Are you a baker/blogger/recipe developer looking to improve your photography skills? You’ve come to the right place. This basic introduction to food photography is perfect for beginners. You’ll be taking pro food shots in no time!
Learning the tools and techniques of photography is the first step. It can seem daunting but it gets easier once you understand the basics. Here’s the essential equipment (for all budgets) you need to get started.
Food Photography: What equipment do you need and why?
1. DSLR Camera
While phone cameras have come a long way, it still cannot compare to a DSLR when it comes to quality and the control you have on the result. A DSLR camera allows you to shoot in RAW, choose the best aperture and shutter speed, as well as attach the ideal lens for the situation. Yes, you can get decent photos using high-end phones, but if you want to take it to a professional level, a professional camera is a must.
You don’t need the most expensive camera on the market to get good results. You can take professional photos using a beginner camera by using the right techniques. I can’t stress this enough:
A camera is only as good as the person holding it.
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Canon Rebel T6i ($)
I currently use the trusty Canon EOS 600D/Rebel T3i camera and I’m very happy with it. You can buy a beginner (crop-sensor) camera in the €500 range, which is a solid investment if photography is a source of income for you. And it’s completely reliable if you’re not planning on printing the photos large-scale. My particular camera body has since been discontinued, BUT there’s an improved version at the same price point: The Canon Rebel T6i*!
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Canon 6D Mark II ($$)
Canon 6D Mark II ($$)Of course, the better the camera, the higher the quality (again, provided you use it right). My next camera body goal is a full-frame DSLR, specifically the Canon 6D Mark II*. This one is more expensive, priced around €1,500. But the quality is superb, it’s worth every cent! It does wonderfully in situations where there’s a lack of light and produces top-notch prints.
Now, I’m partial to Canon, simple because that’s what I’ve always used and am used to. But there are other brands out there at the same standard, such as Nikon and Sigma. However, since I’ve never really tried them, I can’t give you my opinion.
2. Lenses
There are 2 types of lenses: Prime and Zoom. Prime lenses have a fixed focal length while zoom lenses have a wide range of focal lengths. Prime lenses tend to produce better quality pictures while zoom lenses are more versatile. Having experienced both, prime lenses are my go-to.
I mostly go for my 50mm lens. Budget friendly and great in low light, 50mm f/1.8 is one of the best focal lengths to work with and the wide aperture is perfect for food. A slightly more expensive option is the 50mm f/1.4 lens. It might only have an aperture difference of f/0.4, but soft focus makes a huge difference in food photography.
Another two great focal lengths (at a higher price-point) are the 85mm f/1.4 and the 100m f/2.8. These lenses allow you to really get close to your subject and capture the raw details. You’ll be able to shoot the kind of food photos that make you drool and are hash-tagged ‘food porn’.
(Keep in mind that if you have a crop-sensor camera, such as the Rebel T6i, the focal length will change and has to be calculated. You can do this easily by multiplying by 1.6; for example, 50mm x 1.6 = 80mm. This can be an advantage or a disadvantage depending on what your goal is. Just take that into consideration when choosing your lens.)
Best Canon EF lenses for food photography:
- 50mm f/1.8 prime lens* ($)
- 50mm f/1.4 prime lens* ($)
- 85mm f/1.4 prime lens* ($$$)
- 100mm f/2.8 prime lens* ($$)
This photo was taken using a 50mm f/1.8 lens on a crop-sensor camera (which makes it an 80mm lens). As you can see, the wide aperture gives a very soft effect which draws your eye straight toward the cookie.
3. Tripod (and remote control)
Tripods and remote controls are life-savers for capturing movement, taking photos of yourself (for example holding something), and in low light situations to avoid blurry photos. Remote controls are so handy to trigger your shutter from further away when using a tripod. Make sure your tripod is sturdy and has lots of swivel options, such as this 3-way swivel tripod*. If you shoot from directly overhead, you’ll need a tripod with a transverse centre column*. It’s more expensive, but a necessity for overhead shots. In other scenarios, I prefer to hold the camera and have the freedom to move around.
This shot showing pancakes being doused in syrup wouldn’t have been possible without a tripod and remote trigger.
4. Reflector (and diffuser)
I never shoot without a reflector. Since my light source is a big window coming from the left of my set up, I always use a reflector on the right side to soften the shadows. When the sun is particularly bright, I will also use a diffuser to soften the harsh highlights and shadows. Contrast is great and you always want one area of your photo to be brighter than the rest (your light source). However, you also want your entire image lit up in an appealing way.
Most reflectors come as a 5-in 1 kit*, where you will have a diffuser included and 4 surfaces; silver, gold, white and black. So, I suggest using two kits; one as a diffuser on the side of the light source and another as a reflector on the opposite side. They also come in two shapes; round* or oval*. It’s just a matter of preference. You can attach your reflectors to a stand* to make your life a little easier.
Without reflector and diffuser
Using a reflector and diffuser
As you can see here, using both a reflector and diffuser made a huge difference and the result is much more attractive and professional-looking.
5. Editing Software
RAW photos need to be processed in an editing software. Photoshop and Lightroom are the most popular tools for doing this. You can take it a step further and retouch your images to get them looking picture-perfect. As you can see in the below example, editing your photos will take them from an 7 to a 10! If you’re new to this, don’t worry, I will be posting Photoshop tutorials soon. They will be aimed at both beginner and advanced users, so subscribe to be notified by email!
Before
There’s nothing wrong with crumbs in food photography; actually I encourage it! But if you’re shooting something particularly messy, such as brownies, I do suggest cleaning up the image and leaving a few strategic crumbs.
The (Very) Short Introduction to Food Photography: Part 1
I know some tend to scroll through the headings and not read the fine print. (I am guilty of this too, oops!)
So, here’s a short recap: (although I recommend reading through the more detailed version, it’s still quite brief, I promise)
- A DSLR will always be better than a phone camera! A beginner DSLR camera will work just as well.
- All you really need is ONE good prime lens to start with. (A budget-friendly 50mm f/1.8 will do great)
- I prefer to keep the camera in hand for the most part, but a tripod can be a life-saver.
- No matter how good a photographer, editing is essential for that final refining touch.
If you’ve got this far and are ready to learn how to use your camera on manual mode, it’s time to move on to part 2 – (Coming soon!)
Happy shooting,
Kim x
*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. You can read more about it here.
Recipes featured:
- Caramel Latte Macarons
- Stained Glass Shortbread Biscuits
- Thick and Fluffy Pancakes
- Piña Colada Cocktail
- Perfectly Fudgy Brownies