Photographing food in an appealing way is one of the most demanding areas of photography. Good photos of food and drinks should whet the appetite of the viewer and place certain demands on the quality of the shots. You often see it in restaurants: as soon as the colorful pizza or the sumptuous salad plate is on the table, people reach for their cell phones to take a quick snapshot. These snapshots usually only have the subject in common with real food photography.
You eat with your eyes. That's not just something to say. In fact, the design of a dish influences appetite and even taste perception. Professional food photographers take this aspect into account and present food and dishes in such a way that they become appetizing works of art.
Whether it’s for Instagram, your blog or a cookbook you want to publish, simple food photography tips make all the difference. It’s really important for your food to look appealing. Otherwise all of these potential clients of yours are just going to go run screaming in the other direction. We want them to be intrigued and drawn in and think, Oh, I could do that. Oh, that looks good.
When traveling, food is a huge part of the adventure. Food photography is a great way to share stories about travel. These tips will help improve your food photography results, but always keep an eye out for new approaches to shooting your dishes and let your imagination be your guide. When taking a photo of the pad Thai you just got at a local market, you are shining light on part of Thailand’s rich culture and legacy.
Understanding the Key Elements
The Importance of Detail
A steak lying lonely on a plate or a glass with colorful contents alone cannot create the same effect as a detailed motif. It is the details that give the main motif the right frame and have a decisive influence on the composition of the picture.
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Composition and Styling
The composition of the image always depends on the type of subject and the photographer's ideas. It can be minimalist and only show the desired motif against a plain background. Another variation is the artistic design with decorative details such as melting ice cubes in front of a drink, herb leaves on a dish, a special plate and elegant cutlery. The background can be clearly outlined and distinct or extremely softly drawn and restrained.
Even the way Ethiopian food is served, on a communal platter, is designed for sharing food with each other. Food is not meant to be eaten alone in the culture of Ethiopia. One thing I learned, by seeing it happen numerous times watching local Ethiopians eat, is that feeding someone a bite of food is seen as a very respectable or loving thing to do.
Color and Lighting
As previously mentioned, colors play an important role. Depending on the motif and the desired effect, reflections and mirroring can be intentional or deliberately avoided. Matting sprays or glossy oils applied to food, cutlery and other picture elements are helpful for this.
The angle of incidence and the color of the light are other important factors for successful photographs. This is especially true for food photography. Front light with a flash and a bird's eye view both lead to a flat appearance. If, on the other hand, food is photographed against the light and with appropriate backlighting, the image becomes much more structured and detailed.
In most cases, pictures of food require a warm light. Therefore, white balance is one of the important camera settings for food photos. Exposure compensation towards more brightness is helpful for backlit shots.
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12 Food Photography Tips for Beginners (That'll Actually Improve Your Photos)
Essential Equipment and Camera Settings
Cameras and Lenses
Many food photographers use Sony cameras for food photography. The SLR cameras in the Sony α7 series are particularly popular. With their precise control and extensive configuration options, they offer the perfect functions for food photography. However, appealing food photos do not necessarily require an SLR camera. The modern mirrorless system cameras from Sony, such as the α6300 model, are also suitable for food photography.
While many cameras today are already equipped with zoom lenses, Sony recommends lenses with a fixed focal length for food photography, for example in the slightly wide-angle range or as classic normal lenses with a focal length of 50 mm.
Generally speaking, prime lenses are the best: they are faster, sharper and lighter than zoom lenses. They will allow you to achieve a shallower depth of field which for food photography looks amazing, but at the same time, they offer just one focal length per lens.
Linda teams her Canon EOS 5D Mark II (now succeeded by the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV) with one of her four go-to lenses - the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM and the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM.
Select your lens depending on the composition of the image. Typically Linda teams her Canon EOS 5D Mark II (now succeeded by the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV) with one of her four go-to lenses - the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM and the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM.
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“If you’re new to photography, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a fantastic lens to start with,” she says. “It’s affordable, and the fact that you can shoot at a low f-stop with a large aperture will help in low-light situations, which is very important if you live in a country where the winters are long and dark. What’s more, it’s the perfect focal length for capturing a scene without having to get too close. For shooting from a distance, Linda recommends a wider lens. “To photograph the entire table, go for a lens like the Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 IS Macro STM, which would also be my choice for top-down shots.” Remember that if you’re shooting with an APS-C or crop-sensor camera, such as the Canon EOS 850D, a 35mm lens with a 1.6x crop factor will give a similar view to a 50mm lens on a full-frame camera.
Tripods and Lighting Tools
Further tips for food photography relate to equipment. Professional studio equipment is not required for amateur photography. However, a tripod is always necessary. In addition to a telescopic tripod, table tripods are ideal for food photography. So-called softboxes provide the soft lighting required for photography and support backlit shots. Professional studio lighting is also not required for this. Online stores already offer simple softboxes at reasonable prices.
