Top Trends In Food Photography That Every Restaurant Should Follow

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In the digital world of social media, an online menu is crucial to giving customers a reason to visit your restaurant. In today's image-driven world, only mouthwatering food photography can attract people to your tables.

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Whether you run a restaurant or are a chef looking to improve your photography skills, this article offers valuable tips to help you capture amazing food photos. Here are some of the latest food photography trends to help make your dishes look amazing so they come across well online and on the menu. Let’s get started!

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Focusing Techniques for Sharp Food Photos

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Your restaurant dishes need to look appealing to demonstrate your culinary expertise. Fortunately, you do not require fancy equipment to take phenomenal food photos. The camera on your smartphone can be a powerful tool if used correctly. Make your food seem like a masterpiece for the best pictures.

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If the dish is not in focus, tap on your screen to do so and adjust the exposure if necessary. Stick to clean, uncluttered compositions with the rule of thirds to maintain order and balance. Try different angles to see what looks best. Use apps for simple brightness, contrast, and saturation adjustments to get even better images.

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Natural Light is Your Best Friend

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Natural light is your food photography secret weapon. Steer clear of harsh and artificial-looking lights that will only throw sharp shadows onto the dishes and change their colors.

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Opt for a table by the window during daylight hours to take advantage of gentle, diffuse sunlight. If you are shooting indoors, use sheer curtains to diffuse the light. Cloudy days offer evenly diffused light, making them ideal for shooting food photos.

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Choose the Right Background and Props

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The background and props you use are crucial in creating a mood for your food photos. Choose clean and classy colors and textures that complement the food without taking over. Wooden tops and marble surfaces offer a more neutral backdrop.

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Props such as utensils, napkins, and garnishes, if selected carefully, can add an extra layer to the photographs, giving context. Keep your brand in mind when choosing props to ensure coherence throughout all visuals shared on social media.

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Plate Presentation and Styling

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Carefully style your dish before you pick up the camera. Arrange everything you are serving on the plate, keeping in mind that contrasting colors and textures should go hand in hand. Follow the rule of thirds to frame your shot instead of having one subject in the middle.

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Play with Angles

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Using different angles can make a world of difference to the mood and impression of your food photos. The classic overhead shot, known as “flat lay,” is perfect for showing a beautiful arrangement of food and capturing fine details.

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Don't be afraid to try other shots, such as the 45-degree angle or even shooting from inside the diner. Every angle provides a distinct viewpoint that can emphasize various features of the dish.

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Focus on Texture and Detail

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Pictures of food should make viewers want to taste the dish. Get closer to your dishes and capture the textures. Take macro shots of juicy steak or gooey cheese when you pull your grilled cheese sandwich apart.

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Focus on little things like adding a few herbs or highlighting the shininess of the sauce to make them more appealing. These close-up shots are perfect for your website to excite guests about dining in and on delivery apps to give customers an idea of what to expect.

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Editing and Enhancements

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Post-processing images is a mandatory step in food photography. Use photo editing software to enhance colors, adjust exposures, and perfect the overall look of your images. Remember that moderation is important; don't overdo it and make your dishes look unnatural. The goal is to highlight the already existing beauty of the food, not fake it.

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Bold and Bright Colors

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Rich and bold colors are back in a big way in food photography. Eye-catching, brilliant photos can attract many people. Neon backdrops and bright colors will make your dishes shine, so tap into this trend as much as possible. Good lighting is important when photographing vivid colors, so we recommend using natural light or controlled artificial light.

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The Human Element – Hands in Shots

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Placing human elements, like hands, into the shot is a trending technique. It makes your image more intriguing and visually engaging, showing movement and telling a story. This trend adds a human element and makes the viewer feel like they are there.

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Motion Brings Food Photography to Life

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Motion is becoming more common in food photography through videos, stop-motion, and animated GIFs. Video content is dynamic and eye-catching, bringing food to life and immersing your brand into a story in just seconds.

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Videos can be utilized in several ways and across many different mediums, both long and short. When used with music, they can send strong and clear messages.

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Summary:

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The restaurant world is all about food photography. High-quality photos will attract customers and showcase your delicious dishes. With the right tools, lighting, and styling, you can produce great images that capture your dish's essence. Follow these tips to ensure your food looks amazing online and on the menu. Your restaurant will benefit from it!