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11 Food Photography Composition Tips (for Mouthwatering Results)

02 Sep

The post 11 Food Photography Composition Tips (for Mouthwatering Results) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jeremy Flint.

11 composition tips for food photography

Looking to improve your food photography compositions? You’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I’m going to share my favorite composition tips – for arranging and styling food, yes, but also for adding creative touches that’ll give you an ultra-professional look.

So whether you’re a complete beginner just starting out in food photography, or you’re a more experienced photographer looking for some composition-enhancing tips, this guide will help you on your way.

Starting with tip #1:

1. Change your angle for an unusual perspective

Beginning food photographers often shoot food straight on, as if they’re sitting or standing at the table with their camera.

And while such an approach can work, it can also fall a little flat. Instead, consider a different perspective, one that will enhance the most interesting parts of the food or highlight key elements.

For instance, a straight-down approach – where you shoot from overhead, with the sensor parallel to the plate – is a great way to showcase all of the food, plus it can add some artistic flair.

Alternatively, shooting from low down or the side gives the viewer a new angle to consider and will highlight the food’s details.

raspberries on black

2. Consider orientation (portrait vs landscape)

As you’re undoubtedly aware, you can photograph food in either portrait or landscape orientation – but don’t just stick your camera in one position and call it a day.

Instead, think carefully about which orientation best highlights the food and best frames your composition.

Personally, I think landscape-oriented images tend to look great for showing off beautiful compositions. But try rotating your camera and see if a vertical shot might work well, too. You may find that a vertical composition actually enhances the photo by eliminating distracting elements around the central theme.

cookies set out on cloth food photography composition

3. Use the rule of thirds for well-organized food compositions

It’s a photography classic, but for a good reason. So if you’re struggling to come up with beautiful compositions, why not try the rule of thirds?

You see, the rule of thirds works by dividing your image into thirds (via gridlines). It suggests you align your main subject and other compositional elements with these gridlines; that way, the entire image feels both balanced and dynamic.

For example, I placed the bowls along gridlines here for a pleasing composition:

bowls carefully arranged composition

4. Break the rule of thirds

It is important to note that the rule of thirds is only a food photography guideline, not a true rule – so you certainly don’t need to stick to its terms.

After all, rules are there to be broken! Don’t be afraid to move food items around and test out different compositions. Try putting your main subject in different locations, away from the rule of thirds gridlines and intersections, and see what you get. Who knows; maybe you’ll hit upon a composition you really love!

Pro tip: Positioning the main subject dead-center or slightly off-center generally works well. It’ll lead the viewer’s eye around the image and then toward the main subject:

the rule of thirds broken with centered bread

5. Consider adding elements to the composition

The objects you include alongside your main subject are essential to creating beautiful compositions.

Of course, it’s important to have a main food element – but you should also add extra items to elevate the scene beyond the ordinary.

Some examples of items to include could be additional food pieces, garnishes to brighten the main subject, cutlery such as a knife and fork, and even cooking utensils.

plates of food
If you are shooting dishes around the main subject, you will need to go wide enough to capture everything in the frame.

6. Add props

In the previous tip, I recommended including little extra elements, such as cutlery or garnishes.

But if you want to really double down and create unique images, you might also try including props. I’m not talking about bits of food, but rather objects, such as bowls, plants, jars, rustic boxes, and the like.

Aim to arrange the items so you showcase – rather than obscure! – your main dish.

7. Re-arrange the elements (beyond the normal)

Often, the natural way to arrange food elements is as a chef or waiter would:

Food on the plate, knife to one side, a glass in the back, etc.

But to create a more striking composition, I suggest you mix it up. Move some of the items to a different place in the frame. For instance, you might move the knife out in front of the food, as I did here:

toast food photography composition

Really, the important thing is to experiment; test out different compositions, use your creativity, and then capture the shot you like best!

8. Use patterns

As a food photographer, patterns are your friend.

And while you don’t always need patterns in your photos, you can use them to creatively highlight your food. For instance, you might lay out a batch of baked goods in an eye-catching arrangement, or you might circle your main subject with a selection of different-colored fruits.

The key is to create a sequence or structure that creatively emphasizes the main dish. That way, the viewer knows where to look – and is also impressed by your artistry.

9. Use negative space

Here’s another tried and tested food photography composition technique:

Use negative space in your image.

Negative space refers to the part of your frame that is free from any elements or props, like a bare table, a stretch of cloth, etc.

And while additional elements and props can look nice, negative space is a great way to encourage the viewer to focus on the main dish without the added distraction that props bring. Plus, more negative space makes for more simplified compositions, which is generally a good thing.

stack of bread

10. Shoot specific parts of the food

Not all of your food has to be in each image.

So instead of zooming out to shoot the entire dish, get close and capture parts of the food. Emphasize mouthwatering details that’ll look great to the viewer, but make sure to carefully structure your compositions; the goal is to make the main subject stand out against the rest of the shot.

11. Use natural and artificial light

Did you know that light can significantly affect your food photography compositions? It’s true. Light can add volume, create shadows, and emphasize (or de-emphasize) different elements.

So before getting started, you will need to think about the light that is present in your food photography location. Observe how the light falls and ask yourself: does it look natural? Is the light too bright or too dark?

Strong direct light, for instance, can ruin your compositions by making the food too bright. So when faced with direct light, try moving your food to avoid this harsh light, or place your entire composition in the shade to create a more balanced image.

In situations where there is not enough natural light, you will need to brighten up your compositions another way. One solution is artificial lighting; consider using a flash, or even a lamp or fixed room lights, to add more brightness and lighten the subject.

bowls arranged on blue
Moving food and drink into the shade can eliminate the harsh shadows produced by direct sunlight.

Food photography composition: conclusion

Food photography composition can make or break your images of food, so you should pay careful attention to these tips.

That said, remember to be creative; if you don’t like one of these tips, ignore it! Food composition and styling is a personal choice and is entirely subjective. There is no right or wrong way of photographing things – so be sure to balance these tips with your own vision. That way, you can create images that look great, and that you love.

Now over to you:

Which of these composition tips is your favorite? Do you have any tips of your own to add? Share them in the comments below!

The post 11 Food Photography Composition Tips (for Mouthwatering Results) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jeremy Flint.


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The Weekly Photography Challenge – Food

26 Jun

The post The Weekly Photography Challenge – Food appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

Food photography comes in many shapes and sizes, from a phone in a cafe capturing your coffee, to high-end cookbooks and beyond. This week your challenge, thanks to our dPS Group member, Julia, is food! And it can be anything that’s food related (not drinks, that’s in a few weeks)

Share your photographs in the comments section under this post (Details at the bottom) or on social media and make sure you tag us in your post and include the hashtag #dPSFoodChallenge

The Weekly Photography Challenge – Food

We have SO many great food photography tips and articles on our website, I’ve made a small collection for you.