A tripod is always handy to avoid camera shake, especially if you are shooting with low light during dinner. ND Filters can be attached to your fast lenses to be able to shoot at a low aperture like f1.4 even in bright conditions.
Camera Settings: Aperture and ISO
To create her enchantingly atmospheric style, Linda typically shoots with a wide aperture and a low ISO. “I tend to use an aperture of f/1.8 to f/3.2 and very rarely go above that,” she says. “I also suggest shooting with a low ISO without lowering the shutter speed too much. I try to stay around 1/125 sec if I’m shooting handheld, but if you’re using a tripod and you’re shooting a subject that isn’t moving you can go lower.” ISO capabilities vary depending on the model of your camera, but shooting at the lowest ISO possible is good practice.
Linda’s moodier shots are what’s referred to as ‘low-key’ shots, which means the subject is exposed correctly and the surrounding objects are darker. Linda edits her shots to achieve her desired aesthetic, but she says newcomers don’t need expensive software. Canon’s Digital Photo Professional is free for all Canon shooters, and there are plenty of free editing apps available for your smartphone.
Capturing Ethiopian Cuisine: Specific Tips
Understanding Ethiopian Food
The very first thing you need to know about Ethiopian food is something called injera. Injera is the staple and the most widely consumed starch / filler in all of Ethiopian cuisine; Most Ethiopians eat it injera, twice, or even three times a day. What is injera? Injera is made from a grain known as teff, which is ground into flour, made into a batter, slightly fermented, and then fried on a heavy skillet into a giant circular pancake.
Food in Ethiopia is served on a platter known as a gebeta, a large circular, usually metal platter. First, a circle of injera is placed on the gebeta, then the different stews, curries, or vegetables, that you’ve ordered are placed on top of the injera. To begin eating, first tear off a bite sized piece of injera with your right hand. No utensils are needed, you eat with your hands, while sharing a single platter of food with everyone you eat with.
Berbere - Berbere is the masala of Ethiopian cooking, it’s a mixture of different spices that forms the backbone of flavor for many dishes. Chili powder, fenugreek, ginger, garlic, cardamom, cinnamon, and whole bunch of other spices are combined to make berbere.
Mitmita - Mitmita is another similar blend of dry spices, but it’s often salty, and can either be used in cooking, or served as a side seasoning for meat. Awaze - Awaze is the paste version of berbere. You actually get some berbere dry seasoning and mix it with oil (often olive oil), and a bit of Ethiopian wine or whiskey.
Niter kibbeh - Another highly important ingredient is niter kibbeh, or just Ethiopian butter. The clarified butter is brewed with some spices like fenugreek, cumin, and turmeric, so it has a lovely flavor to it.
Styling Tips for Ethiopian Dishes
When photographing Ethiopian cuisine, focus on showcasing the communal aspect of the meal. The vibrant colors of the stews and the unique texture of injera can be highlighted with careful styling and lighting.
- Injera: Arrange the injera to show its spongy texture and use it to frame the other dishes on the platter.
- Stews (Wats): Use garnishes like fresh herbs or spices to add pops of color and visual interest.
- Platter Presentation: Ensure the gebeta (platter) is well-lit and that all the dishes are arranged in an appealing manner.
Specific Ethiopian Dishes to Showcase
Here are some specific Ethiopian dishes that are particularly photogenic and flavorful:
- Doro Wat: Chicken stew made with berbere spices, Ethiopian butter, chicken, eggs, and onions.
- Shiro Wat: Chickpea and broad bean flour stew, mixed with garlic and onions.
- Misir Wat: Lentil stew, varying in texture and spice levels.
- Kitfo: Raw minced beef dish, seasoned with spices.
- Gomen: Collard greens fried with butter.
Finally, I just wanted to mention that Ethiopian food is especially wonderful when you get to eat a mixture of different dishes in one meal or on one platter.
The Role of Motion
A particular challenge is posed by spices trickling onto the food or flowing liquids. They lend additional dynamism to the image. Some photographers work with steam in the background to achieve similar effects.
Speaking generally, food doesn’t move. For this reason, representations of food in paintings are most often composed as a ‘still life’. “The movement in the picture tells us a compelling story. When you see an image with a static composition, it can feel boring. Nothing is happening. You may not remember the picture later.
Seeing Yasmin’s images of food - many of which appear caught in motion - demonstrates how eye-catching a dynamic food photography shot can be. In much of her work, the food seems like it’s being assembled, with a final sprinkling caught mid-air. Yasmin tells us she uses thin wooden sticks and glue to prop small pieces of food into positions to provide the illusion of movement in the photograph. She then cleverly removes the sticks later using editing software.
