Want to capture pictures like a pro? We've got you covered with essential food photography tips that will transform your blog.
We know how important it is to capture those mouthwatering shots, and we're here to help you do just that.
These tips will give you the confidence to create stunning food images that will make everyone's taste buds tingle.
You'll also find answers to common issues and FAQs.
Let’s get started!
Food photography tips for beginners
1. Embrace natural light
Natural light is your best friend in food photography.
It brings out the colors and textures of the food but also creates a more natural look. So, here are a few tips to help:
- Seek out a well-lit area near a window or shoot outdoors in the shade during daylight hours. You want to find soft, diffused light to create a natural and inviting look.
- Avoid harsh, direct sunlight, as it can cast unflattering shadows.
- If you want to get creative, consider bouncing light. This means using reflective surfaces like foam boards to reflect the light onto your subject. It softens shadows and adds a beautiful glow to your food.
- Try different angles and positions to find the best lighting for your dishes.
Natural light works wonders for photos of food in a way that's hard to achieve with artificial light.
2. Work with what you've got
Don't feel discouraged if you don't have professional camera equipment.
You can still capture good food photos using the camera you have, be it a smartphone or a basic point-and-shoot camera.
Seemingly simple shots (like the watermelon pictured above) still look stunning by following these tips:
- Focus on composition, lighting, and creativity to make your images stand out.
- Pay attention to framing, rule of thirds, and interesting angles (more on these below).
- Experiment with different settings and apps that offer manual control to enhance the quality of your shots.
With photo editing, you can adjust exposure, brightness, white balance, and saturation.
Not sure what editing software to use? We recommend Adobe Lightroom. You can test it out with a free trial before committing to a month-by-month subscription.
At the end of the day, it's your unique perspective and creativity that will make your photos shine, not just the gear.
3. Experiment with food composition
Food composition is an art in itself.
But what is photography composition? Photography composition refers to how the elements are arranged within a photo.
It's all about finding the right balance and guiding the viewer's eye to the main focus of the photo.
- Have fun arranging ingredients in different ways.
- Consider the rule of odds by arranging elements in groups of three or five, which tends to be more visually appealing.
- Play with textures, shapes, and sizes to create contrast and interest.
- Use leading lines or curves to guide the viewer's eye toward the main subject.
You can take your photos from ordinary to extraordinary by paying attention to composition.
4. Get angle-savvy
Professional food photography is about finding the most appealing and visually pleasing angles.
So what are the best angles for food photography?
- Overhead Angle: Capture the famous flat-lay by shooting directly above the food. This angle is ideal for textured dishes or spreads with various elements. It's commonly used for overhead shots of loaded tacos, bowls, or food arrangements. Achieving this angle may require a step-stool or shooting at ground level. Just make sure not to block your light source when using the overhead angle.
- Table Height Angle: Place your camera flat against the table for this angle. It's perfect for showcasing thick, stacked, or piled foods. With this angle, you can capture texture and details, but be mindful of the background. Consider using an additional photography board or a plain wall to create the desired look.
- Three-Fourths Angle: This angle is between the table height and overhead angles. It works well for bowls of food, allowing you to see more of the contents. It's also helpful for showing depth in long, flat foods. The three-fourths angle provides a peeking-into-a-bowl effect, giving your photos an inviting feel. Position yourself at a 45° angle between 0° (table level) and 90° (overhead) for this angle.
Don't forget to think about the shape, height, and how you arrange your subject when playing around with different angles.
It's all about making your photos pop and grab attention!
5. Play by the Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds is a nifty little trick to make your photos look awesome!
You can use it in restaurant photography, cocktail photography, and, of course, food photography.
Here’s how it works:
- Imagine dividing your frame into a grid of nine equal parts using two horizontal and two vertical lines. (Your phone camera should have this built-in, or you can turn it on in the settings.)
- Place your subject off-center, in either the left or right third of the image, leaving the remaining two-thirds more open.
- This creates a sense of balance between your subject and the negative space in the photo, giving you an eye-catching shot.
Don’t be afraid to experiment! It’s all about finding what works for you.
6. Harness the power of the color wheel
Colors play a major role in setting the vibe and stirring up emotions in your images.
In fact, the wrong colors can distract or take away from great food shots.
Enter the color wheel, your trusty companion for creating picture-perfect harmony. It's like your personal guide to finding colors that go hand in hand.
- Use it to find complementary colors, which are opposites on the wheel, for striking contrasts.
- You can also rock harmonious color schemes like analogous or monochromatic ones for a sense of unity.
- Try vibrant ingredients, props, or backgrounds to make your food pop!
If your photos look dull or uninspiring, give the Color Wheel a spin.
Check out this Color Wheel from Canva, where you can play around with different colors and combos. It's a fantastic resource to help you get those creative juices flowing and style your photos like a pro.
7. Let props tell a story
Props are more than just pretty decorations in food photography—they're storytellers!
Food photographers use them carefully and thoughtfully. They can add depth and create a whole narrative around your dish.
