How to Take Great Photos of Your Food
As evidenced by the photos above, we have a handful of talented chefs here at Nature Links! Our participants always seem to be sending each other photos of meals they’ve prepared that they’re proud of. So it only felt fitting to host a class on food styling and photography this week. During our class, we analyzed a series of professional food photos and looked for things each photographer did really well in order to make their dish look as appetizing as possible. After analyzing these photos, we created a guide for others to use in order to take great photos of their food. Because when we create a meal that we’re proud of, sharing it with others can be an extremely joyful part of the experience. So check out the tips below, created by Nature Links participants. Hopefully, you’ll be able to use these pointers to take your next great photo of your recent culinary creation.
Nature Links Guide to Taking Great Photos of Food
Use natural light. Don’t use flash.
Using a flash can make the color of your photos too yellow and unappetizing. Instead, try to put your dish near a window on a sunny day to use natural light.
Use garnish.
Herbs like parsley, thyme, rosemary, and cilantro can add greenery and beauty to your photos. Dishes like soups and stews especially need garnish at times to help them look more appetizing.
Use food, flowers, and other objects to tell a story.
Sometimes, the photo you create is not just about the food itself. The objects around the food can help tell a story that helps communicate a specific mood or feeling to the viewer. Do you want viewers to see your photo and think about a beautiful spring Saturday morning or a sophisticated, fancy weeknight dinner? Flowers, napkins, fruit, candles, side dishes, condiments and other ingredients help to add more interest to your photos.
Think about your bowl or plate.
A dark black bowl or plate can tell a completely different story than a bright white one. Experiment with color and think about how the color of your dish changes the way your food looks. Avoid using bowls or plates with printed designs, since this can be distracting.
Try out different angles.
Sometimes, the best way to photograph your food is from directly above the plate (especially for something like pizza). But this angle wouldn’t make as much sense for a jar of basil pesto. Experiment with different angles and try taking at least 3 different photos of your food from above, lower, and to the side. Choose the photo that looks best and share it with friends and family to show off what you’ve made!
