Who doesn’t enjoy a good meal? Be it teatime or a scrumptious feast, there is barely anyone who does not find solace in a full plate. Now you can exhibit your appreciation of food through your photographs by keeping a few simple, hearty tips in mind.
Always try different angles to make your food look appetising. Photograph/Manu Mohan.
Pay Attention to the Arrangement
Food can look extremely unappetising if not photographed well. To make food look as appealing as possible, place the food in the best crockery available. Arrange the food in such a manner that it does not look flat and its textures can be easily visible. You can do so by layering the food items in interesting ways. You can also add elements like fresh flowers, a cutting board, fruits and so on. But, remember that these extra elements should only enhance the appeal of the photograph, they should not take the focus away from the food itself.
Look for Alternative Light Sources
Natural light is the best lighting source for photography. Place the food items near a window for great results. Sunlight makes food look fresh and inviting. Spend time looking for the perfect angle where the light hits the food. Avoid using the camera’s inbuilt flash, because it will create unwanted highlights.
Create Delicious Compositions
Compose your photograph with only one thought in mind—that you have to make the viewer feel like eating up the food immediately. Take several photographs from different angles till you find the one which suits your photograph best. For large food items, a tight close-up works best; whereas for smaller foods, try composing the entire plate. For liquids, cropping the bowl from either corner adds depth to the photograph.
Experiment with Settings
Try using different white balance settings on your camera to achieve unusual results. White balance settings like Shade and Cloudy will give food a warm effect. By using the Macro mode on your camera, you can capture the minute details of the food. Switch to Manual mode to experiment with depth-of-field. For instance, a shallow depth-of-field will help you add dramatic results.
This article originally appeared in the May 2012 issue of Better Photography.
Use your camera’s Manual Mode and experiment with different effects depth of field. Photograph/Zoran Ozetsky.