Food Photography Tips and Tricks? Click Here For The Lot

The Weekly Photography Challenge – Food

I personally love food photography (I’m still learning!) and I can’t wait to see what you all photograph and share! Remember, the dPS Photo Challenges are about pusing yourselves to make a new photograph, so I will be doing that, too! I have a couple of ideas in mind and will venture out to grab a photograph or two!

The Weekly Photography Challenge – Food

Your ‘Food’ photograph could also incorporate the process of food, above the chef was getting ready to toss something over the flame – looks fun, don’t singe your eyebrows!

Now, how do you post your photograph in the comments under this post? Here’s the deal… Upload your photo into the comments field below this post (look for the little camera icon in the Disqus comments section below this post) and they’ll get embedded for us all to see. Or, if you’d prefer, upload them to your favourite photo-sharing site and leave the link to them.

Weekly Photography Challenge – Looking Up

If you do get stuck, you can contact our friendly (mostly!… ok, well.. after coffee he’s ok!) support guy. He’s on the email support@digital-photography-school.com ?

The post The Weekly Photography Challenge – Food appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.


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Slideshow: Winning photos from the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year 2021 contest

07 May

Winning photos from the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year 2021 contest

Editor’s note: There are images in this gallery that show animal carcasses being butchered (slide 8 and 9, in particular). Keep this in mind going forward if you would rather not see this content.


The winning photographs for the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year 2021 contest have been announced, with the overall prize being taken by Chinese photographer Li Huaifeng for their photograph Taste, which shows a young family enjoying a meal in their home as the sun cast rays through the smoke-filled room.

The Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year awards is celebrating its tenth anniversary. The finalists and winning images were whittled down from nearly 10,500 entries submitted from more than 70 countries around the world.

In lieu of an in-person event, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the winners were announced in a livestream, which can be watched in its entirety, below:

In addition to the usual categories, this year’s contest also featured a ‘very special category’ to honor Claire Aho, ‘Finland’s greatest woman photographer,’ according to contest organizers. The inaugural winner of the Claire Aho Award for Women Photographers was Marina Spironetti for ‘her magnificent portrait Female Butchers of Panzano – Martina, one of the women trained by Dario Cecchini, world-famous butcher of Panzano.’

As for the judges of this year’s contest, the event organizers say:

This year’s global judging panel, chaired by legendary food photographer, David Loftus, includes Fiona Shields, Head of Photography, Guardian News & Media, Susan Bright, Writer and Curator, Nik Sharma, Cookbook Author and Photographer, Chef Simone Zanoni, Restaurant Le George, Four Seasons Paris, Alison Jacques, Founder, Alison Jacques Gallery and Vitalie Taittinger, President, Champagne Taittinger.

An exhibition for the 2021 finalists will premiere at The Royal Photographic Society in Bristol from November 20 through December 12. Entry is free.

The following gallery will showcase images from twelve of the more than three dozen categories in this year’s contest. You can see all of the finalists and winning images on the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year 2021 contest website.

Taste, Overall Winner

Credit: Li Huaifeng via Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year

Photographer: Li Huaifeng, China

Image Description: The photograph was taken in Licheng, Shanxi, on a warm and sunny day, and shows a young family sharing in the joy of preparing food.

Drying Okra, Bring Home the Harvest

Credit: F. Dilek via Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year

Photographer: F.Dilek Uyar, Turkey

Image Description: Drying okra flowers in Tokat, Turkey. Women pick okra flowers from the field and arrange them on a rope, then the dried flowers fall and the okra becomes ready to be used in winter

A Grape View, Errazuriz Wine Photographer of the Year – Overall

Credit: Oscar Olivera via Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year

Photographer: Oscar Oliveras, Spain

Image Description: The photograph captures the filling up of Semillon grapes ready to be pressed at the cellar. It was taken on the first day of the harvest of Sauvignon Blanc at Chateau des Ganfards, in Saussignac, France. The harvesting machine is unloading the fruit into the tractor, ready to take them into the winery for pressing. The tractor is being driven by M. Jean Claude Géraud, the owner of Château des Ganfards. Oscar took the photo whilst working there as a winemaker.

Breakfast at Weekly Market, Food at the Table

Credit: Thong Nguyen via Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year

Photographer: Thong Nguyen, Vietnam

Image Description: People enjoy their Pho (beef of chicken noodle) for breakfast at a local weekly market.

Making Rice Noodles, Fujifilm Award for Innovation

Credit: Abdul Momin via Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year

Photographer: Abdul Momin, Bangladesh

Image Description: A worker is inspecting rice noodles if they got dried rightly or not.

Old Friends, Politics of Food

Credit: Sandro Maddalena via Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year

Photographer: Sandro Maddalena, Italy

Image Description: Tskaltubo – Refugees from the Abkhazian – Georgian conflict gather in the basement of an abandoned sanatorium to share their food. Almost thirty years after the conflict, Abkhazian refugees are still living in abandoned buildings in conditions of poverty.

Female Butchers of Panzano-Martina, The Claire Aho Award for Women Photographers

Credit: Marina Spironetti via Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year

Photographer: Marina Spironetti, Italy

Image Description: Part of a project about the female butchers at Dario Cecchini’s, the world’s famous butcher from Panzano in Chianti. For some time now, Dario has been training a team of young ladies, who came to Tuscany from all over the world to learn the art of deboning. Traditionally, women butchers have always existed in Tuscany.

Head to Head, The Philip Harben Award for Food in Action

Credit: David Thompson via Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year

Photographer: David Thompson, Taiwan

Image Description: Taken at Wanhua District night market, Taipei, Taiwan the photo depicts a butcher preparing cuts for the daily traditional market, here seen working on a pigs head cutting out the cheeks.

Family, WFP Storytellers Award

Credit: Ziney Abdulhakim Ibrahim via Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year

Photographer: Ziney Abdulhakim Ibrahim, Iraq

Image Description: The importance of all family members meeting around one dining table at least once a day, as this habit helps to strengthen family ties and gives family members a sense of emotional warmth and provides an opportunity for dialogue, exchange of ideas and problem-solving.

Orishas Tribal Markets, Young – 11 – 14

Credit: Indigo Larmour via Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year

Photographer: Indigo Larmour, India

Image Description: The tribal markets in Odisha are some of the most colourful in all of India. Vendors commonly sit on the ground and spread-out vegetables that they are selling.

