Hot off the trail of Thanksgiving where almost everyone loves the food they eat and 9 times out of 10 people post their amazing meals on Instagram. I’m even guilty of it, after all who doesn’t love showing the internet what you’re eating tonight? If you’re serious about your smartphone food photography game and want to improve then here are 5 quick tips for you.
1) Less lighting is more
This means that food photography generally only requires one light sours: Natural Light. Unlike portraits and commercial products, food looks best with soft light and noting too harsh or grainy. Shooting at early morning or before sunset is ideal, also using light from a kitchen window or a restaurant window is a plus. If shooting at night, try placing your food near a candle or any other soft light source. Avoid flash at all times.
This means that food photography generally only requires one light sours: Natural Light. Unlike portraits and commercial products, food looks best with soft light and noting too harsh or grainy. Shooting at early morning or before sunset is ideal, also using light from a kitchen window or a restaurant window is a plus. If shooting at night, try placing your food near a candle or any other soft light source. Avoid flash at all times.
2) Angles are everything
This goes for about every type of photography but it is especially important for food photograph. Many great food photographs are taken from an upwards angle, meaning the photographer stands up to achieve the shot. If standing in a crowded restaurant isn't your forte, then try different angles until you find your perfect shot.
This goes for about every type of photography but it is especially important for food photograph. Many great food photographs are taken from an upwards angle, meaning the photographer stands up to achieve the shot. If standing in a crowded restaurant isn't your forte, then try different angles until you find your perfect shot.
3) Add depth of field
This is harder to achieve with a smartphone camera but it isn't impossible, many phones now have manual modes that mimic DSLRs. Giving your food photography a significant amount of death of field really draws your viewers eye to the main prop; the food. Props in the background are still visible but grabbing your attention.
This is harder to achieve with a smartphone camera but it isn't impossible, many phones now have manual modes that mimic DSLRs. Giving your food photography a significant amount of death of field really draws your viewers eye to the main prop; the food. Props in the background are still visible but grabbing your attention.
4) Props and colors are your friends
having props and color in your photographs adds an element of fun to your pictures. Color catches the viewer's eyes while the props can tie the whole picture together. However, do not add too much color to too many props. You want to the food to remain the focal point.
having props and color in your photographs adds an element of fun to your pictures. Color catches the viewer's eyes while the props can tie the whole picture together. However, do not add too much color to too many props. You want to the food to remain the focal point.
5) Have Fun
Like everything in life, if it isn't fun then why do it? Your food pictures do not need to be the end all be all of your life. So eat your food before it gets cold and have fun!
By Jade Cota
Like everything in life, if it isn't fun then why do it? Your food pictures do not need to be the end all be all of your life. So eat your food before it gets cold and have fun!
By Jade Cota