FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY: BASICS
By Simbooker on the 20th June 2014
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Files & Tags: Food Photography and Styling, food porn
Food Photography is a very important aspect of my leap into the food blogging world. I want the photos to look inviting, appetising, clear, clean, crisp, colourful, mouthwatering ...we often eat with our eyes first.
So how do I strive to achieve this? One can learn something new every day on the subject of photography and food styling; they both go hand in hand. But I have a few basic, yet absolute fundamental rules on the topic.
So how do I strive to achieve this? One can learn something new every day on the subject of photography and food styling; they both go hand in hand. But I have a few basic, yet absolute fundamental rules on the topic.
1. NATURAL DAYLIGHT
The most important aspect of food photography for me is lighting. That is above all, the most important thing. Natural day light, is the only source of light I would ever consider shooting in. There are food bloggers that sometimes use artificial light, but artificial light simply does not work for me.
Natural daylight helps pictures to look clear, clean, crisp, inviting, warm and sometimes as if you're present. I find artificial lighting makes pictures look dull, uninviting, un-sharp, fuzzy, obscure, and UNAPPETISING.
Natural daylight helps pictures to look clear, clean, crisp, inviting, warm and sometimes as if you're present. I find artificial lighting makes pictures look dull, uninviting, un-sharp, fuzzy, obscure, and UNAPPETISING.
Examples of the Importance of lighting below:
The photo on the left was taken at night with only a lamp for view
The photo on the right was taken in natural daylight
The photo on the right is brighter, clearer, and
the colours and hues meld together harmoniously.
The photo on the left was taken at night with only a lamp for view
The photo on the right was taken in natural daylight
The photo on the right is brighter, clearer, and
the colours and hues meld together harmoniously.
Because of the fact that I place so much importance on lighting-most of my food photography takes place in the spring and summer months.This is simply because there are longer daylight hours in spring and summer.
You can build a photography studio with the best equipment; you can purchase the most expensive cutlery, you can have the most eye catching props, you can possess a top of the range camera, but these things don't count unless you have an adequate source of natural daylight to shoot your photos in.
As an avid food blog reader, it's interesting to see the differences in food photography, from one food blog to another. Some bloggers showcase darker, sultry or moody photos, others showcase photography with an
intensely artistic flair, there are bloggers who
prefer bright, clean and simple shots.
intensely artistic flair, there are bloggers who
prefer bright, clean and simple shots.
Some photographers take advantage of their expensive cameras to present their photos with that bokeh aesthetic. Others shoot the most amazing close-ups where you see every element of the dish in detail. As for me I am still learning, experimenting and growing. I think I am definitely in the bright, clean, and simple category when it comes to food photography.
2. Food Styling 3. Photo Editing
The second most important aspects are Food Styling and Photo Editing. I tend to take a minimum of fifteen photos of the same subject. But that is my bare minimum. In reality I take many more.
During my photo session I play around with plates, cutlery, crockery, backgrounds, fabrics, and too often the positioning of the food on the plate. Sometimes I have an idea of exactly how I want an image to look: A certain look can only be achieved through good food styling. But it's not always easy to get the perfect look you want. Although I strive to get things as close to what I've envisioned in my mind, as I can.
Once I feel I've taken enough pictures to choose from. I upload the photos to a folder on my computer and then I edit. My goal is to get that polished final finish.
During my photo session I play around with plates, cutlery, crockery, backgrounds, fabrics, and too often the positioning of the food on the plate. Sometimes I have an idea of exactly how I want an image to look: A certain look can only be achieved through good food styling. But it's not always easy to get the perfect look you want. Although I strive to get things as close to what I've envisioned in my mind, as I can.
Once I feel I've taken enough pictures to choose from. I upload the photos to a folder on my computer and then I edit. My goal is to get that polished final finish.
Editing is one of my least favourite parts of the ordeal. I say ordeal because it is one. The point of editing is to bring out the best in the photograph. This usually involves cropping, changing the lighting; making it either lighter or darker. Sharpening the image/s is often part of the process through contrast and brightness. It sometimes takes me hours to go through the photographs; trying to pick the best, and then editing them one by one.