Spill the Tea, Young – 15 – 17

Credit: Dewi Hollema via Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year

Photographer: Dewi Hollema, Egypt

Image Description: Men gather round on the side of the street in old Alexandria to share the local gossip with a cup of black sweet tea and snacks. This is a common sight in Egypt where their national drink is enjoyed throughout the day: tea ???.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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11 Food Photography Ideas (for Easy Inspiration)

07 May

The post 11 Food Photography Ideas (for Easy Inspiration) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Ana Mireles.

11 food photography ideas for easy inspiration

Are you looking for food photography ideas to get inspired? You’ve come to the right place.

Professional high-end jobs in food photography often have a producer, an art director, a home economist, and a food stylist – or a subset of these. But if you’re just starting out, or you use food photography for your blog, you have to take care of everything on your own.

These food photography ideas are meant to help – and cover lots of key information, from picking the props to editing the photos. So keep on reading!

1. Use non-reflective props whenever possible

One of the most difficult technical challenges in food photography is dealing with reflections. Usually, plates, glasses, and cutlery are made with reflective materials that can be very tricky to photograph. That’s why I advise you to work with matte props if possible.

food photography ideas non-reflective mug vs reflective mug
Canon 70D | 31mm | f/2.8 | 1/8s | ISO 100

Consider the two cups above. To make a good picture with the shiny, ceramic cup, I would’ve spent a lot of time and effort managing the reflections in-camera – and I would’ve probably finished the job in post-processing. But with the matte cup, I had no issues; the downside is that it’s not always easy to find non-reflective props.

Salt-glazed ceramic or terracotta are good choices for plates and bowls depending on the look you want to achieve. As for cutlery, find tarnished silver or wooden utensils. But it needs to make sense with the mood of the photo.

Finally, you can try a matte finishing spray for bottles and glasses. There are some professional options, but you can also experiment with deodorant and hair spray.

2. Practice every chance you get

food photography ideas bread lined up
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III | M.Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 | f/3.5 | 1/20s | ISO 2000

Practice makes perfect, so you should be practicing your food photography as much as possible.

Going out to eat is a great way to practice because it will give you a different setting as well as challenging lighting. Plus, practice photos are also great for your social media; you can post food photos on sites like Instagram to build your brand and grow your business.

You won’t have much control when shooting in a restaurant, especially if you’re using your phone – but that’s a challenge that will help you improve.

And you can do some things, such as:

  • Choose the right camera angle
  • Arrange the elements on the table in a pleasing way
  • Carefully exercise composition guidelines

Actually, if you enjoy it and you become good at it, photographing restaurant food for social media can be your area of specialization. Many restaurants are currently hiring professional photographers to populate their own social media channels.

3. Pay attention to composition

golden spiral food bowl composition
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 | Native camera app | f/1.8 | 1/35s | ISO 250

Food photography composition refers to the positioning of elements (food, bowls, cutlery, etc.) within the frame. It’s an essential food photography factor because it will define how the viewer perceives the entire scene.

There are many compositional guidelines you can use to make your food photography stand out. Keep in mind that these guidelines aren’t universal; while a “rule” may fit one image, it might not be right for the next one. It all depends on the elements in your scene and what you’re trying to communicate.

For example, straight lines and a square composition convey stability, while diagonal lines and triangle compositions make for a dynamic image.

Most cameras have a grid with the rule of thirds, which is a basic composition guideline that suggests you position key elements a third of the way into the frame. However, many camera apps offer a wider selection of grids, such as the golden ratio – so experimenting with your smartphone can be a good way to train your eye.

Keep in mind that you can always improve the composition in post-processing using the Crop tool. In fact, Lightroom and Photoshop offer composition grids to guide your crops.

4. Learn to use – and prioritize – the camera settings

hand sprinkling seasoning onto food
Canon 70D | 55mm | f/5.6 | 1/200s | ISO 800

There are three settings to consider when you expose your image: the lens opening through which light travels (aperture), how long the light comes in for (shutter speed), and the extent to which the light is amplified by your camera (ISO). But you must be careful because each of these camera settings comes with other effects that can ruin a photo.

So what should you use to adjust the exposure?

Widening or narrowing the aperture will determine how much of your image is in focus. This is known as the depth of field. So if you have a still subject and you’re using a tripod, first adjust the aperture to achieve the desired depth of field. Leave the ISO at 100, then slow down your shutter speed to properly expose the photograph.

Now, with a slow shutter speed, all moving objects appear blurred. If you want to freeze motion, you have to keep a fast shutter speed. So for food photography scenes with movement, you should prioritize the shutter speed. Then set the aperture based on depth of field concerns. Finally, adjust the ISO.

Note: The higher the ISO, the more noise you’ll have in your photo; the lower the ISO, the smoother and sharper the result (all else being equal). So you should always use the lowest possible ISO.

5. Choose the right angle

food photography ideas two different angles of a jar with seeds
Canon 70D | 55mm | f/5.6 | 1/6s | ISO 100

Your choice of camera angle can make or break a photograph. There are three main camera angles in food photography:

  • The top angle. Most commonly known as flat lay, this is a trendy style on Instagram. To create a top-angle shot, you should have the sensor parallel to the subject’s plane. (For top-angle inspiration, search Instagram for the hashtags #flatlayphotography or #flatlaystyle.)
  • 45 degrees. Position your camera at a 45-degree angle from the flat table or surface on which the food lies. This angle mimics the way you normally see food.
  • On a level. For this angle, you must drop the camera down to the subject’s level (your lens will often sit just above the table).

6. Choose the right light

food photography ideas strawberry in dramatic light
Canon 70D | 55mm | f/2.8 | 1/60s | ISO 100

The type of light and lighting setup you use will determine the mood and ambience of your food photography.

Do you prefer to do dark, moody shots or light and ethereal ones? Do you like to use artificial light or daylight? Should the light come from the side, the back, or the front?

There isn’t a hard rule that says what’s right or wrong. Make lighting choices based on what you want the image to communicate.

7. Take some macro shots

macro popcorn piece on kernels
Canon 70D | 200mm | f/5.6 | 1/6s | ISO 100

Macro photography produces magnified food close-ups, and it can be a simple way to add some variety to your food photography.

To achieve macro magnifications, I recommend a macro lens or extension tubes, though you can do near-macro photography with a telephoto lens.