- So, when choosing props, think about what complements the theme or style you're going for.
- Consider utensils, cutting boards, napkins, or ingredients related to the recipe.
- Props help set the scene, show off the ingredients, and take your audience on a visual adventure.
Let your creativity run wild as you experiment with different props. They'll add that extra oomph and personality to your food photos, making them even more intriguing and captivating.
Feel free to let those props do the talking!
8. Develop your unique style
Developing a unique style is key to standing out in food photography.
It's all about experimentation:
- Try different techniques, compositions, and editing styles! Let your artistic vision guide you.
- Consider the mood, colors, lighting, and overall vibes that reflect your personal taste.
- Don't be afraid to push boundaries and embrace your inner creative genius. Let your photos reflect your one-of-a-kind personality.
- Research new photography tutorials to learn more skills.
Food styling is key for taking pictures for a blog or restaurant. Make it your own!
So, go ahead and sprinkle your own touch of magic.
9. Pay attention to details
The little details make a big difference in food photography.
Pay attention to every element in your frame, from garnishes and toppings to textures and patterns.
- Zoom in and capture the details that make your dish unique and visually appealing. (Of course, don’t zoom in so much that your viewers can’t tell what they’re looking at.)
- Consider steam rising from a hot dish, crumbs on a rustic table, or the glistening surface of a freshly glazed cake.
These details add depth, realism, and an extra layer of allure to your photos.
Focusing on the finer aspects can elevate the overall impact and make your images more captivating and mouthwatering.
Common issues in food photography
Are you frustrated with the way your food photos are turning out? Don't worry! We've got some solutions to common issues for you to try.
Problem 1: Photos are out-of-focus
Blurry photos often happen because the camera shakes while you take the shot. Here's what you can do to fix it:
- Hold your camera steadier: Keep your hands as stable as possible while taking the photo.
- Use a tripod with a remote: A tripod keeps your camera completely still, giving you a sharper image.
- Adjust the shutter speed: A faster shutter speed can help reduce blur. You may need to open up your camera's aperture or find a place with more light to do this.
- Increase the ISO: Raising the ISO makes your shutter speed faster, reducing the time for the blur to affect your photo.
Problem 2: Colors look off
If your food looks overly blue, yellow, pink, or green when editing your photos, fix it using the white balance tools in your software.
Proper white balance makes colors look more natural.
Remember that in food photography, light is the most important aspect. Shooting in natural light allows you to adjust the color balance later.
Problem 3: Photos lack “pop”
Professional food photographers use lenses that allow them to focus on the main subject and blur the background. They also use photography software to enhance contrast, levels, and sharpness. Here's how you can achieve a similar effect:
- Use a lens with a wider aperture: By narrowing the depth of field, you focus on the subject and blur the background.
- Make simple edits in photo software: Adjusting contrast, levels, and sharpness gives your photo that extra “pop.” Play around with these settings to find the right balance.
Food photography FAQs
Got questions? Well, we got answers! Take a look at the frequently asked questions below.
What camera settings should I use for food photography?
The following camera settings should be used for food photography:
- Aperture: Use a wider aperture (lower f-number) to blur the background and focus on the food. Try settings between f/1.8 to f/4.
- Shutter Speed: Use a fast shutter speed, around 1/125th of a second or faster, to avoid blurriness caused by camera shake.
- ISO: Start with a low ISO setting, like ISO 100 or 200, to maintain image quality. Increase it if needed for brighter shots.
- White Balance: Set the white balance accurately for natural-looking colors. Use automatic or manual adjustment based on the lighting conditions.
- Focus: Opt for manual focus or select a single focus point in autofocus mode for precise control over the food's details.
What aperture should I use for food photography?
A wider aperture (lower f-number) is great to blur the background and focus on the dish. Try settings between f/1.8 to f/4.
What ISO shutter speed for food photography should I use?
For food blog photography, start with a low ISO setting, like ISO 100 or 200, to maintain image quality. Increase it if needed for brighter shots.
How do I make my food pictures look professional?
To make your food pictures look more professional, focus on the following:
1. Lighting: Use natural light near a window or shoot outdoors during the daytime.
2. Composition: Arrange the food thoughtfully, follow the rule of thirds, and try different angles.
3. Styling: Plate the food creatively and add complementary elements for visual appeal.
4. Depth of Field: Use a wider aperture to blur the background and draw focus to the food.
5. Post-processing: Enhance the photo's colors, contrast, and sharpness subtly.
6. Attention to Detail: Check for distractions, clean up spills, and pay attention to small details.
7. Practice: Take lots of photos, research professional work, and develop your style.
Ready to put your food blog photography tips to use?
So there you have it! These fantastic food blogging photography tips will take your skills from beginner to pro, no matter where you're at right now. You'll end up with very shareable photos for social media.
If you have a recipe website, learn how to make money as a food blogger. You’ll be surprised how many options there are!
You can also take a look at the best WordPress food blogs for some tasty inspiration.