Photographing food can be called a separate art form. After all, it should not just be beautiful and according to the rules, but also delicious. The picture should be inviting, inviting, like the labels on a magic pie that Alice found while traveling through Wonderland. «Eat me!» — offers a picture, even if it is a simple cabbage. Here are 10 tips to help make homemade porridge a masterpiece.
Choose settings that emphasize, but do not distract from the food. Take a simple background or tablecloth.
Use contrast or vice versa, look harmoniously with the chosen food, but not the same color with it.
Before photographing, make sure that there is no clutter in the background, which will also distract from the main object. Use a wider aperture to blur the background.
Use natural lighting whenever possible. The most ideal place for a photo is next to a large window and white curtains that will scatter light.
If you do not have the opportunity to use natural lighting, do not rush to use a flash. The camera flash is too sharp for the delicate texture of the food. It removes the depth of the image and adds highlighted unappetizing spots.
Study the color balance. Especially if you don't have the opportunity to take photos in daylight. An incorrectly chosen color balance can make the pictures either yellow or blue. Agree that bacon with blue does not look very appetizing.
Use the white balance settings in your camera or adjust them later in the photo editor.
Try not to move when taking a photo. This is especially true in situations where the illumination leaves much to be desired. With a long exposure, the slightest movement makes itself felt in blurred spots. If possible, use a tripod. If it is not available, then put the camera at least on a glass of water, even on a chair.
The figure is not a film and the limited number of frames you have tends to infinity. Therefore, make as many frames as possible so that you can then choose the best one. Take photos of the object from all sides, from above, from below, from any angle.
Get as close as you can. If possible, use macro photography. Fill the frame with food so that the viewer can almost taste it.
Don't forget to take photos of the cooking process. Sometimes photos of the cooking process itself can be much more interesting than the result. Do we remember that the number of frames we have is practically unlimited?
Work fast. The faster you take a photo, the fresher the food in the picture will look. Cold, frozen food and wilted salad are unlikely to look appetizing.
Always keep a beautiful plate for a photo at hand, on which you can quickly transfer the finished food and take a picture with the heat.
The devil lurks in the details. Check all the corners of your plates and glasses, wipe all the stains and specks of dust. Use the sauce and garnish to add color and texture to a monotonous meal (for example, add a slice of lemon to iced tea).
You know, sometimes there is such a food that, no matter what angle it is photographed, no matter what sauce it is poured, it will still look unappetizing.
Plain food and brown sauces should be left alone.
And enjoy your photography!