Food has been one of the few things strangers can bond over. It not only brings down walls of awkwardness but also allows people to share stories of their past, connect new threads of friendship. Food photography, in that regard, is not too far. It not only showcases the beauty of the environment the food is made in, but also carries stories of people from far-reaching lands onto the plate, and to our hearts. However, while the genre is popular, food photographers often make these common errors, which reduce the impact of the picture. If you are someone who has recently started their journey in food photography, do avoid these mistakes.
Lack of or Excess Light
Light is one of the crucial elements to make photographs of food appealing. The right kind of light will set the mood, inviting your viewers to dig into the cuisine you are capturing. So, when you are out there to make images, use a single, bright source of light. If you are working outdoors, use unobstructed sunlight. If you are indoors, then one constant light can help you, too. However, avoid making your step-up too complex, unless your creative brief requires that. Also, ensure the color temperature is the same, or else the output will not be pleasing.
Give Direction
By this, we mean avoid making the subject appear flat when you photograph it. If you have seen paintings of food, you will notice how the use of shadow and highlights is used to make the subject stand out. One way would be to move the light around and see what works best. If you look at images by Suzanna Saroff, you will see how one soft source light with a dark background is enough to make her images stand out. Direction is everything in food photography.
Layer it Up
Many people make the mistake of having just one dish lying flat on the table when making images. However, you must remember that you can add layers to the scene to make your pictures stand out. For instance, Les Garçons uses flowers and leaves to make it appear like a summertime feast. In fact, use techniques such as leading lines, negative space, and framing to make the dish the hero of the photograph.
Odd Props
Adding props is a good idea, but you need to ensure they match the concept of your food photography. Using muted colors, or colors that bring out the food, is a good idea. If you look at the images by Louise Hagger, Emily Kidd, and Alexander Breeze, they used retro props to showcase Elvis Presley and Priscilla’s wedding celebration. The bright reds brought out the greens and beige in the images. It is festive but also showcases an era gone by.
These are some common challenges that can be easily avoided in your food photography journey. With time, you will continue to grow, and your photographs will showcase that. Until then, just practice!
