Tamron Blogs

More Photo Tips | Video Gallery | Photo Gallery | Enewsletter sign-up

How to: Photograph Food

Tips & Images by © Janet Vuong

The moment you look at a dish and think, "Wow, I want to eat that," is the moment you've created an effective food photo. So, what does it take to achieve those mouth-watering results?


© Janet Vuong

Food photography is all about the color, texture, and composition of the food you're shooting. While it can be challenging to make a plate of food look like something that's going to be absolutely delicious, here are a few tips to help you get your shots looking as tasty as they possibly can!

Tip #1) Find the right light
Natural light is always going to be your best friend when it comes to photography, but especially when it comes time to shoot food! You want your food shots to look vibrant and appetizing, and natural light will help make that happen. But if you don’t have enough natural light where you’re shooting, you can use artificial lights as well. Just make sure not to have any shadows on your food! If your shot has a lot of different colors in it—think rainbow cake or something with fresh vegetables—you'll want to go for something more even-keeled in terms of lighting. The colors should speak for themselves!


© Janet Vuong
Image Data : f/2.8, ISO 3200, 25 sec.

Tip #2) Get creative with angles and perspectives
One of the best ways to illustrate just how delicious your subject is with your photography is by playing around with angles and perspectives. Try different heights and vantage points until you find one that really makes your plate look mouth-watering. Do an overhead shot, a close-up shot from above (to show off texture), or even a close-up shot from below (to show off color).


© Janet Vuong


© Janet Vuong

Tip #3) Consider using complementary foods/props
When it comes to photographing food, sometimes what's next to it matters more than what you're trying to capture itself. It's all about balance, so choose foods that complement each other in color and texture. For example: don't place a piece of sushi on a bright red plate; instead, try laying out some white rice. Adding props can be a great way to add interest and depth to your photos. If you're shooting a dish with many components, try using different props for each component—you can use them as accents or even as backgrounds. Also, don't be afraid to get creative! Try using household items like spoons, wooden citrus reamer, or even a jigger!


© Janet Vuong


© Janet Vuong



More Photo Tips | Watch Videos | Learn More About Tamron Lenses | Photo Gallery