Food bloggers spend a lot of time behind the lens. Whether it’s snapping pictures of their favorite recipes or shooting their own stunning images, food photography is an essential part of any food blog. The best food bloggers know how to take great photos, and they show their readers by sharing step-by-step tutorials and other detailed photography tips.
It doesn’t matter if you are just getting started or want to improve your food photography skills — here is a list of the top food photography tips by Depositphotos.com for food bloggers. Read on to learn more about photography, lighting, props, and other essential topics.
Photography is Everything
Your food photography is the foundation of your blog. It’s what will attract and keep readers on your blog. Here are a few tips to take better photos:
Shoot in natural light
Take lots of photos
Study other food bloggers
Take time to learn about photography
Lighting is Key
Lighting is arguably the most important thing for a food blogger to master. Proper lighting makes it easier for your food photography to look natural and beautiful. It also helps you understand how your photos are going to turn out in real life.
Props are Important
Props are one of the most important tools in food photography. They can take a boring dish and turn it into an eye-catching masterpiece. For example, you can use an apple as a prop to create a beautiful shot of your baked apple pie.
In addition to props, lighting is also essential for food photography. Lighting plays a key role in determining the mood and feeling of any dish. Food bloggers should be aware of the types of light available to them and how they can use that lighting to their advantage.
Make it Simple
Food photography is easy when you keep it simple. It’s best to keep the focus on the food rather than all of the background details. Don’t create an elaborate setup for your photoshoot.
Turn off room lights and use natural light to produce beautiful images that don’t require a lot of light.
Keep it clean — if your food looks messy or unappetizing, no one will want to eat it!
Try not to spend too much time trying to get the perfect shot — most photos are only good enough for sharing online and won’t make it into a magazine cover.
Use a Tripod
A tripod is a must-have for food photography. This simple equipment allows you to create a steady shot that will help your photos appear clearer and more visually appealing. It also allows you to take photos without having to hold your camera in one place, which means you can capture a wider range of angles and stills.
If you’re just starting out, using your iPhone as a timer might be your best bet. For example, if you want to get the perfect shot of freshly baked bread being served with cheese, set your phone up on the counter near the bread in its natural state — not sliced or dressed — and make sure it gets enough light by adjusting the angle of the phone’s light source. You will have time to adjust before it takes pictures and adds effects after.
Another easy way to take crystal-clear photos is by using a circular polarizer filter on your camera lens. This filter helps reflections from non-metallic surfaces such as water and glass disappear, making for crisper images with less glare.
Don’t be Afraid to Experiment
The first tip is to experiment. Food bloggers should be willing to try new photography techniques and don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Without trying anything new, you can only imagine what your blog would look like!
What are some of your favorite food photography tips? Share them in the comments below!
Bottom Line
Don’t know where to start? Here are some general tips for food bloggers.
-Think about the colors you want your photos to be. If you’re shooting a recipe, you’ll want the colors to be bright and vibrant. For food photography, more muted colors are often needed.
-Consider the light source in your image. Having light coming from the top left will give certain foods a more dramatic effect than if it came from the bottom right.
-Create a mood with props and other details in your images. This is a great way to make a photo more interesting or add an extra layer of flavor to an otherwise ordinary dish or recipe.
-Take plenty of photos at different angles and locations so that you can edit down what you like best into your final post or preview image on Instagram or Pinterest.