You might capture macro images of a small ingredient, or you can highlight a detail from a bigger dish. It’s a creative approach that can enhance common subjects. Here are a few tips to get you started with macro food photography:

  • Always use a tripod. At macro magnifications, even the smallest movement can change the focus and composition. A tripod will lock in your focus and keep the composition consistent.
  • Use the rear LCD and focus manually. In macro photography, the depth of field is very shallow. If you want to nail the focus every time, you should forget about the viewfinder and work with the LCD screen of your camera. Then you can zoom in and manually adjust the focus.
  • Use the self-timer or a remote release. This will avoid any camera shake from pressing the shutter button.

8. Food is culture, so step out of the studio

food photography ideas food market spices
Canon 50D | 35mm | f/4.5 | 1/25s | ISO 400

As Penny De Los Santos, a former National Geographic, award-winning photographer, says: “A food photographer is a visual food anthropologist. It’s not just about food on a plate; [it’s also about] the moments, the connections, the scenes, the places, the stories.”

Most people think of food photography as a prepped-in-the-studio job or as quick smartphone photos at a restaurant. But photographing a harvest or a food market allows for other types of food photography (that blend with genres such as travel photography and documentary).

So to enrich your food photography experience and to expand your creativity, give this a try!

9. Develop your personal style

artichokes in a basket
Canon 70D | 40mm | f/8 | 2 sec | ISO 100

Food photography is a vast field with many different approaches. What type of food photography do you want to do? Lifestyle photography? Still life? Product shots?

Another way to think about this is to start with the type of subject you want to shoot. You can choose between raw materials or cooked dishes. In any case, the decisions you make will determine your personal style and aesthetic.

Don’t worry, though; you don’t have to decide everything at first. Once you’ve made a few basic choices, your style will develop as you go. Then you can reflect on it, make conscious decisions, and perfect it with time.

But remember that your editing process will influence your style, so pay attention to it, too.

10. Retouch your photos

grapes with and without post-processing
Canon 70D | 45mm | f/7.1 | 1/5s | ISO 200

If you’re not working with a home economist or a food stylist, you might not have the perfect-looking dish or ingredient every time.

That’s where your retouching skills come into play. In Photoshop, you can perfect the edge of a rough cookie, color the border of a not-yet-ripe fruit, or reposition the cherry on top of a cupcake. You can also get rid of any unwanted reflections.

11. Use presets

food photography ideas grapes in Lightroom

Using presets and actions is a great way to speed up your editing and develop a consistent workflow. You can make your own presets, or you can get them from other professionals. There are many options on the market either for free or for sale.

Food photography ideas: conclusion

Well, that’s it:

11 food photography ideas to get your creative juices flowing. So have some food photography fun!

Now over to you:

Which of these food photo ideas is your favorite? Do you have any food photography shots you’re proud of? Share your thoughts (and photos) in the comments below!

The post 11 Food Photography Ideas (for Easy Inspiration) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Ana Mireles.


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13 Creative Food Photography Ideas (For Unique Results!)

04 Mar

The post 13 Creative Food Photography Ideas (For Unique Results!) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Bond.

13 creative food photography ideas

If you’re looking for creative food photography ideas, then you’ve come to the right place.

Because in this article, I’m going to give you 13 fun ideas to take your food photography to the next level.

So if you’re ready to move beyond basic food photos, and if you want to start creating compelling artistic images with your food…

…then let’s dive right in!

creative food photography ideas food as a map of the world
Food photos can have a message and a concept.

1. Try different points of view

Here’s a simple yet effective food photography idea:

Change your perspective.

You see, most people view their food from a sitting position. And that’s how many casual food photographers approach their food.

But if you adjust your angle, you’ll capture food in a very different way.

Here are some perspectives you could try:

  • Bird’s-eye view: Aim your camera directly down at the food from above.
  • Plate level: Get down on the same level as your plate and photograph across it.
  • Wider scene: It’s tempting to focus only on the food. Instead, use a wider lens to show the scene around the food (plus the food itself, of course!).
shooting a plate from above
The bird’s-eye view angle is an effective one! Here, some food styling adds to the overall look.

2. Experiment with the white balance

Food is often photographed with an off-camera flash, which opens up a lot of creative possibilities.

One trick:

Put a gel on your flash (such as a blue gel or an orange gel). Then adjust the white balance of your camera to compensate for this color shift. Finally, fire your flash at the subject (while aiming to keep the background untouched by artificial light).

If you’ve done your work carefully, you’ll end up with a colorful background (a color opposite that of the flash gel), but neutral food!

3. Use a food artist

Getting someone to professionally style your food before shooting will give your photos a more creative feel.

As a photographer, you’ll be leaning on the creativity of your stylist here; your job will be to compose and light your image in a professional way.

close-ups are an artistic creative food photography idea
Detail photos can create an unusual narrative. This is a close-up of a Korean kimbap slice.

4. Try out some light painting

Food photography is, in essence, a form of still life (though one that needs to be carried out while the food still looks fresh!).

As with most still life photography, you can use light painting to give your images a more dynamic look.

Here’s how it works:

First, set up your food and determine your composition.

Set your exposure, making sure the shutter speed lasts 10 seconds or more.

Then fire off a shot and use some form of light to “paint” your food.

(Anything that emits light could be used, from a smartphone to a programmable LED light stick.)

If all goes well, you’ll end up with a very pro-looking image!

light painted pastry
Light painting with food photography is fun! I used a smartphone to create an artistic background.

5. Think about the background

If your photograph includes a background, you’ll need to use it in an aesthetically pleasing way.

Because the background matters – almost as much as the foreground, in fact!

Fortunately, there are a few easy strategies you can use to create a stunning backdrop:

  • Bokeh: Use a large aperture, focus on your main subject, and blur the background. Add some lights in the background for beautiful bokeh light balls.
  • Plain: Stick colorful paper or a painting behind your subject for a more standard, plain look.
  • Show a scene: Include the wider scene to give your food some context. (This could even include the restaurant where the food has been served!)
bowls with background bokeh
A large aperture blurs the background into beautiful bokeh.

6. Reflect your food

Here’s a creative food photography idea that makes for very modern, sleek images:

Reflect your food in glass for a double image.

Simply set up your food on a glass panel. Then lower your camera angle until you get a nice reflection in the glass.

You’ll want to make sure your food is well-lit – but be sure to avoid obvious balls of light bouncing off the surface of your glass.

cake reflection with bokeh in background
Here, a cake is reflected on a sheet of glass.

7. Tell the story

Cooking and preparing food is a process.

So every dish goes through a journey before it gets plated and put on a table.

Try to document that journey! Look to take photos of food at various points along the way to the table, so you can create a complete picture of the food.

