chAPTer 4: sTYling & ProPs 99
This technique also helps create your point of focus. By adding a bright, colorful food
item to the dish, you will draw the viewer’s eyes to that location. And it’s the perfect
spot to focus on with your camera (there’ll be more on focus and composition in
Chapter 5).
keePing iT reAl
One thing to keep in mind when you’re creating your dishes is that they don’t always
have to look perfect. A few crumbs or drips to the side of the food, or even a dish
where the food has already had a fork dig into it, makes the food look more real and
attainable to the viewer (Figure 4.15). It can also add balance to the composition of
the photograph. A little mess is OK; just pay attention to your crumb placement so
that it still looks appealing and delicious.
FIgure 4.15
I added a few crumbs
and berries to the side
of this yogurt parfait to
balance the dish and give
it a more natural look.Canon 5D Mark II
ISO 100
1/50 sec.
f/5.6
70–200mm
lens +1.4x