Composition is crucial in every type of photography, but most especially in creative food photography. Sure, the lighting and color can be huge factors, but the composition is also essential. Its main goal is to direct the viewer to your focal subject. A well-composed food photo keeps the viewer interested by keeping their eyes moving around the frame.
When it comes to composition, the rule of the thirds usually applies. But there is not a “one-size-fits-all” guide when it comes to the composition for creative food photography. Nevertheless, knowing some techniques can help you achieve that perfect image.
Below are some food photography tips and ideas that will make you a better food photographer.
Understand the Image to Arrange the Elements
Understand how your eyes move through an image and use this as your guide when arranging the elements. Most people would read from left to right, which means that the viewer’s eye could travel through the image in the same way. When we look at an image of food, our eyes tend to gravitate towards the most important point of interest. And from there, our eyes move around the scene.
Some people would focus their attention on the most colorful element in the frame, so this is one of the things to keep in mind when composing your food photography. By understanding the image and how viewers perceive it, you’ll be able to better arrange the elements.
Make Sure To Have a Focal Subject
Whether you want your food photography to be minimalist or not, it’s best to use only one item as the main subject. Of course, you can always have multiple items as your subject, but in general, having a focal point can make your composition more coherent.
Use a focal subject and several other supporting elements when composing your creative food photography. Your main focal point must also dictate the placement of some other items within the frame to create depth in your composition. In addition, try to include props of different sizes to counter-balance the elements. This concept is also applicable when portioning the food.
Refer to Crop Guides to Visualize the Composition
Crop guides can help you fix your composition for food photography, so take advantage of these. You will find them in tools like Photoshop and Lightroom. Some mobile phones even have this. So, use this to visualize your composition.
Composition in photography requires lots of practice, and it could take years for a photographer to master the art of composition by visualizing lines. These crop guides can be your best tool to practice proper composition techniques since they will show you exactly where to place the main focal point during composition.
Use Angle and Orientation that Compliments the Food
When it comes to food photography composition, the orientation and camera angle are crucial. They will not just affect how you present the food, but they can also help shape how the viewer will perceive the image.
For food photography, the main camera angles are 45 degrees, 90 degrees, and straight on. The angle to use will mainly depend on the type of food and the props you will use. Therefore, choose the perspective that could support the appeal of the main subject. For instance, tall foods, such as sandwiches and burgers will work best with a straight-on angle. It will not only emphasize the height of the food but will also highlight its layers.
Apply the Golden Triangle Rule to Draw The Viewer’s Attention
One of the most powerful techniques that you can apply for food photography composition is using triangles. The shape can help keep the viewer’s attention within the frame since they make the eye move from one angle to another in a continuous loop. Try to divide the frame into four triangle shapes to help guide the viewer’s eye into the different details of the photo.
So how to use the golden triangle rule in your composition? Draw an imaginary line across the frame. Next, create new lines from the other two corners, so they meet the long line at the right angles. Your main focal point should be where these lines meet. Putting the main focal point at one of the intersection lines can help draw the eye towards the focal point.
Use the Rule-of-Thirds to Place the Main Elements
When it comes to photography composition, the most important strategy to follow is the rule of thirds. This is a grid dividing the frame into nine equal sections. The most significant element of the scene should fall along the lines of the grid or at the intersecting points. Applying the rule of the thirds can help you figure out the proper placement of the main elements in your food photography.
Take Advantage of the Phi-Grid to Create Interesting Compositions
The phi-grid is another way to visualize the golden ratio. It is somewhat similar to the rule of the thirds, however, the middle lines of the phi-grid are closer to each other. These rectangles can be superimposed over an image in a grid according to the 1:1.618 ratio. The phi-grid divides the scene into thirds, both vertically and horizontally.
Use Negative Space to Provide Some Balance
Positive space refers to the area in the image that the food and props take up. On the other hand, negative space refers to the area where your eyes will rest. The space offers balance and a bit of breathing room while emphasizing the main focal point. Since the space is blank, the viewer will focus on the details of the food.
When it comes to food photography, most photographers tend to shoot with several empty spaces to provide a spot for text. You will notice this in ad work, magazine photoshoots, and product packaging. That’s because if there’s too much going on in the image, the viewer will be confused about where to look.
When using negative space in your food photography compositions, use backgrounds or patterns that complement the subject. That way, the main focal point will stand out even more. Just reading through food photography tips and ideas will not make you a better food photographer, practice with it will. So Practice, Practice and even more practice!