Here are a few times when you might want to photograph food:

  • When it’s growing. Food needs to be produced, and photographing it during this phase can help you tell a story, especially if you’re creating a series of images.
  • When it’s sold. A visit to the market is a fantastic opportunity for food photography because vendors often display their food in an interesting way.
  • When it’s cooked. If possible, photograph the chef as they prepare the food. Pro tip: If you can capture the chef adding the finishing touches to a dish, you’ll get an especially satisfying shot.
  • On the table. The majority of food photos are of the plated meal. There’s nothing wrong with photographing food at this point; just aim to use some of these ideas to capture more creatively plated food photos.
a chef framed by rice paper
A chef creates a fresh spring roll with rice paper (and he’s framed by rice paper, too!).

8. Create some detail photos

Get out that macro lens, and get in close to your food!

First, this will offer some interesting, never-before-seen perspectives.

Plus, focusing on the detail or shape of food just makes for some very cool photography!

Try focusing on a single item of food. Then switch it up, and capture lots of the same food repeating throughout your photo.

food framed with key objects is one example of a creative food photography idea
An off-camera flash captures the steam coming off the noodles.

9. Frame your food

Food photographers rarely frame food with important contextual elements.

But if you can find ways to create an interesting frame, you’ll end up with a much stronger composition.

For instance, you might try surrounding the main food item with items that relate to it, as I did in the photo below:

strawberries framing the food in the center
Here, the strawberries frame the main subject and add narrative to the photo.

Or you can use plates or cutlery to frame the food.

Really, the sky is the limit!

10. Try lensball food photography

Lensball photography is a fun technique that uses a crystal ball to create unique photos. Like this:

sushi in a lensball
A lensball can provide a different perspective for food photos.

And they’re easy to use, too!

Just place your lensball close to the food…

…and you’ll get a very cool result.

11. Shoot food floating in midair

If you want to get a bit wild with your food photography, then try some midair shots!

For instance, you might show a banana floating off the ground, or a carrot suspended against a dark backdrop.

And if you want to take this a step further, you can try cutting up the food – so you get a set of suspended food slices smack-dab in the middle of your photo.

Of course, you’ll need to build some type of stand for your food (or use a technique like this one here), and you’ll need Photoshop to complete the effect.

But if you’re willing to put in the work, the results will be worth it!

12. Create a splash!

You can use water (or other liquids) to give your food a fresh feel – especially if you’re willing to get the food wet.

Now, there are a couple of different approaches to this. Both use flash to get that moment of capture.

  • Splash: Drop liquid-like milk, water, or juice onto food to create a splash.
  • Food into water: Drop food into a tank of water. Then photograph the food as it creates bubbles and splashes. Of course, this works best with fruit and vegetables; cake will likely be a bit messy!

13. Freeze your food

Here’s your final creative food photography idea:

Put your food in a tub of water, then stick it in the freezer.

Check back in a bit, and you’ll have a block of ice – with the food encased inside it!

Take out the block and photograph through the ice. You’ll end up with some unique images, like this one:

frozen fish in ice
I froze these fish in a block of ice.

While you can try this technique on many different types of food, I like to use it for fish photography. It can even look like the fish are swimming in the water!

Creative food photography ideas: final words

Now that you’ve finished this article, you know plenty of creative food photography ideas.

And you’re well on your way to capturing some unique photos.

So take your camera, find some food, and have fun!

Now over to you:

What food do you plan to photograph? Which of these creative ideas do you plan to use first? Share your thoughts (and images!) in the comments below.

The post 13 Creative Food Photography Ideas (For Unique Results!) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Bond.


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Food Photography Techniques and Tips

24 Oct

The post Food Photography Techniques and Tips appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jonathan Pollack.

Editor’s note: This article was updated in October 2020.

I originally wrote this article in 2009 when I was beginning to take pictures for my wife’s baking blog and various local magazines. Since then, I’ve had a lot of practice, and I’ve honed my food photography techniques.

I’m thrilled to update everyone with what I’ve learned, and I hope that you find the information here helpful when taking pictures of your food.

food photography techniques example

Food styling

food photography techniques spread

When you’re taking pictures of food, it’s critical that your subject looks as good as it hopefully tastes. If you don’t have the budget to hire a food stylist, it’s important to know some basic styling techniques that can make food look its best.

Make more food than you think you’ll need, and always photograph the examples that look the best. You cannot make a burnt waffle or soggy asparagus look appetizing.

food photography techniques

Props can help you set the mood for your food photos. I have a basement full of plates, platters, chargers, cups, glassware, utensils, napkins, tablecloths, surfaces, and cutting boards at my disposal. With those, I can pull together what I need to set a table (or a portion of a table) for a picnic setting, a fine-dining scene, or something in between.

While you don’t need to have a ton of food photography props, I recommend that you at least have a few place settings and utensils, as well as a nice surface to photograph on.

ice cream and berries

Plating your dish properly can elevate it from mundane to extraordinary. If you aren’t working with a professional chef or food stylist, I recommend you read articles and watch video tutorials about plating as a starting point.

Think about ingredient placement, creating height or depth, adding color, or increasing contrast.

Here are a few plating tips to improve your food photography:

  • Plate an odd number of the item you’re photographing.
  • Add garnish where appropriate, such as with soups.
  • Lean longer flat items against those with some height.
  • Use edible flowers or fresh herbs to add some contrasting color to your plate.

Food photography composition

cake with cherries

When taking pictures of food, you have the advantage of a subject that is stationary. This means you have complete control over the camera’s position and angle, and how close or far away the camera is from the scene.

To get the best composition, I recommend you start with a few food photography techniques:

  • Use the traditional rule of thirds to yield strong compositions if you don’t have a lot of experience. Mentally divide your frame into a 3×3 grid and place key elements at the gridlines or intersections. Once you’re familiar with the rule of thirds and you can see how it can lend power to your scene, treat it as a suggestion and experiment.
  • Draw the viewer into your composition. Show part of the plate in your photo rather than the entire dish. Use utensils or napkins to help guide the viewer’s eyes to what you want them to focus on. And remember that the same contrasting elements that help you style a plate will also work in your favor when it comes to composition.
ice cream dish
  • Use negative space to make a powerful photo. Clutter in your scene causes visual confusion, so remove it. The less your viewer is drawn to, the better.
  • Think of how the dish would best be viewed. Head-on views, overhead shots, and views looking slightly down into the dish are always preferable to looking down at a plate from a 45-degree angle.
  • Keep your camera level. Early in my food photography career, I felt that angles conveyed a sense of excitement to the viewer. They did – because they made it look like the food was falling off the plate! I stopped rotating my camera, and my photos became much stronger overnight.
  • Zoom with your lens and your feet. There are times when macro photos of food work well, and there are times when a wider shot conveys a better sense of place and atmosphere. See if background compression helps remove distractions from your dish. Try a number of options with your food and see what works best.

