Set it up
Look beyond the food you’re going to shoot and choose a setting that enhances, but doesn’t distract, from your dish. Pick a simple, plain background or tablecloth, and use crockery that contrasts or harmonizes with the food. Keep away from plates that are the same colour as the food as it makes the photo messy and hard to focus on. The safest and cleanest option is to choose a white background and crockery.
Pay attention to what is around the plate and clear the scene of any clutter. If your camera allows you to play with the aperture, pick a wide aperture which will help blur out the background and focus the eye on the food in the final picture.
Lighting
To make your food look appetising it’s best to shoot in natural light. Set your camera up next to a large window, using a white sheet to diffuse the light if it’s too bright. Under no circumstance should you use a flash as it will destroy all the detail, create shiny areas on the food and leave you with an image that is nothing like the finished product.
It’s all about balance
Get to know the white balance function on your camera. This will let you pick the right temperature for your shots. As a general rule, food should always be shot in warm tones.
Hold it steady
In low-light situations you need to hold your camera still to avoid any blur. Use a tripod whenever you can as it beats trying to hold very still for a long time. Alternatively, try resting your camera on a glass or the back of a chair for a similar result.
Get up close
Use your camera’s macro setting to take photos of details rather than a full plate of food. Get in as close as you can, filling the entire frame with the food. This will bring out the textures and finer details, making the final photo look more interesting and intriguing.
Hop to it
Wilted lettuce, congealed meat or dull looking sauces do not make a nice photo! Once the food is ready, quickly get in and take the shot while it’s still at its best. Have your table, crockery and camera all set up so that you can take the picture and then get on with the fun part – eating it!
Watch the details
The difference between a good shot and a great shot is often in the details. Clean up the plate, make sure there are no stray crumbs and carefully plate up your food.
Slice it up
Once you’ve taken a few shots of a whole cake, pie or tart, try slicing it up to capture how delicious it looks inside. Nothing looks as appetising as a layer cake displaying its careful constructed tiers.
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