Food Photography: How to Take Good Food Photos with My Phone
It can't be denied that nowadays, taking photos for social media has become a hobby for many people, especially taking pictures of food. However, sometimes photos taken with smartphones may not turn out as beautiful as expected. In the past, if we wanted a stunning photo, we had to use a professional camera. But not anymore, just with a smartphone, we can take photos of food, landscapes, or people effortlessly. Today, PunThai will share Tips how to take good food photos with your phone. Read now!
1. Learn to Use the Rule of Thirds
Some people take photos with their smartphones without turning on the gridlines. But did you know that gridlines help create a well-balanced composition?
For beginners who are practicing photography, you may not be familiar with the "Rule of Thirds," which is an important technique in composing images. Using this technique will make your photos look more balanced and interesting. It divides the image into 3 parts both vertically and horizontally, totaling 9 parts altogether. It utilizes 4 intersecting points, which are the main focus of the image, making the subject stand out more.
Almost every smartphone model has the "Gridlines" and "Rule of Thirds" functions in the camera settings. Some models may call it "Grid" or "Table," and others may have different options like the golden ratio. Utilizing this function will help you adjust your photos to look more interesting and balanced, even for beginners.
2. Take Photos from a Top-Down Angle
An easy technique to make food photos stand out is to take photos from a top-down angle, focusing on showing both the food plate and its various components. It's about capturing each dish in the frame to the fullest, which makes the food look more appetizing. Make sure not to zoom in too close on the food plate; leave some empty space between the plate and the table to highlight the arrangement of the dishes. This technique not only makes food photos more appealing but also makes them easier to arrange.
3. Avoid Using Flash
Sometimes, when dining out, the restaurant's interior may be dimmer than expected. Using flash is not the best solution because it not only disturbs others but also makes the photo look harsh and unnatural. The colors of the food may appear washed out, and it may not look appetizing. If you encounter low-light conditions, adjusting the ISO or exposure may be a better option to compensate for the lack of light. This will help brighten up the image appropriately without using flash, resulting in more beautiful and natural-looking food photos, without disturbing others.
4. Use Night Mode for Low-Light Photography
Nowadays, many smartphone models have a Night Mode function specifically designed for low-light photography. This mode should be activated when taking photos in low-light conditions, as it increases brightness without using flash and captures details more clearly.
Night Mode technology works by collecting data from multiple photos and processing them together, reducing noise and enhancing image details, even in low-light conditions. Therefore, even if you're shooting in low light, you'll still get sharp, bright, and detailed photos. So, when taking photos of food in dimly lit environments, Night Mode is a good option to ensure your food photos look appealing.
5. Emphasize Natural Lighting
For food photography, natural lighting is the most important factor because it makes the food colors look fresh and vibrant, making them more appetizing. Therefore, it's not recommended to use additional artificial lighting because it may distort the true colors of the food. The best option is to sit near a window to let natural light shine on the food. This will give you beautiful, fresh-looking, and appetizing food photos. Therefore, using natural light is the best option for food photography.
6. Find the Right Time to Shoot
The ideal time for photography is in the morning before 10 a.m. or in the afternoon from 3 p.m. onwards because the sunlight during these times creates dimension and weight in the image, making it look less flat.
During these times, the light also helps create an interesting atmosphere, making even your home look like a trendy cafe. Therefore, capturing the right lighting moments will help improve the quality of your photos and create a good atmosphere. Therefore, morning and afternoon are the best options.
7. Avoid Zooming In
The zoom function on smartphones may seem necessary, but in reality, it's not that important for photography, especially digital zoom, which decreases image quality, resulting in blurry and less sharp photos. Additionally, it increases the risk of camera shake while taking photos of food. If you want to take close-up photos, it's best to move the camera closer to the subject rather than using the zoom function. This will help maintain image quality and reduce the problem of camera shake effectively.
8. Don't Forget to Adjust the Resolution
Many times, the camera resolution settings on smartphones are not set to the highest value supported by the device. Therefore, before taking photos, you should check and adjust the resolution to the maximum level. This action will help you get sharp and detailed images, making them higher in quality. By capturing small details of the subject effectively, whether it's food, landscapes, or close-up photos, setting the resolution to the highest level is crucial before every photoshoot.
9. Use Portrait Mode
If you want the food to be the main focus of the photograph, you should use Portrait Mode. This function will help make the food stand out more by reducing the details of the background and the surrounding atmosphere, making the food in your picture the most important focal point.
Portrait Mode works by using the technique of shallow depth of field, which makes the subject in focus sharp and clear while blurring the background, making it less defined. This effectively draws the viewer's attention to the main point of interest. It's suitable for photographing food that you want to look appetizing and prominent.
10. Editing Food Photos to Make Them Appealing
Using filters to edit photos is a matter of personal taste and preference. Some people may prefer their photos to look natural, while others may enjoy using filters to create a distinctive atmosphere or style. However, editing photos by adjusting lighting, color, and sharpness has the advantage of enhancing the overall quality of the image.
Today, there are many free photo editing apps available with a variety of editing functions, including adjusting lighting, color, sharpness, and applying various filters. With these apps, you can easily enhance your photos without spending any money.
Using free photo editing apps is an interesting option when it comes to mobile food photography. It not only saves costs but also allows you the freedom to create according to your own preferences.
11. Matching Background with Plate and Food Colors
The background is the most important component of a photo. Therefore, choosing a background color that matches the plate and food color will make the food stand out and look more appetizing. The table should not have too many patterns, as they can distract from the food.
The background color should contrast with the food color to make the food stand out. For example, if the food is dark, choose a light background, or vice versa. If the food has multiple colors, choose a natural background color such as cream, brown, or light gray. Backgrounds like wood, bricks, or old paper are also interesting options. However, be careful not to let the background overshadow the food. For dark-colored food, a white or light pastel background is recommended to avoid making the image too heavy.
In summary, choosing a good background helps enhance the colors and details of the food, making it stand out and stimulating the viewer's appetite effectively.
12. Photographing People with Food
Photographing food together with models helps customers visualize and understand the overall picture of the service better. Especially with Staycation packages that include accommodations, dining, and swimming pools, having models engaging in various activities in beautiful angles and lighting helps create an atmosphere and stimulate customers' desire to use the service in reality.
Furthermore, having models in the photos is a key selling point for promoting through social media because images with characters attract more attention than just food photos alone, making it easier for people to be interested and access promotions.
Therefore, combining both food and models in photos is a good strategy to create imagination and interest in your package or service, both in terms of image and marketing.
How about teaching food photography with mobile phones and food photography techniques with mobile phones to make them look appetizing from Thai heritage? Although making food photos look beautiful and appetizing may seem meticulous, if you pay attention to every detail in the photography process, just like we pay attention to brewing coffee and drinks in every menu of Thai heritage, I guarantee that your food photos taken with a mobile phone will look as good as if they were taken with a professional camera. Read more interesting lifestyle articles on PunThai blog and promotions for PunThai coffee on PunThai Facebook page.
Reference:
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