Food photography lighting and exposure

food photography techniques cupcakes

While you don’t need the absolute best equipment to photograph food – I’m using camera equipment that’s a decade old! – you do need to think about how your choice of lighting, exposure, and even camera equipment affect your photo.

Placing your dish with natural light to the side and behind generally yields great results, but it’s also not consistent or reproducible; a passing cloud or thunderstorm can suddenly destroy all of your styling and composition efforts.

If you’re working on taking photos over the span of a few hours and you want them all to look similar, I highly recommend that you use artificial light of some sort. Most food photos I’ve taken indoors are photographed using flashes with diffusion from behind or off to the side of the food. I use reflectors to bounce some light back to the front of the dish, if needed.

If you’re working within a budget, consider getting inexpensive work lights and putting white linens between the lights and your food.

food photography techniques

Learn how to use the exposure triangle whether you’re using natural or artificial lighting, and start setting everything on your camera manually. Aim to blur out your background while keeping the foreground nice and sharply focused. And, of course, make sure everything is lit just right.

Equipment for food photography

The best camera equipment in the world won’t help if you haven’t learned what to do with it. I always advise people to start by renting equipment or buying cheap, used gear.

To start off, I recommend a tripod, a camera body that supports detachable lenses, and a medium zoom lens. I encourage you to learn to shoot and edit RAW photos, as you can adjust far more in post-production with them than you can with JPEG images.

If you’re ready to move on from your basic camera setup, I recommend you buy color calibration equipment and lighting. And when you feel confident that you have a good understanding of all of the gear you have and you feel that your current gear is holding you back, finally commit to a full-frame camera system and professional lenses.

Food photography techniques: conclusion

What food photography techniques have worked for you? What techniques have been problematic? Please let me know in the comments!

The post Food Photography Techniques and Tips appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jonathan Pollack.


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How to Achieve Dark and Dramatic Food Portraits

24 Sep

The post How to Achieve Dark and Dramatic Food Portraits appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Charlie Moss.

Unless you’ve been under a rock for the last few years, you can’t have missed the growth of food portraits. They are everywhere, from the high-budget advertising of supermarkets and artisan food brands to amateur photographers on Instagram.

If you’re even slightly interested in food photography, wherever you look you’ll be presented with sensuous images of beautifully-styled food portraits. From burgers with perfectly placed drippy cheese to vintage-styled cakes laden with fruit, it sometimes seems that the photography world has gone food-mad.

What is a food portrait?

One competition with a food portraiture category says that they want to see images of food that are “good enough to eat.” But a look through their gallery of previous competitions suggests something more.

food portraits
A food portraiture before and after images.

Fujifilm X-T20 | Fujifilm XF 35mm f/1.4 R | 35mm | 1/50 sec | f/8.0 | ISO 200 | Window Light + Reflector

In food portraits, the food is the hero. It’s not about the farmer, the shop, or the packaging; the photograph is unapologetically about the food. And it should make you want to reach right into the picture and take a bite.

There are many styles of food portraits. Sometimes it’s about the hero ingredient and other times it’s about the finished dish. But it’s never about the person who made it or the place the food is being served.

Some photographers love a bright and airy feel to their images. Their shots wouldn’t look out of place in a designer loft apartment. Others prefer a darker-styled shot. And it’s this style that I’m going to focus on in this article.

(If you’d like some inspiration, just search “dark food photography” on Pinterest or Instagram and start scrolling.)

Choosing a subject

Not every piece of food makes for a great subject. If you’re shooting an ingredient before it’s prepared, then don’t be afraid to look for the most perfect or characterful examples you can find in the shop. Every flaw or imperfection will feel like it has been magnified by ten when you photograph it.

Of course, sometimes you might like to deviate from images of perfect ingredients! The potatoes I photographed in the pictures for this tutorial were delightfully gnarled. They come from a period in UK food production called “the hungry gap;” during this time, the last of the winter vegetables are on the table while we wait for the fresh spring produce. Always look for a story in your images.

If you’re planning on shooting a finished dish, then it needs to be plated both beautifully and creatively. This takes practice, and many professional photographers hire food stylists to help them with the job. Don’t be disheartened if it takes a while to get the hang of cooking and plating food that looks good in photographs (besides, you get to eat your attempts while you practice).

food portraits

Take your time composing your scene. As you can see from the screenshot of my Lightroom catalog above, I knew roughly what I wanted from the start, but ended up making many minor adjustments to the potatoes I was photographing.

Don’t forget to think about your props and background. They are as much a part of the shot as the food itself. You can make your images even more unique by painting your own backdrops.

Keep it simple

To shoot dark food portraits, you don’t need an elaborate, complicated, or expensive setup. These potatoes were simply shot on a tabletop with a painted background and a fake wooden surface. There is natural morning light coming from the left-hand side of the image. On the right, I positioned a piece of cardboard with some tinfoil wrapped around it to act as a reflector.

food portraits

Once I’ve shot a photograph that I’m happy with, I like to apply a general Lightroom preset to add contrast and color grade the image. This kind of subtle color grading can really help to set your photo apart.

Changing the color tones in this way is something that people who aren’t photographers often don’t do with their images, and so it adds a more polished look in the eyes of many viewers.

Take it to Photoshop

Once I’ve set the basic color that I want in Adobe Lightroom, I open the image in Photoshop. Photoshop lets you use layers, which ultimately allows you to have greater control over the image you are creating.

Apply sharpening

The first thing I always do when I’m opening an image in Photoshop is apply some gentle sharpening. It just crisps up all the details so that you can get to work.

food portraits

My method for this initial sharpening is to first duplicate the background layer. You’ll need to get a copy of your image onto a new layer in order for this method to work. You can right-click on the existing layer in the layers panel and choose “Duplicate Layer.”

Apply a high pass filter with a radius of about 1.5 on the new layer that you just created. The high pass filter is found in the “Filter” menu (look in “Other” at the bottom of the list). The radius you need will vary, but if you look closely at the image above, you’ll see that the “ghost” of the image is barely visible when you preview the effect that the high pass filter is having.

Once you’ve done this, set the layer’s blend mode to “Overlay,” and you should see the effect of the high pass filter that you just applied.

