meal is served, everything has to be done and the photos have to be in the box as soon as possible. Because the longer a freshly prepared dish stands, the less appetizing it becomes. This phenomenon can also be observed in photos. Therefore, preparation and timing are everything!
6. Perspective - bird, frog or central?
The bird's eye view is particularly common in professional food photography. With it you can easily put a nicely arranged meal and the associated table in the limelight. For some meals, however, it is more appropriate to take photos from the central perspective. This makes the most sense for objects whose special features only become clear by looking at the side. Everything that has many layers, for example, should proudly present them. A bird's eye view of a burger doesn't make a lot of sense, but when viewed from the side it looks completely different. The same can be seen with cakes or a lasagna - boring from above, impressive from the side!
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| The side perspective makes this sandwich really tasty! |
7. The state of the art: is the smartphone enough ?!
The equipment depends a lot on the purpose for which the pictures are shot. Many smartphones are now taking really good pictures. But for print-ready quality, you should still rely on a decent SLR camera. If it is “only” about Instagram, a high quality photo of a good smartphone is sufficient.
Ultimately, it is easier to work with images from a single-lens reflex camera. These usually deliver particularly high-quality RAW files that are easy to edit. It's always easier when you downgrade from higher quality to lower quality. On the other hand, it looks very bad. It is practically impossible to conjure up a high quality image from a pixelated image.
8. Put everything in the right light: The Lighting
In addition to the camera itself, the lighting is also of central importance. Daylight is particularly suitable for professional food photography. The soft light flatters the subject and makes it look appetizing. If for any reason it is difficult to work with real sunshine, try to approximate the effect. Glaring and direct light is not ideal. Instead, experiment a little with softer exposure. If you still want to shoot with daylight, but the timing just doesn't work, you can use a daylight lamp. These are available in many price categories - including relatively cheap ones - and they are easy to work with.
Conclusion: Professional Food Photography has its Advantages and Disadvantages
One particularly practical advantage of professional food photography is control . In contrast to landscape or architectural photography, for example, the photographer can easily influence all elements in the picture. The big saucepan in the background doesn't look right yet? This can be changed at any time with a short movement. If you work with a model, you have a motive that thinks for yourself. You can give instructions until these are then implemented according to your own ideas, but it can take time.
Speaking of time , this is another benefit of professional food photography. But at the same time a disadvantage! The photographer can take a little more time for the preparations and to find the right composition. At the same time, however, the clock runs as soon as a prepared meal is in front of the camera. A nicely decorated sundae only has a comparatively short lifespan.
There are many things to look out for in food photography. From the standards, like the right equipment and props, to the shopping list and the right preparation of the food. In this type of photography, some art forms come together. Not every photographer is up to this challenge. We are happy to support you.
Those were our "8 Tips and Tricks For Professional Food Photography" I hope you enjoyed! Don't forget to leave us your question down below in the comments. We would love to hear from you.
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