When Food and Photography Meet
by Low Jeremy
Photographing food is probably one of the most challenging kinds of photography
out there. It is considered difficult by most professional food photographers
because there is a time constraint in the whole photo shoot.
And since the marketability of the food itself depends primarily on how it is
seen in print, food photographers should be well trained and skilled in order to
come up with satisfying results.
Tips in Tasteful Food Photography
1. Know your camera well. It is a must that you familiarize yourself with all
its features and functions especially the basic operations like focus/auto
focus, exposure compensation, white balance, image resolution and size, and
flash modes operation. Know when to use these features in order to highlight the
best angles of your subject.
2. Familiarize yourself with other equipment. Knowing the proper use of a tripod
or stabilizer will help you focus on your subject better and will also avoid
camera shake that usually causes blurring.
3. Fill the gap and the distance. If space and time permit, get close to your
subject as close as possible. It is recommended that you fill the entire frame
of with your subject to create a satisfying image. Distance will give a full
view of the food's texture and ingredients.
4.Carefully calculated focus and depth-of-field (DOF). The use of depth-of-field
never fails to create wonders in food photo shoots. With careful adjustment of
focus and depth of field, you can bring to life any dish that is your subject.
(TIP: Use wider or more open for a shallow DOF and a smaller or more closed one
for a deeper shots.)
5. Identify the standout ingredient. Before taking any shot, assess the scene
closely and look for something that can grab people's attention right away. You
can use this main feature of the food as the subject of your subject.
6. It's all in the lighting. Like in any photography styles, lighting or
available light can make or unmake any photograph. Since food is the major subject
in food photography, it is better that the setting is bright and the lights are
soft so as to make the food more appetizing. In digital cameras, turning on the
White Balance feature of the equipment can solve dark settings in an instant.
7. Pay attention to your set-up. It is a must to take the time off to setup your
food photo shoot. If there are distracting elements in the background, remove
them. If you think there's something missing in the set up, then think of
something else that would fill the empty space or gap. Prepare the garnish, the
props, and other materials you might need for the shoot.
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