Capture Your Culinary Creations

Ever wonder why some food photos get thousands of likes while others fall flat? Great food photography isn't about expensive equipment—it's about understanding a few key principles that anyone can apply.

Lighting Is Everything

Natural light is your best friend. Position your dish near a window with indirect sunlight for soft, even illumination. Avoid overhead kitchen lights and flash—they create harsh shadows and unappetizing colors.

Best times for food photos:

• Morning or late afternoon for warm, golden tones
• Overcast days for diffused, shadowless light
• Near large windows, but not in direct sun

Angles That Work

Three angles dominate food photography:

Overhead (90°): Perfect for flat items like pizza, grain bowls, and tablescapes. Shows patterns and arrangements clearly.

45-degree angle: The most versatile. Works for almost any dish and shows both the top and side of food.

Straight-on: Great for layered foods like burgers, cakes, and stacked pancakes. Emphasizes height.

Styling Secrets

• Odd numbers: Three cookies look better than four
• Negative space: Don't fill the entire frame
• Garnish fresh: Add herbs right before shooting
• Show imperfection: A drip of sauce or scattered crumbs adds authenticity
• Props matter: Use complementary dishes, linens, and ingredients

Phone Photography Tips

• Clean your lens before every shot
• Tap to focus on your subject
• Avoid digital zoom—move closer instead
• Use portrait mode for depth of field
• Take many shots from slightly different angles

Editing Like a Pro

A little editing goes a long way:

• Increase brightness slightly
• Boost saturation for vivid colors
• Add warmth to make food more appetizing
• Sharpen to enhance details
• Crop to improve composition

Apps like VSCO, Lightroom Mobile, and Snapseed offer powerful free editing tools.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using flash
• Cluttered backgrounds
• Unflattering angles on wrong dishes
• Over-editing to unrealistic colors
• Waiting too long—some foods lose their appeal quickly

Practice makes perfect. Start photographing your meals, even just for yourself, and you'll quickly develop an eye for what works.