Dodge and burn

You can make dark food photographs really come alive by using dodge and burn creatively, and that’s the technique at the heart of the example image above.

food portraits

Rather than using the dodge and burn tools built into Photoshop, try this method instead. First, create two new layers. Name one “Dodge” and one “Burn.” In the “New Layer” dialogue box, make sure that you check the option to fill the layer with an overlay-neutral colour and set the blending mode to “Overlay.”

Then, using a soft brush set to 100% opacity but with a low (2-3%) flow, you can start to bring the image to life. Use a black brush on the burn layer to deepen the shadows and a white brush on the dodge layer to brighten the highlights.

Go gently and try not to lose too much detail! The trick with dodging and burning is to build up the effect slowly. Use brushes and layers like a painter uses light and shadow to shape the food portraits that you have photographed.

food portraits
Before and after dodging and burning.

You can always turn down the opacity of a layer if you go too far, or you can even delete it and start again altogether. If there’s just a small bit that you’re not happy with, you can apply a layer mask and just mask out that small section.

Finishing the food portrait

To finish off the image, I added a digital texture to the background and faded it until it was almost invisible. It had the effect of softening the painted backdrop slightly, which is a look I preferred.

food portraits

This basic approach of editing colors in Lightroom (perhaps using a preset), sharpening the image in Photoshop, and then dodging and burning the photograph is one that can be applied to many different kinds of photographs.

I’ve used the same approach in architectural photography as well as portraits, but I feel that it really shines as a technique when it comes to dark and dramatic food portraits.

The post How to Achieve Dark and Dramatic Food Portraits appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Charlie Moss.


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Creative Abstract Photography with Food Coloring and Milk

10 Apr

The post Creative Abstract Photography with Food Coloring and Milk appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.

Creative Abstract Photography with Food Coloring and Milk featured image

Like any art form, photography thrives on experimentation. Creative abstract photography with food coloring and milk is a simple process, but it produces vibrant and immediate results. Using ingredients sourced from the pantry and the fridge, this is a fun project with plenty of room for creativity.

photography with food coloring and milk
f/5.0 1/125 ISO 100 x 2

A bit of history…

Ever since they were discovered, humans have been enamored by the creative possibilities of dyes. Dyed flax fibers found in the Republic of Georgia in a prehistoric cave have been dated to 36,000 years BP.

The earliest dyes were obtained from animal, mineral and vegetable sources. Rare resources that produce brilliant and permanent colors like Tyrian purple and crimson were highly sought-after in the ancient and medieval world. As technology progressed, so did artistic mediums, creating more accessible and safe dyes and pigments.

Creative Abstract Photography with Food Coloring and Milk
f/2.0 1/50 ISO 500

The practice of adding colorants to food itself is thought to have started in Ancient Egypt around 1500 BC. Candy makers would add wine and colored extracts to their wares to make them more visually appealing to customers.

Nowadays, a variety of safely consumable dyes are readily available in grocery stores, cooking shops, etc. The vibrancy and behavior of these colorants has fascinated many, with food dyes being adopted for artistic purposes too.

How to make abstract photography with food coloring and milk

You will need:

  • a camera with a macro lens or extension tubes etc
  • a tripod (optional)
  • 1/4 of a cup or so of plant-based or dairy milk
  • food dye in a range of colors
  • dish soap (optional)
  • a white dish or bowl
  • a mixing utensil or two
  • paper towel or a sponge or cloth to clean up any spills

Setting up

The first step to creating abstract photography with food coloring and milk is to prepare your canvas – the milk!

Sit your dish or bowl on a level surface exposed to a decent amount of natural light (or you could use flash).

Pour your plant-based or dairy milk into the dish so that the dish is covered by a few millimeters of liquid. Make sure you have a sponge or cloth at the ready to wipe up any spills.

food coloring and milk photography
f/5.6 1/200 ISO100

Next, set your camera up. You want it primed and ready for action as you drop the food dye into the milk.

For this project you can use a tripod to keep the camera steady, freeing up a hand to adjust the dye. You can also hand-hold your camera, whichever feels more comfortable. You can angle the camera any way you like, just as long as it is focused on the milk-filled dish.

Now for the dye!

Once your camera is ready, add a few drops of dye into the milk. Start taking photographs, gradually introducing more dye as needed.

As the dye spreads, try adding different colors to create a more layered effect. You can also stir the dye with a mixing utensil, cultivating intriguing shapes and forms.

Creative Abstract Photography with Food Coloring and Milk
F/8.0 1/125 ISO 400 | f/19.0 1/125 ISO 400

To create a sense of movement in your abstract creations, try blowing on the milk/dye through a straw, or fanning the concoction with a fan.

You can even add a little water, dish soap or vegetable oil to create separation within the dye and milk mixture.

Creative Abstract Photography with Food Coloring and Milk
f/8.0 1/125 ISO 400 | f/13.0 1/125 ISO 400

Once you are finished with a batch of food dye and milk, you can start again with a fresh bowl! Just remember to add the dye gradually so as not to over-saturate the mixture too quickly.

photography with food coloring and milk
f/3.5 1/250 ISO 400 | f/22 1/125 ISO 400

Conclusion

Photography with food coloring and milk renders visually fascinating results. With a few simple ingredients, photo-worthy abstract images are created in a whirl of unrepeatable patterns and layers.

I’d love you to try creating abstract photography with food coloring and milk and share your results in the comments below!

The post Creative Abstract Photography with Food Coloring and Milk appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.


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How to Create a Budget Tabletop Photography Setup for Shooting Food and Products

31 Mar

The post How to Create a Budget Tabletop Photography Setup for Shooting Food and Products appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jackie Lamas.

It can feel like photography is a money vortex and unless you have an unlimited amount, many types and styles of photography may seem out of reach. We’re here to tell you that you can create your own tabletop photography setup on a budget and still create some amazing food and product photography.

tabletop photography setup
The white paper in this setup is used to help bounce light back ono the products as the window (the main light source) is at camera left.

All you need is a trip to your local dollar store and craft store, and you’ll have a set up ready to go that won’t break the bank. It will also let you create the images your clients will love.

What is a tabletop photography setup?

A tabletop photography setup is generally used to photograph products and food for commercial or marketing services.

tabletop photography setup
1/20 sec; f/3.2; ISO 1600 using a 50mm lens. The product is the coffee mug and to get this shot I used a table I already had, a bright window to camera right, and notebooks to give it more height.

In recent years, tabletop photography setups have moved away from the Lightbox and toward more authentic setups thanks to social media.

The basic tabletop photography setup is a table, backgrounds, tabletop backgrounds, and nice light source that you can use to light your products and food.

