When photographing food, you should try to choose the telephoto end, which can reduce distortion and blur out more cluttered backgrounds. So what other techniques are there for photographing food? Let’s take a look with me!
1. Photograph from directly above the dining table
I think this shooting method is quite difficult. Because there are many factors to consider. Basically, you need to use the table as a canvas, and then use food, tableware, light and shadow, etc. to compose a pleasing scene. Therefore, the photographer must have a certain sense of beauty and know how to use the decorations at hand. Elements can lead to successful shooting. This kind of photo is usually not meant to give the viewer the thought: "It looks delicious!", but to give the viewer the thought: "It's so beautiful! I really want to go to this store and order these things!".
But not all foods are suitable for this shooting method. If there are two plates of meat dumplings on the table, if you take a picture from right above, they will look like two small lumps with no characteristics, meaning or beauty. However, flat and large foods are quite suitable, such as a pizza covered with toppings, or a bowl of yogurt platter with various fruit assortments, which look very colorful when viewed from directly above.
In addition, this method is also very suitable for presenting Before and After effects. Sometimes I feel that the scene of messy cups and plates after a meal has a different kind of beauty, and at this time I will also use the vertical shooting method to take pictures.
2. A 45-degree angle from top to bottom
Close the distance and photograph the food from a 45-degree angle from top to bottom, which usually best displays the natural texture and deliciousness of the food. (ex. The shiny caramel-colored cortex of braised pig scalp, the dark sauce that shines under the light, the golden and crispy surface of fried shrimp?)
Most mainstream food newspapers and magazines have I often use this angle, so that the food occupies the middle of the frame, and the mistakes will not be too big (but for me, some things are not suitable for this kind of shooting, such as a bowl of brown soup, which will not be visible for a while) What is it, it will be misunderstood as a bowl of variegated kitchen waste (so food with clear cooking methods and materials is more suitable for this angle), but compared with other composition methods, the 45-degree angle will feel a bit boring if you look at it too much, so it is safe. The safest card among cards.
3. Horizontal shooting
Use horizontal sight to shoot, suitable for stacked and layered food, such as layered waffles, tiramisu, or gradually Well-layered mixology. It is important to note that if the background is too messy (a whole restaurant with guests as the background, or a pile of clutter on the table), the photo will look unfocused.
4. Side shot of the dining table
Taking a side shot from the side of the dining table seems to turn the food into a supporting role. However, the environment and atmosphere around the dining table actually highlight the preciousness and beauty of the food. Unique and delicious. This kind of photography is often seen in Kinfolk magazine or the blog of food writer Ye Yilan.
This kind of photography attaches great importance to the current environment. Imagine a small table in a seaside restaurant with several plates of food on it. The background is the light blue sea. The food looks like it unconsciously. It seems fresher and full of rich "atmosphere".
Some restaurant lights will be hung directly above the dining table. At this time, no matter what angle you use to shoot, there will be a black shadow of your hand and mobile phone projected into the picture. In order to avoid this situation, I will Turn to the table side shot technique.