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How to Photograph Food: 5 Tasty (and Useful) Tips

Reading time: 4 min.

4/07/2022

Photographing food before taking a bite has become such a natural habit that it is almost like part of the aperitivo ritual. What is more, whether you like it or not, food photos are also among the most popular types of content on Instagram. And if you are rolling your eyes, do not worry: after all, photographing what is on your plate is a great way to tell the story of how you enjoy life.

Are you about to go on a trip, attend a class dinner or organise a family party? Save our 5 tips on how to take great food photos: at Album di Figurine, we know how to bring out the best in photos and memories.

1. Framing is the main ingredient

Just as plating matters when it comes to a delicious recipe, it is hard to achieve satisfying results without paying attention to framing. Knowing — even in a general way — the basic rules of photographic composition is a good starting point, but creativity is your real ace in the hole.

Every situation calls for a different approach to make your food photos stand out. A close-up of the ingredients, a macro shot of a #foodporn sandwich cut in half, or an overhead shot of a worktop — the choice is yours.

2. Long live close-ups

As we have just said, close-ups work brilliantly when it comes to food photography. Can you think of a better way to highlight a delicious bite?

Try playing with depth of field and focus — you might be surprised by the results. Drawing attention to an element in the foreground, for example a forkful of spaghetti, and blurring the background creates a shot that feels elegant and far more Instagram-worthy. What is more, the bokeh effect is easy to achieve even if you are using an iPhone to photograph food.

3. Give the food context and you will tell its story

Today people call it storytelling, but placing a subject within its context is something professional photographers have always done. Add ingredients here and there to show how a dish comes to life, include hands to highlight the skill behind it, or use props to create a food set that is visually appealing.

If you are wondering how to photograph food and bring emotion into every shot, this is the way to do it.

4. Let the colours shine

Everyone loves bright, vibrant colours that instantly lift the mood. When it comes to food, though, their positive effect is felt not only in how appetising a dish looks, but also in how powerfully it draws the eye.

Go ahead with warm — and mouth-watering — tones, as well as strong contrasts, to create striking graphic effects and breathtaking patterns. Do not forget to play with shades and nuances too, and your food photos will have a whole different flav… well, look. But what can you do to rescue a shoot taken in less-than-ideal conditions? The answer is in the next paragraph.

5. Editing? The icing on the cake

Knowing how to photograph food is a great skill, but mastering post-production is the best way to turn good shots into truly polished images. Find the editing app that works best for you and boost the saturation of your photos a little: you will not regret it.

It is hard not to smile when your stomach is full, and who knows how many delicious memories are already stored in your photo library. Why not make them part of your own sticker story? Discover our personalised albums and turn your photos into stickers.

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