Smartphones and digital cameras have made it easier for anyone to become a food photographer. However, not everyone has the skill and the technical know-how to produce the best photos required in food product photography. If you want to show off your menu in a better light, it pays to know the most common photography mistakes that can result in unflattering and unappetising photos.
Using flash
Unless you are in a studio and using professional equipment, avoid using your device’s built-in flash because it will produce garish and flat photos. It’s best to use natural lighting, so take your food outside or shoot near or by a window.
Incorrect focus
The best way to highlight food is by using a shallow depth of field. However, this can result in focusing issues. It can create a dramatic and ethereal effect but ensure correctly focused points. If auto-focus (AF) fails, use the manual focus. When shooting from the top, avoid high apertures to prevent blurry outcomes.
Shooting from the wrong angles
Taking photos from the same angle you eat is one of the food product photography mistakes you could ever make. Doing so at 45 degrees can make the food look unappetising.
Angles are crucial in food photography, so bend down and take a photo from the side or use a top-down view. Try moving around and experimenting to find the best angle.
Shooting too close
Avoid getting too close to your subject, especially if it's a saucy or gravy-filled dish. Otherwise, you’ll end up highlighting its unflattering side. Pan out, set up a scene, and top the food with a bright garnish. Set it on a table and bring emotion into the image.
Doing it yourself
Just because you have a high-end smartphone with the most sophisticated camera doesn’t mean you should skip hiring a professional for food product photography. Hiring a pro is worth the investment as it avoids the guesswork involved when you try to shoot product images yourself.
Professional product photographers can produce eye-catching and appetising images based on your vision and preferred styles. They will work closely with you to create photographs that tell a story while communicating your brand value.
About the Author:
This article is written by Allan Rufus, Marketing Manager at Shapes Defined, a fully automated studio in Dubai, which specializes in offering high quality ecommerce product photography services. Their photo solutions and services include from HD photography to 360° rotations and 3D interactive animations to business from fashion and apparel, food, sports, electronics, and more.
