Food Photography Helper
Simple tips and tricks to make your food photos look delicious.
Core Principles of Great Food Photography
Use Natural Light
Natural light is your best friend. Position your dish near a window and turn off all artificial lights to avoid mixed lighting and unnatural color casts. A cloudy day provides perfect, soft, diffused light.
Avoid the On-Camera Flash
The direct, harsh light from your camera or phone's flash will create unappealing reflections and hard shadows. If you need more light, use a reflector (like a white piece of foam board) to bounce natural light back onto your subject.
Master Composition
Use the rule of thirds by placing your main subject off-center. Experiment with different angles—shoot from above (flat lay), from the side (straight on), or from a 45-degree angle to see what best showcases the dish.
Tell a Story with Props
Use props like cutlery, napkins, fresh ingredients, or a drink to create a scene and add context. Keep it simple and make sure the props complement the dish, rather than distracting from it.
Visual Example: Good vs. Bad Lighting
👍 Good (Side-lit by a window)
👎 Bad (On-camera flash)