This brings me to the most important non-factor in Food Photography. And other Food Photographers don't have to agree with me on this point, or any point I've made on this subject, for that matter. The camera that you use is not going to be the most important factor in producing satisfying images.
If you have an expensive camera and you don't know how to use it, then you're unlikely to get good images from it. Now please don't get me wrong. It can be hugely beneficial to have a more expensive camera. A Nikon, Canon, or a Pentax, definitely will produce high quality and desirable images when used correctly. Expensive cameras give you more control and potential in every aspect of food photography. But my belief is that it's not essential to have a top camera.
I've seen very good pictures taken with an inexpensive point and shoot, and blurry un-sharp images taken with an expensive camera.
What kind of Camera do I use? I've kept this a secret for a number of reasons, and one day I may reveal all. But I will say this. I've used a variety of cameras for my pictures on this website, and the best pictures were produced not from the type of camera I used, but taking the three basic fundamental steps....Natural Daylight, Sufficient Food Styling, and a fair amount of Editing. These three basic principles are what work for me.
What kind of Camera do I use? I've kept this a secret for a number of reasons, and one day I may reveal all. But I will say this. I've used a variety of cameras for my pictures on this website, and the best pictures were produced not from the type of camera I used, but taking the three basic fundamental steps....Natural Daylight, Sufficient Food Styling, and a fair amount of Editing. These three basic principles are what work for me.
NOT JUST A PLAIN WHITE PLATE
Many photographers believe that food looks best on a white plate. But in my opinion that's not necessarily true.
Sometimes I use white plates but I don't use white plating exclusively. Sometimes I find uniformed white plating a little stark, in contrast I like to use plates with colourful patterns. I like to mix it up.
WHEN IT POURS
Every now and then I like to take pictures where I am pouring liquid over the food. These pictures are hard to get and a nightmare to take but I think it's nice to have live photographs.
I look at cookbooks, magazines, and newspapers, as well as various websites for photo inspiration, and simply to view nice photographs of food. However, I have my own unique style, and would never want to trade my own style for anyone else's. I LOVE the photos in "Stylish Thai in Minutes." The photography is by Martin Brigdale. Some of my favourite sources of food photography are Waitrose magazines, Ina Garten's Cookbooks, Australia's Women Weekly Cookbooks, and many more.
My Favourite Pictorial Posts on Simbooker.
1. Cioppino 2. The Sunday Roast 3. Roast Pork in Apple Sauce 4. Roti 5. Duck Curry "Caribbean" 6. Duck Manchamanteles 7. Roast Duck German Style 8. Tandoori Chicken
9. Tagliatelle with Duck 10. Thai Glazed Orange Duck 11. Aloo Gosht
12.Yukgaejang/Korean Beef Soup 13. Porchetta Roast Pork 14. Greek Lamb Stew
15. Kare Kare 16. Roast Duck with Pancakes 17. Pho 18. Garlic Butter Oil 19. Thai Red Duck Curry
20. Jamaican Cow Foot Soup 21. Roast Chicken 22. Chicken Tikka Masala
NEW ENTRIES
23. Butter Duck Masala 24. Jerk Pork
My Favourite Pictorial Posts on Simbooker.
1. Cioppino 2. The Sunday Roast 3. Roast Pork in Apple Sauce 4. Roti 5. Duck Curry "Caribbean" 6. Duck Manchamanteles 7. Roast Duck German Style 8. Tandoori Chicken
9. Tagliatelle with Duck 10. Thai Glazed Orange Duck 11. Aloo Gosht
12.Yukgaejang/Korean Beef Soup 13. Porchetta Roast Pork 14. Greek Lamb Stew
15. Kare Kare 16. Roast Duck with Pancakes 17. Pho 18. Garlic Butter Oil 19. Thai Red Duck Curry
20. Jamaican Cow Foot Soup 21. Roast Chicken 22. Chicken Tikka Masala
NEW ENTRIES
23. Butter Duck Masala 24. Jerk Pork