IAN WONG worked as a photographer for a food magazine after graduating from university. This article is some tips for photographing food and wine that he summarized in his practical work.

Many years ago, after I (referring to IAN WONG, the same below) walked out of college, I had my first job in a Beijing food magazine. However, since we don’t have a dedicated photographer to be responsible for interviews and shooting, I have to step in and occasionally guest photographer. Typically, I try to finish my shoot as early as possible so I can eat the food before it gets cold. Desperate times call for extreme measures, my boss needed photos, and I needed free food.

Here are some tips for photographing food & wine that I have summarized from my practical work:

1. The background tone should be complementary to the subject

Fujifilm FinePix S3Pro - ISO 200, Tokina 100mm F2.8 @ f/3.2, 1/90

The above photo is my debut food photography. I went to a bar and the bartender made four cocktails, so I used them as my subjects. The background of my photo is a cool color (and there is a white stripe out of focus). This choice of background can highlight the cocktail well and firmly attract the audience's attention.

2. Learn how to deal with simplicity

Nikon D90 - ISO 400, Carl Zeiss 35mm F2 @ f/3.5, 1/200

When the plate and food are When it’s not very fancy or complicated, we need to think about how to make the subjects stand out more so that they don’t blend into the background. When this happens, I prefer to arrange the food closer to the edge of the table. This way I can make the background more layered. In addition, I will also choose a simpler and monotonous background to highlight the color of the food.

3. Bring texture and lines to the picture

Nikon D600 - ISO 500, Carl Zeiss 35mm F2 @ f/2.8, 1/250

On wood Photographing food on the table is a very clever way. At this point, all elements in the photo look rustic and authentic. If the food you're photographing isn't as fancy as what's served in a big restaurant, but is simply handcrafted at home, pairing it with a background of old wood can add texture to the photo.

4. Take advantage of natural contrast

Fujifilm FinePix S3Pro - ISO 800, Nikon 35-70 F2.8D @ f/4.0, 1/160

< p>Strong shadows make the background of the photo more interesting, while the differences in color make the whiskey more eye-catching. I wanted there to be some sparkle in the highlights of the whiskey so people's eyes would be drawn to it.

5. Even the ultra-wide-angle zoom is useful

Fujifilm FinePix S3Pro - ISO 400, Tokina 12-24mm F4 @ f/9.5, 1/180

I still remember when I took this photo, in order to get a wider angle, I had to stand on the railing, swaying, and could only guess the approximate location of the view. But now, with the advent of LCD real-time view, things are no longer so complicated. Although the price of using an ultra-wide angle lens is that I have to correct the distortion in post, without such a lens, it is very difficult to show the entire desktop.

6. Pay attention to every detail in the photo

Nikon F3HP - Kodak Ektar 100, Carl Zeiss 35mm F2

I took this photo because I Wanted to show off my homemade cocktails. I added elements related to the cocktail, including the tea, into the background and made sure their overall tone was reddish. Note: In this case, I needed to increase the depth of field so people could see the materials I was using.

7. Select the focus position

Nikon D90 - ISO 400, Carl Zeiss 35mm F2 @ f/3.5, 1/200

When taking this picture , I used an aperture of f/3.5 so that I could get a little more depth of field. By photographing this dish from a bird's eye view, the food is clearly visible in the photo, while the garnishes are slightly blurred.

8. Consider the weather and seize the time

Nikon D600 - ISO400, Carl Zeiss 35mm F2 @ f/2.0, 1/180

My favorite shot The time is late afternoon and preferably cloudy. Similar to portrait photography, soft white light is best for photographing food. A less-than-clear window can act as a diffuser, spreading light evenly over food, so if you're sitting by a window, move your table closer.

9. Make good use of your utensils

Fujifilm FinePix S3Pro - ISO 200, Tokina 100mm F2.8 @ f/4.8, 1/90

Food utensils It can be hilarious, but it can also be boring. In this photo, I used a simple white plate and asked my colleague to hold it at an almost vertical angle so that the outdoor light could illuminate the plate like a photography light. It must be said that it was a miracle that the food didn't fall.

10. Always think about the color of your photos

Nikon D600 - ISO 100, Carl Zeiss 35mm F2 @ f/5.0, 1/200

Chateau d'Yquem One of the best wines in the world. Sometimes when the light conditions are not very good, I think it is a good idea to try to illuminate the wine bottle. On the one hand, it can make the color of the wine more beautiful, and on the other hand, it can make this delicious nectar from God even more beautiful. Show it off well.

Let them shine for a brief moment before I swallow them!