Create Yummy Food Photography

Wether you’re a foodie or not, a job description that says ‘Food Photographer’ sounds pretty awesome. It can actually be a lucrative market for photographers too.

What is food photography? It’s basically still life photography and it’s mainly done for the commercial branch of photography. It’s the art of taking photographs of food for purposes of advertisement, packaging, menus or cook books. Im sure you’ve seen gorgeous looking cookbooks graced by photos of delectable and perfectly arranged food – that’s the workmanship of a great photographer. Food Photography is usually a collaborative effort as the photographer works with an art director and food stylist.

The field of food photography has grown. Proof? Food photography decades before produced images that are similarly arrange to the way people encountered their food. Today better props, better lighting, better angles help food be presented in a new seductive, appealing and delectable  manner, hence the term ‘Food Porn’,

How do you get into food photography? Practice and a lot of eating out. Professional food photographers  can really make a good living with this branch of photography, even those in it for the hobby can make as much with food blogs.

If you’re interest in pursuing food photography here tips you can follow. Remember, practice is key and so is attention to detail.

1. Props

The food is the star but the background tells the story. Food photography involves in you telling a story about the food so the props and background should help dramatize it. A photo of an enchilada is perfectly framed on a a festive yellow tablecloth, something that reminds you of Mexico probably.

2. Style

Since the food is your subject pay attention to its details. Is that cherry in the center of the cake photo your shooting? Are the baby tomatoes arranged neatly? Is there enough chocolate syrup in that crepe photo?

3. Lighting

Lighting is key in everything, even in food photography.  Try using the sun rays coming from the window as the source of your light. It might give the food you’re shooting depth and drama.

4. Right Angle

Don’t take shoots of food looking down although it works sometimes. The best angle would be to shoot the same level as the plate,

5. Focus focus focus

Don’t be shy in using a micro lens for some of your shots. Sometime playing with the aperture and focusing on just one aspect of the food makes it really interesting,

6.Mashed Potatoes

If you have an ice cream shot try using mashed potatoes and food coloring it will be easier to stylize and it doesn’t melt.