Do you want to snap those perfect food porn shots that make social media followers salivate? Even if you’re a rookie photographer, you can produce excellent food photos by following some simple digital photography tips. Whether you are using a mobile phone, mirrorless camera or any digital camera, these tips will equip you with the necessary skills to get that great shot.
Many people spend years to practice and develop their skills in food photography. While it is true that you need to allow plenty of time to learn, this does not mean you can’t start shooting now. Here are some general tips to help you get started and produce good food photos.
- Use natural light
You might already be tired of hearing this, but natural light is still the best. You should learn how to use it as much as you can. For the best food porn photography, use natural light, but it’s best to not place the food in direct sunlight. Because of the harsh light, a lot of the food’s delicate details are lost. Take images in indirect sunlight instead.Also, never use your camera’s built-in flash. It will only produce awful glares and shadows that will make your image look bad.Bonus tip: Hang a white curtain or sheet over your window to diffuse harsh sunlight.
- Choose the best angle
Is there one best angle when taking images of food? The answer is no, there isn’t. It will always depend on the type of food. For example, flat food like pizzas and soft tacos are better viewed from above. On the other hand, layered food like burgers, sandwiches, and cakes, look better from the side.But don’t feel limited. The best way to snap food photos is to take multiple shots from different angles. You can select the best image with the most perfect angle later.
- Style it
Shooting a plate of food alone will produce boring images. To spruce up the scene, try to include extra items. Some examples are utensils, colored or plain table napkin, and even ingredients that were used to cook the food.As for the background, it’s best to choose from a muted palette. But if you want to add ambiance to the image, you can use textured backdrops too.Here are a couple of things to remember when adding other elements:
1. Don’t make it too cluttered. Add items, but don’t make it too busy.
2. Don’t remove the spotlight from the main dish. Props can really do a lot for your image, but don’t let them steal the scene. Choose props that have neutral colors and design so they’ll make the main dish pop.
- Clean up
No matter how well the food and the props were arranged, a single drop of sauce or stain on the plate can ruin the presentation completely. Always keep plates, bowls, or any other thing that holds the food clean.
- Be steady
Unlike taking images of people and animals, blurs won’t work in food photography. You have to reduce camera shake as much as possible. If you can’t hold your camera steadier, use a tripod. You can also adjust the shutter speed, but you’ll need to adjust the aperture too.
- Don’t skip post-processing
Post-processing is needed to enhance color, light, and temperature. This will make your image more clear and vivid. Use a mobile editing app like Snapseed or a full desktop app like Lightroom.
As you continue doing food photography, you’ll learn a lot more including what equipment to use, little nuances for effective styling, and better image composition. For now, just enjoy the start of your dirty food porn photography journey. Happy shooting!