Ten Food Photography Secrets Professionals Won’t Tell You

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29 - November - 2022

Ever wonder how some food photos manage to look so appetizing—possibly even too good to be true?
It's difficult to photograph food, and it's even more challenging to capture food in a way that the spectator will salivate.
Because of this, the best food photography services recruit the aid of stylists who are equipped with a variety of tips and tactics.

Well, it may be challenging to produce the kind of stunning food images you've imagined if you're a photographer or blogger who is just learning about food photography.
You should be straightforward so that viewers can concentrate on the food, but it should also seem luxurious and alluring enough to entice viewers to grab that food.

Food Photography Secrets the Pros Won’t Tell You 

As mentioned earlier, food photography is more difficult than it first appears. With more experience, your photographs will get better.  

1- The Secret to Avoid Hazy and Blurry Pictures

clear ice cream in bowl

Camera shake is the reason for blurry images. Here’s what the experts at our food photography services advise you to do: 

  • Hold your camera steadier (easier said than done)
  • Use a tripod with a remote to ensure that your camera is completely still while you shoot
  • Use a faster shutter speed, which will necessitate opening up your aperture and/or moving to an area with more light
  • Increase your ISO to reduce the amount of light required (this will reduce image quality).


2- The Secret to That Perfect Lightning!

Natural light is always best if you can use it, but avoid any kind of front-lighting. Try experimenting with different types of bulbs, angles and exposure levels. 
Very often, the difference between a professional-looking food photograph and an amateur one is the use of diffusers and reflectors. 
These can be bought at all budget ranges and are also very easy to DIY, so definitely don’t skip out on this photography tip.

3- Colors That Are True to Life 

colorful food photos 

When editing your images, use the white balance tools in your software to fix any plates of food that appear overly blue, yellow, pink, or green.
Colors come to life when the white balance is tuned correctly. By shooting in RAW, color balancing adjustments can be done more quickly in the future.

4- Spice It Up with Props and Styling

Like a little makeup, props and style can do wonders for a photo shoot. Though the art of food photography Dubai may appear simple, styling is hard.
The ideal approach is to make everything straightforward and orderly, especially the props. 
Even if the tableware is visually appealing, you shouldn't use it in photographs because the food should be the focal point of the shot.
Make your backgrounds and accessories out of muted colors to make the food the focal point.

5- Adding Water to Darker Drinks 

Have you ever wondered why Coke and Pepsi appear so much better on TVs and billboards? The reason for this is that food photographers employ basic techniques like reflector cards and backlighting. 
However, they always add water to the beverage first to let more light into the mixture. Although it may seem too light to the unaided eye after adding up to 50% water, it will be perfect for photography.

6- Making The Photos Look More Scrumptious 

cake piece

Once the meal has been set out on the table for you to photograph, don't stop shooting shots. Dish out some pieces as you dig in.
When a cake is cut into pieces, the audience can see the colors and texture of the cake within, which gives them a better idea of how it will taste and makes the cake appear more appealing.
You can also incorporate human traits and movements in your photographs to give bland shots some life. Similar to this, eye-catching backgrounds for food photos are just as crucial as the dish itself.
The motion of pouring the sauce into the dessert is more exciting to see than just a still picture of the dessert and sauce.

7- The Perfect Framing

Not every food photograph employs the same framing. How you frame the food in the photo should be determined by its visual appeal. There is no right or incorrect way to frame a food image; however, there are a few considerations to make:

  • Try taking pictures from various perspectives.
  • You should consider what aspect of the cuisine you want to highlight when choosing the angles for your shots. For instance, to highlight the texture and juiciness of the beef in a sandwich, it may be ideal to cut it in half and take the photo from the side.

With Overlight, it is easier to locate the best professional photographer in Dubai that can help you with perfect picture framing.  

8- Shooting Only After the Meal Is Ready

It is just too late to take pictures after the meal has been cooked because you will miss many opportunities to take excellent cooking photography pictures.
Start far sooner than after the food has been cooked, when the ingredients are being prepared!
Sometimes, food that has been cooked doesn't look particularly good (think of boring soup, pasta with white sauce, or brown dishes like chili, beans, or stuffing).
Try taking pictures of the cooking process if it still comes out flat and boring after a little garnish. Sometimes the finished dish looks less appetizing than the raw or undercooked components.

9- Using A Tripod Stand

food photos with tripod

Look, even the steadiest photographer would struggle to hold the camera steady for the length of time required for food photography. 
Spend the money on a tripod to avoid hand cramps and get clearer pictures while still having both hands free to fiddle with subjects, accessories, and lighting without ruining the framing you spent 20 minutes perfecting.

10- Editing Your Culinary Images Like an Expert

After taking your food photos, you should use a photo editing program to make a few little adjustments. A premium product (like Adobe Lightroom) might be used if you have the money, but there are a ton of free photo-editing software solutions available.
Always exercise caution when editing. Your food photographs may appear strange and unappealing if you over-edit them. However, minor adjustments to the color harmony and shading will make your photos appear more polished and expert.

The Best Food Pictures Are Just A Click Away

Well, most seasoned photography bloggers and food stylists don't really notice any "nasty" tricks.
Instead, they spend a lot of time searching for the ingredients that appear perfect. In order to make the cuisine look its best, they also have a staff of stylists.

Overlight, a leading company providing food photography services, utilizes fundamental elements for creating immaculate photos.
Nevertheless, we are supported by a top-notch team. We even have a hairdresser who specializes in swirls produced with whipped cream and comparable things!