Digital Photographer - UK (2020-05)

Learn how to pick suitable pieces that will

enhance the appearance of your subject

Add in props

3

Aside from camera gear, food photography

also requires you to acquire a whole host of

non-photo-related accessories; props and

backgrounds that will help you to stage

scenes. There’s no need to rush out and buy

props straight away, though – keep an eye

out for interesting wares you might find in

markets and charity shops, including cutlery,

crockery and tableware, such as napkins and

cloths. As you progress with your images,

you’ll find that you gradually build up a stock

of items and learn to understand what suits

different types of foods and scenes.

For example, while a whole cake might

look magnificent when styled simply, a lone

slice might need additional props such as

cake forks or a dusting of icing sugar to add

interest. If the food you’re shooting isn’t very

visually striking, interesting props can help to

sell the subject and engage viewers.

To create a narrative, use props that

accompany the food item – butter and knives

for a loaf of bread, perhaps. Another approach

is to surround the finished product with

the raw produce in whole or sliced portions.

This works well for recipes with colourful

ingredients. Older objects add character,

plants and bouquets of flowers inject a fresh

and vibrant energy, while items such as linen

cloths and wooden boards add a rustic feel.

Havingaselectionofbackdropsor

basesiskeytomakingyour portfolio

offoodshotslookvaried and fresh.

Asidefromshooting on your own

naturaltextures,such as a wooden

tabletoporchalkboard, you could

alsoinvestinspecialist backgrounds,

likethosefromPhoto Boards or

PhotographyBackdrop Club.

Usebackgrounds

Prepunderorbehind the food

Tellastory

Getcreativewitheach

dishyoumakebyadding

propsaroundthemain

subject.Thiscouldbea

cakeforkforadessert,or

cuttersandsprinklesof

flourforbakedgoods

©Esther

Ling

TECHNIQUES