These types of tricks are useful for capturing action-packed settings, such as frying up dinner on a wok. And remember: the action can come in many forms, from cheese sticking to the plate as you pull a slice of pizza from it, to steam billowing gently from a cup of coffee.
Even after capturing the image, the creative process continues. Yasmin often refines and enhances her compositions further by editing and adding elements on her tablet.
In addition to colour and texture, Linda suggests playing with details to liven up a lacklustre set, while also introducing a sense of scale and depth. “Out-of-focus items in the foreground and background are a good example,” she says.
Creative Printing and Display
Once you've taken photos of your creations, why not make a print? You can prepare for printing with ease using the Canon Easy-PhotoPrint Editor application. Transfer your images onto your smartphone using the Canon Camera Connect app or image.canon then open the images on Easy-PhotoPrint Editor app, choose a paper size and use the crop feature to get rid of any messy edges. You can also choose from a range of filters to enhance the tones.
Be sure to set the correct Media Type in the Print settings, Matte or Gloss, and set the print quality to Best. It's worth saving a print preset too - in the Preset dropdown - so you can use the same print settings on the rest of your food art with a couple of clicks.
Load a few pieces of Matte photo paper into your printer and start printing. Once finished, consider framing your prints. You could also use Canon Magnetic Photo Paper and stick your creations to your fridge, or use a Canon SELPHY Square QX10 to print directly onto stickable square photo paper!
Tips from Professional Food Photographers
Yasmin's Techniques
As a food photographer, you'll want to capture more than just the food. Utensils and cutlery are two examples of the sort of company food usually keeps. But you don't typically want the bowl that the food is photographed in to be your everyday bowl. It needs to complement the rest of the piece.
“When we eat, we serve food on a plate that is most often white and plain. When thinking about props for styling your food photography, you want to think about more than the colour. You should also consider the material and the overall aesthetic of the item. You can of course present your food on a plate, but there are other options too. A marble slab can add some heft, grandeur, and sophistication. Other props, such as fresh herbs, suggest freshness and flavour as well as adding in a new dimension of colour and texture. Spices and sprinkles can suggest further flavours still. And don’t forget about tablecloths and other kitchen items to add a desired colour into frame.
Exploring a range of patterns and textures beyond the food subject can elevate your composition. In Yasmin's photographs, she employs a keen sense of attention to detail, ensuring that each additional element contributes to the overall image.
In any genre of photography, there are going to be certain tricks of the trade you would usually only learn by experience. “We can use dishwashing liquid to keep the coffee foaming for as long as possible. We also grease meat with oil to make it look shiny and more delicious. We’ll also replace whipping cream with shower foam because it lasts longer and is not affected by the heat of the lighting.”
Yasmin uses wooden sticks to make her subjects look airborne with an illusion of weightlessness, adding a unique element to the image.
A big trend on social for pro-level photographers is ‘the set-up versus the shot’. Remember: through sharing food photos, we can make connections. Food is something that we associate with bonding together, and this is one of the reasons food photography has become so popular.
Linda's Secrets for Success
One way to find originality is through composition, and Linda's trick is to focus on colour. "I tend to use just two or three colours in a shoot," she explains. She uses shades of the same colour and then introduces complementary colours - those opposing one another on the colour wheel - to provide visual contrast.
“When styling a cake with purple icing, for example, I’ll try to bring something yellow or yellow-green into the photo. As well as colour, Linda advises experimenting with textures to add interest. “If I’m shooting a cake with lots of texture or patterned icing, I may opt for a smooth background to put the focus on the cake. In other situations, I may want everything to have a smooth texture, or I’ll include lots of different textures - it can be as simple as adding a wrinkled linen napkin.”
Those who have feasted their eyes on Linda's work can testify to the Scandinavian shooter's love of props, which are crucial for introducing extra textures and colours, as well as helping to establish the image's overall mood. “I have so many props,” she says. “Mostly older items that I’ve found in thrift shops and antique stores - they help to tell the story.
Linda’s arsenal of backgrounds is as extensive as her prop collection and includes all manner of materials such as wallpaper, gift wrap, linen curtains, wooden crates, old doors and chairs, and even vintage suitcases. “It doesn’t always have to be a wooden table,” she says. “You can create backgrounds out of anything. Why not paint a couple of pieces of wood? You can paint each side a different colour, and repaint when you want to change your look.”
While most people associate food photography with top-down Instagram-style shots, Linda says it's important to consider other angles too. "The angle I shoot depends on what I'm trying to emphasise. As most of Linda's work appears on her blog, she says quantity is as important as quality. "I post many shots, so I try to shoot from different angles to add variety and give the content a better flow."
