Food has been photographed and shared for more than a century. From the painterly still lifes of the 1800s (think luscious ripe peaches, melons, and bunches of grapes scattered on white tablecloths) to the cult following of avocado toast on Instagram, images of food continue to evoke longing, delight, and, yes, hunger. Displaying food in all its glory is as much an art as it is a science.
1. Know your audience
Are you shooting for an ad, editorial food magazine, website, cookbook, restaurant menu, or your personal food blog? Is the goal to sell a product, showcase a lifestyle or gain influence on social media? Understanding your customer is the starting point for your food photography. Creative and technical decisions will flow from here.
2. Prep for your shoot
The Best food photographer in UAE swears by the power of forethought: “I can’t say it enough, the more planning and preparation you put into your photography, the easier post-production will be.” Creating a mood board that pulls together all the important ideas related to filming, including the color scheme, use of props, and type of lighting, will bring some method to the madness. We have some of the best food photographer in Dubai.
3. Master composition
Most best food photographer in Sharjah and any-where in the world follows the rule of thirds, placing essential elements off-center for a more striking composition. Pop it when you need it: zoom in on a kiwi slice to show off its vibrant seed patterns, for example. Change your point of view depending on the topic. A 45-degree angle would do justice to the beauty of a stacked cake, while a shot from above would do wonders for a cheese-covered pizza stuffed with toppings.
4. Style like a pro
Is your footage minimalist or prop-based? Are you using chipped ceramic plates or fine porcelain? Are old distorted carrots in the background? The organization of food for the session through carefully selected accessories such as plates, bowls, pans, cutlery, napkins, wooden boards and the like plays a key role in transforming a meal into a work of art. Even if you’re collaborating with a professional food stylist, it’s worth honing your aesthetic sense.
5. Learn to fake it
Preparing the best food for a shoot requires as much skill as selecting the props and photography and the best food photographer in Abu Dhabi. Most people want to see photos of honest food. However, a dish that looks good enough to serve is not always photogenic enough to be photographed. Putting together the perfectly juicy burger or fresh romaine salad requires a few “wrong” tricks up its sleeve. If you want to be successful, you need to learn these skills.
6. Play with light
A single shot perfectly lit in all directions is often the best way to photograph food. Soft, diffused natural light is preferred by most photographers because it captures fine detail, brings out the natural texture of food, and adds finesse to the image. However, abundant natural light is not always possible. Studio lights can replicate the effect of natural light. Also, the use of dramatic artificial lighting can add atmosphere and artistry to a session. Learn to manipulate light. The more you play, the more “enlightened” you will be.
7. Tell a story
“Food is good. Food with a story is better. Food with a story you’ve never heard of is the best of all, and food with a story you’ve never heard of but can relate to is the Holy Grail ,” said American food expert Andrew Zimmern in a recent interview with Food. and Wine Magazine. He couldn’t have said it better. As the perception of food goes beyond just being delicious, viewers want to see more photos that show the big picture: where the dish came from, who cooked it, and how to weave a strong narrative with your images.