Food photography and restaurant reactions are an on-going news topic, but most recently there has been extra attention from the New York Times, followed by responses from blogs like Bon Appetit, Eatocracy, and Epicurious. We’ve talked to restaurateurs and chefs worldwide and have found that the range of opinions are mostly rooted around technology at the table and maintaining excellent dining experiences. There are ways to work with both of these while simultaneously enjoying your own dining experience and taking the best possible photographs to capture it. Take a look…
Tip 1: Composition is key
Have you noticed the best photos are those with a full frame? Fill your frame and try shooting at a 45 degree angle or straight down on the dish or drink. You’ll be amazed by the difference these small changes make.
Tip 2: Light is important
Often you don’t have much control over restaurant lighting but if possible, shoot in natural light from a nearby window. Avoid shooting directly into the light, too.
Tip 3: Resist the urge to use flash, keep it steady, and be respectful
When using a flash for food photography, impressive results are rare. The iPhone 5′s low light mode is tremendously helpful for avoiding flash use. For those with an older model, the Forkly camera filters will help you brighten darker images. Plus, when you keep the camera steady, it allows more light in (hence less of a need for the flash); rest your hand on the table if needed.
We strongly encourage Forkly friends to take shots that don’t disrupt fellow diners or draw negative attention from the chef and restaurant. The meal is yours to savor, of course, but the tips here should help you take great food photographs with little attention from others.
Tip 4: Resist vintage or artsy filters
Our filters were designed specifically for food photography. If you use filters from other apps that put an artistic spin on the image as a whole, it typically takes away from the food itself–which is what Forkly is all about!
Tip 5: Inspiration from Forkly friends
There’s an abundance of great food photographers on Forkly! We share as many excellent food shots as possible through our Featured Users within the app and profiling dishes & drinks on our blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest pages. Here are some fellow friends to inspire you!
And if you discover some new food photography stars on Forkly that we’ve yet to spotlight, or if you keep working on your own shots, let us know! Always happy to hear from you all.
