
How to Make Food Photos More Appetizing? | Photography Early Class Day 2225

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Now, let’s talk about plating. A beautifully plated dish is always more appealing. So, what should we pay attention to when plating? I think the most important thing is to showcase the texture and characteristics of the ingredients. For example, take this plate of konjac. It has a soft and tender texture, so I need to avoid using stiff, straight lines and instead use curved lines to highlight its softness.

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Some dishes are inherently oily or watery, which makes them look appetizing. When photographing them, you should try to keep the surface moist. You can even brush oil or drizzle some water on top. Additionally, using backlighting can create highlights on the surface, making it easier to capture the smooth texture.
Third, for hot dishes, I recommend using warmer tones. This gives the overall image a cozy feel that matches the nature of the dish. Similarly, if there are still bubbles simmering in the soup or steam rising from the food, it enhances that warm, inviting feeling.

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Fourth, I think food photos can benefit from slightly higher saturation in post-processing. When working with portraits or landscape photos, I always focus on controlling saturation to avoid it being too intense. But with food photography, I’ve found that higher saturation seems to work better. Personally, it feels like cooked ingredients often appear deeper and more saturated in color, so I guess the tolerance for saturation in food photos might be related to that. Of course, this varies from person to person; it’s just my current viewpoint.
Fifth, it’s simple but crucial: ensure the main subject is bright. Whether the photo is in a high-key or low-key style, the subject should be bright enough to stand out. This can be achieved not only by paying attention to lighting during the shoot but also by using radial gradient tools in post-processing to adjust the exposure locally.
Lastly, I want to mention interaction. No matter what, having someone interact with the food in the frame makes the image more engaging. For example, using chopsticks to pick up a dish, sprinkling some chili powder, or pouring some sauce. I feel that this creates a sense of immersion for the viewer, as if the hand in the photo is their own, about to bring the food to their mouth. The two images below are quite similar, with one showing interaction and the other without. I wonder if you feel the same way as I do when comparing them?


So that’s all for today’s tips on food photography. If you want to learn more shooting techniques, feel free to ask your questions below in the morning study session.
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