From plate to pixel: Discover the secrets of levelling up as food photographer
In today's digital world, many individuals prioritise capturing visually striking images of their meals before tucking in. The trend of sharing food photos has become widespread amongst consumers, particularly with the rise in popularity of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. But with the increasing popularity in consumer food photography, many professional food bloggers or photographers are struggling to stand out from the crowd in this sea of competition.
“With the rising popularity in food photography, it has become more difficult to make food photos look unique” says James Whitten, Marketing Manager at photoGuard.
So how can professional food photographers stand out in this competitive industry? Food photography goes beyond snapping pictures of food and great quality photos are often built on the core fundamentals and photography techniques. It is equally as important that food photographers establish their own personal style, which helps their photos look distinctive to them and unique.
Leading camera equipment insurer photoGuard created a guide full of tips and techniques to help food photographers and bloggers with capturing the full beauty of culinary creations.
Lighting
The most important factor to bear in mind when setting up any photo shoot is the light intensity and the way it impacts on the food displayed. Ideally, photographers should aim to take photos using natural lights, and should only use the flash or any overhead lighting when absolutely necessary.
The best way to select the right light source is to inspect the food from all angles. Where possible, it advised to experiment with the light in multiple rooms to find the best natural light and set up the scene accordingly.
Angles
Taking numerous images from a variety of angles will allow photographers to learn all the tricks of food display and what appeals most to viewers. For example, photos can be taken from above and at angles of 45-degrees and then individuals can choose their best photos once they have reviewed all the finished products.
Minimalism
When staging any image, it is essential to minimise the amount of clutter in the background. The food should always be centre-stage, and anything else is likely to distract.
“One of the best ways to further develop your professional food photography is to follow some of the most influential photographers on social media. However, it is important to establish and keep your own photography style that will make you stand out” adds Whitten.
Discover more food photography tips on:
https://www.photoguard.co.uk/food-photography-made-easy
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