When you’re watching TV at night and that MacDonald’s or Wendy’s commercial comes on and you see those juicy burgers, you may not even be feeling hungry but you know that you want to get off the couch and run out and buy one. Why? Because of the presentation. If you were looking at a dried up old burger and a stale looking bun, would you want to eat it? No. But because it looks fresh and juicy and you can still hear the sizzle, you can practically taste its yumminess. It is all about food photography, and food photography is all about food, food everywhere, but not a thing to eat.
Food Photography Tip: Be Quick
Photographing food can be challenging but the challenge is definitely worth it. Fresh food does not keep its appealing looks for long. Crispy lettuce wilts or turns brown, a bitten apple changes color quickly, ice cream can melt, a soufflé can collapse, if you have cooked food or eaten food (which we all have) then you know the drill. Photographing food is about being prepared and being able to take great shots quickly. In many cases, how the food photographer solves this problem is by setting up the photo using props, determining the angle, lighting, and set up before the fresh food is ready to photograph. When the food is ready you switch out the fake for the real and start shooting.
Not Just Point And Click
To capture the essence, the taste, the texture, the freshness and the appeal of food, it is not just about pointing and clicking.
Stage it: The way the food is arranged on a plate or table is as important as the food itself. Leading lines and the rule of thirds will help guide the viewer’s eye. A balance of shape, color, size, and texture is also important.
Keep it fresh: There are ways to keep the food looking fresh such as spritzing it with water, or brushing it with vegetable oil.
Up close and personal: Getting up close and personal captures the texture and freshness of food. So it is best to shoot close to plate level.
ABOUT YOUR DALLAS, TX, PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER:
Doug Davis has been producing professional, engaging videos and product, food, and lifestyle photography from his Dallas, TX, studio for more than 20 years. D-Squared Studios is located at 4312 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas, 75226. Contact our office at (214) 746-6336 or email Doug at doug.davis@d2studios.net.