Hiring someone for food photography can be costly. But that shouldn’t stop you from creating masterpieces. So here they are! Your little guide to creating professional photos in a cinch.
1. Invest in good backdrops:
We often find food photographers taking snaps on a glass coffee table, floor, or a dimly lit kitchen light. While they still get the picture, it’s safe to say they are not meant for social media.
We’ve also seen people investing in backdrops for their photos. However, most of these cost arms and legs. Fortunately, there are more accessible and cheaper ways to create food photography backdrops. If you still think it’s too much work, the AI-driven autoRetouch can help! With its removal of background component, now you can automatically eliminate unwanted backdrops from your food shots and turn them into striking pieces with other settings.
2. Buy a tripod and remote trigger:
Occasionally photographers might think they picked some pretty decent pieces until they export them into the laptop. As it turns out, most food shots turn blurry and pixelated when viewed on large screens. That’s why investing in a tripod and a remote trigger is wise. You don’t have to worry about shaky hands and can take beautiful, crisp photos with every click. Additionally, remote triggers will help you to capture action photos. Imagine pouring maple syrup over fluffy pancakes or garnishing your chicken with cilantro and thymes. In this way, you can snap some live, delicious food shots.
3. Use indirect natural lighting:
Here’s an invincible hack for food photography; use the free, abundant natural light. The natural light from the back or side creates the most gorgeous photos. Indirect light diffuses sunlight evenly, creating masterstrokes without harsh halos or shadows. However, you’ll have to pick up the pace of your captures as the amount and strength of light varies throughout the day.
On similar notes, never use flash. Why? Because camera flash might result in harsh reflections and glare. Additionally, your photos may look funny and hideous.
4. Clear the clutter:
We all know how the work in the kitchen goes. Ingredients are scattered everywhere, piles of dishes stacking up in a line, and before you know it– you are standing in the middle of a great mess. Well, nobody can photograph under these conditions. So, remember to keep the kitchen simple and organized. Before you dive into cooking, declutter the kitchen. Make sure all the ingredients lie within your reach. Since you’ll be shooting here, it’s essential to have a coherent ambiance for the sake of the photos.
5. Master the color wheel:
If you want your food to pop amidst various elements, master the color wheel. Basically, the color wheel tells you which ideas match the best with your platter. For example, if you prepared tanned orangey energy bites, place them in a white bowl. After that, use a blue backdrop to accentuate the visual aesthetic of the delicacy. Experiment with different color shifts to determine which elements make your recipe the best.
6. Add oil or a spritz of water:
We know your ingredients are fresh, but your camera doesn’t. So, add a little glimmer to your salads and vegetables by spraying them with oil or water. The oil or water will highlight the right places and boast the freshness of your dishes. You can leverage the food photography hack for glistening the roast that was in the oven for too long and has almost dried up.
7. Implement the rules of thirds:
In food photography, the rules of thirds can help you capture more exciting and balanced shots. And what is the rule of thirds? It means imagining dividing the photo you’re about to catch into thirds, both vertically and horizontally. This will result in a 3x3 grid. You usually get a more stimulating and eye-catching output when you place the focal point of your photo where two lines intersect. So, instead of having the food impeccably centered in the image, try using the trick to figure out your focal point. This rule can seriously notch up the quality of your snaps.
8. Use negative space:
Give your audience some room to breathe. Instead of cramming the frame with dishes and props, allow scope for negative space. It’s soothing to the eye, and your audience will only focus on the right things. Don’t zoom in all the way; let your food photography narrate stories.
9. Find the biggest strength of your dish:
Why do you think the audience will like your dish? Is it the color, texture, freshness, or shape? And what kind of emotion do you want to convey? Comfort, coziness, healthy, freshness… Your images could mean a million things, and you must find their hero side. Then, try to bring out that vibrant element in your photos.
Conclusion
You can make a simple dish stand out and attract potential customers with proper guide. Food photography plays a pivotal role in the restaurant business.