What you need for a basic setup

A tabletop photography setup doesn’t have to be complex or involve a lot of materials. You can have a simple setup that offers you a variety of backgrounds, looks, and setups all in the same spot, at the same table.

tabletop photography setups
There is a big window to camera left and here we can see the basic setup with kraft paper and white paper taped to the wall.

You’ll need:

  • a table or any stable surface to place items onto of
  • a few backgrounds like a white paper, kraft paper, black paper, foam boards, different types of fabric and textures
  • depending on your products/food you’ll need some stands, dishes, and plates, or other styling items
  • tape
  • a large window for window light
  • clips or clamps to hold things down
  • a tripod for max aperture and depth of field to avoid camera shake.
tabletop photography setup
1/10 sec; f/14; ISO 400 using a 50mm lens.

This basic setup will help you to create your tabletop photography setup without the need to be in a big space or rent a studio. It will also keep costs down.

Get creative with backgrounds

While a table, solid plain wall and a good light source are the basic set up, it can often get boring. As you get more clients, you’ll want to have different setups to help you get more interesting photos.

tabletop photography setup
These were just a few of the backgrounds and items we had for styling. We didn’t use all of them but get creative with what you already have in your home.

A quick trip to the dollar store can help keep costs down. You can get items that can give your tabletop the right look and style for the product that you’re photographing.

How to Create a Budget Tabletop Photography Setup for Shooting Food and Products
1/15 sec; f/11; ISO 400 using a 50mm lens. You can see the window in the reflection of the watch.
How to Create a Budget Tabletop Photography Setup for Shooting Food and Products
Here is a behind the scenes shot of the watch. Using a lace dress for the background made for a moodier photo.

Choose different patterns for backgrounds, like this shower curtain I used to give the tabletop photography setup more of a marble texture and style. The watch stands out against the colors and pattern and creates a more interesting effect.

How to Create a Budget Tabletop Photography Setup for Shooting Food and Products
1/10 sec; f/14; ISO 400 using a 50mm lens. I took photo using a shower curtain and big sliding glass doors as the main light source. Both watch photos were taken minutes apart at the same table and distance from the window.

Different placemats work really well as backgrounds and tabletops for food photography as well as product photography. Letting you change the tabletop photography setup without having to directly paint or change your table.

How to Create a Budget Tabletop Photography Setup for Shooting Food and Products
Here we used a placemat and bowl from the dollar store and a kitchen towel already owned.

Posterboard can be really useful in creating a faux cyclorama wall for products giving the illusion of a seamless background. Taping fabric to the wall also works to help keep the backgrounds in place and creates seamless backgrounds.

Placemats of various textures and prints can also be perfect for food photography and work in many different settings for products as well.

tabletop photography setup
1/20 sec; f/8; ISO 400

Kitchen towels can also serve as props for your food styling as well as backgrounds.

Find the light

The biggest concern is getting enough light and that is what a big window is for.

How to Create a Budget Tabletop Photography Setup for Shooting Food and Products
1/200 sec; f/2.2; ISO 200. For this image, I used an external flash (580EXII) pointed at the ceiling for added light. If you have a flash, you can use it off-camera to create images with more pop.

If you don’t get lots of light in your home, go outside! Take your tabletop setup out onto your patio or yard. Find some good indirect shaded light to work in.

tabletop photography setup
1/20 sec; f/5.6; ISO 400. Using a plastic dollar store plate and the wood textured placemat as a background, this photo has a different feel. We even get a little reflection on the plate. The light source is a big window at camera left.

The idea is to create an evenly-lit tabletop setup so that you’re able to set your camera to the correct settings and get the look you want.

Having enough light to work with, lets you take away light with flags or create shadows with different items. You’re also able to get different exposures to your products or food.

How to Create a Budget Tabletop Photography Setup for Shooting Food and Products
Both of these images are shot at different times of the day with the window at opposite sides of the camera. The photo on the left has the window to camera-right, and was shot later in the day with twinkling Christmas lights behind. The photo on the right was shot with the window at camera-left during the morning.

Different times of day can give different types of lighting for your tabletop photography setup too. Take advantage of the lighting changes and experiment to see what light is best for the items you’re photographing.

tabletop photography setup
This photo was created a bit darker on purpose to create a more cozy effect and to capture the twinkle lights. Taken in the same location as the bowl photo above with the window to camera left. Settings are 1/20 sec; f/6.3; ISO 400.

Using available ambient light can really help keep costs down while doing tabletop photography and can offer lots of different types of lighting.

Don’t limit yourself to a table

With a lifestyle component, you can take your tabletop photography setup on the go. Take your backgrounds, fabrics, and styling items to different locations to get different types of photographs.

How to Create a Budget Tabletop Photography Setup for Shooting Food and Products
Taken outside under a covered area with bright sunlight behind the camera. I used a found bark branch to style the product. Settings are 1/400 sec; f/3.5; ISO 400.

You can photograph in a park, trail, cafe, or in front of an interesting wall in your neighborhood.

How to Create a Budget Tabletop Photography Setup for Shooting Food and Products
Taken on my sofa with settings as 1/500 sec; f1.8; ISO 400. The window is at camera-right.

Using your creative eye, you can photograph food and product photography just about anywhere that will save you money, while also giving you amazing results.

In conclusion

How to Create a Budget Tabletop Photography Setup for Shooting Food and Products
I created this on location at the restaurant where the food was photographed. It used ambient light ,which was a combination of window light and overhead daylight lamps. I adjusted the white balance to suit. f/160 sec; f2.0; ISO 400.

As you can see, creating a tabletop photography setup doesn’t have to mean spending loads on lighting, space, styling equipment or backgrounds. With a trip to your local dollar store and craft store, you can create stunning product and food photography for a fraction of the price.

tabletop photography setup
Aluminum foil and other kitchen supplies can work great to create a background that is interesting and fun. Settings are 1/20 sec; f/5.6; ISO 400 with window to camera left.

Your clients will love their photos and you will have a setup that you can use anywhere!

Do you have any other tips for creating a tabletop photography setup? Share with us in the comments section.

The post How to Create a Budget Tabletop Photography Setup for Shooting Food and Products appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jackie Lamas.


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4 Yummy Tips On How To Master Food Photography

14 Jan

Can you recall the last time you saw an advertisement for what looked like the PERFECT burger? Remember that mouth-watering feeling you experienced? Sorry to say this, but that burger was far from being perfect, or real. And, while this may be a disappointing truth as a customer, as a food photographer, you can use it to your advantage. Food Continue Reading

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