Three Key Considerations When Choosing Plates For Food Photos
Posted on: 20 January 2016
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Whether you're a food blogger looking to refine your pictures or you're breaking into food stock photography, understanding how to pick the perfect plates and accessories can be harder than you might think. Here's a look at some of the things you should know to help you capture tempting food images for your needs.
Size Matters - But Not How You Think
We've all heard the sayings about how bigger is better. When it comes to food photography, though, that's far from the truth. If you want the focus to be on the food and you want your food to look abundant, put it on a smaller plate. After all, you won't know from the picture that your pasta entree is really on a salad plate. It's all about the perspective. Use a smaller fork to match the smaller plate, and you can capture a tighter shot with less empty space on the plate.
Angles Are Important to Dish Selection
Before you choose the plate you're going to use, consider the angle you'll be shooting at. After all, the last thing you want to do is put a burger on a plate with a high lip if you're going to shoot that burger from a low angle. If you do, you'll lose a lot of the sandwich in the shot because of the lip. Think about the angle you want to shoot from and make sure that your plate won't obstruct that. Flat plates are best shot at low angles, while bowls and high-rimmed plates should be reserved for foods you'll shoot overhead or higher.
Color Should Complement - Not Overwhelm
Colorful plates are great for adding life to an image, but if the colors clash with your food, it's just going to make for a hot mess. If you're going to use colored plates, make sure you choose a color that allows the food to pop. Just because you love that shade of yellow doesn't mean it's going to be a good fit to plate the sandwich that you're shooting. Be practical and use color sparingly for contrast so that it doesn't drown out your food.
These are three important considerations when you're choosing plates and other dishware for your food photography. Remember that your food photos should be about the food, so that's what should shine. The plates and other additions should enhance the photo, not overpower it. For professional quality photos, consider hiring a professional for food photography services.