I've mentioned earlier that I used to run a food blog, but in addition to that I just plain love to cook, there's something incredibly relaxing and creatively gratifying about making something with my hands, and by contrast, there's nothing more frustrating than photos not doing your hard work justice! To save you the awkward "I swear, it tastes better than it looks" conversations. I've put together an updated list of my tricks to making sure my food photos come out just right. - Enjoy!
1. NATURAL SUNLIGHT WHENEVER POSSIBLE
I'm not sure what the science behind it is, (if you do know or have a theory please let me know in the comments!) BUT food #photography always looks better lit by natural sunlight. Which is why, if possible I'll always try to grab a window seat or better yet patio seating at a restaurant. If you're home- take that plate outside or near a large window and turn off any fluorescents that could be filtering in.
2. CONTRAST IS YOUR FRIEND
Not contrast the slider on your phone's photo editor. Real contrast. If your food isn't very varied in color, play with the contrast with your plate and the background. If you're lucky enough to be shooting something sure vibrant like watermelon, crank the contrast in the shot up even more by adding a bright color opposite the color wheel! Get it? Good. Contrast, IN the photo. remember that.-
There's a quiz at the end.
3. MOMENTUM (aka movement)
The thing about noodles in a bowl is that they aren't really that exciting now, are they? A big part of the experience of eating a bowl of ramen comes with the sipping and slurping and toggling all of the lovely elements that make every bite different! Try to think a few seconds into the future when you're about to dig in and document THAT! Think of that shamelessly pornographic shot of EVERY gooey grilled cheese ever.
3. PERSPECTIVE
Sure, go ahead and get in there! Especially if there are a lot of alternating textures and colors that you want to highlight, just use NYC subway rules and don't get too close or things get real awkward REAL fast.
5. GOOD GOD. ENOUGH WITH THE FILTERS
Please, I beg you. If you follow these rules, you won’t need filters. No one wants to see your cheeseburger deluxe in sepia. Take your old-timey burger home.
Don't want to take your own photos? Use ours! 100% royalty free and CC0 stock photos at nomad.pictures! A site I run with @teamhumble to get pictures out of the camera roll and onto the web 👍🏻
