4320.0603 Tips for Shooting on Location
When shooting food photography on location, the goal is to work with the environment and existing settings to create compelling images that fit your vision. Whether you’re shooting in a professional kitchen, a cozy cafe, or a rustic farmhouse, the space around you can provide a lot of inspiration. Here are some tips on how to work with existing settings and modify backgrounds to suit various themes and dishes:
Assessing and Working with Existing Lighting:
Natural Light:
- Location Benefits: Many locations have windows that provide soft, diffused natural light. It’s important to analyze the direction and quality of the light throughout the day, especially for natural light, since it changes in intensity and hue.
- Ideal Lighting Times: Shoot during the “golden hour” (early morning or late afternoon) when the natural light is softer and warmer. If you’re shooting midday, the light can be harsh, so you might need to diffuse it with curtains or use reflectors to soften the shadows.
- Window Light: If there’s a window nearby, position your dish near it, but slightly away from direct sunlight. This creates soft, directional lighting that’s flattering for most types of food. The shadows created by this side-lighting can also emphasize texture and depth, which is great for highlighting crispy edges or intricate garnishes.
Artificial Light:
- Practical Considerations: If you’re in a location with poor natural light, you may need to bring artificial lighting. Low-cost LED panels or softboxes can help replicate the effect of natural light.
- Color Temperature: Be mindful of color temperature. Many artificial lights (like incandescent bulbs) have a yellow tint, which can affect the food’s appearance. You can correct this using a color-balancing filter or editing in post-production.
- Avoid Overhead Light: Overhead lighting, such as harsh ceiling lights, often creates unflattering shadows that can flatten your subject. If you’re shooting under overhead lights, try to use a diffuser or shoot at a time of day when the light is softer.
Modifying Light on Location:
- Reflectors and Diffusers: A simple reflector (such as a piece of white foam core or a silver reflector) can bounce light back onto the food, brightening the shadows and creating a more even look. If the light is too harsh, a diffuser (like a white cloth or softbox) can soften it to mimic the soft glow of a cloudy day.
- Controlling Shadows: Shadows can make or break a shot. If the shadows are too harsh, use a white or light-colored reflector to bounce light back into the dark areas. Alternatively, you can use black cards to selectively block light and create more dramatic shadows.
- Backlighting: For certain foods (like beverages, jelly, or translucent dishes), backlighting works beautifully. Position your light source behind the food to highlight its shape and texture, creating a glowing effect. This works particularly well for dishes that have layers or an inherent translucency, like cocktails, smoothies, or fruit-based desserts.
Background Modifications for Specific Themes:
Different foods convey different moods, so your background should complement the dish. The key to modifying backgrounds is enhancing the food without distracting from it. Here’s how to adjust based on food themes:
Rustic, Comfort Food Themes:
- Background Elements: Rustic foods (like stews, pies, and bread) work best with raw, organic backgrounds. Wooden surfaces—whether smooth or weathered—are ideal for this type of food. Reclaimed wood or rough-hewn tables add depth and a tactile element, which fits well with the hearty, comforting feel of the dishes.
- Additional Modifications: To enhance this theme on location:
- Wooden Cutting Boards: If the setting is already full of polished wood, you might want to bring a slightly more worn cutting board or a rustic plate to contrast and add texture.
- Textiles: Pair wood with linen, burlap, or cotton to soften the look. Drape a slightly wrinkled linen cloth or napkin across the table or around the dish for a more lived-in, homey feel.
- Props: Consider adding ingredients that highlight the dish, such as raw vegetables, herbs, or spices scattered around the plate to evoke a sense of casual home cooking.
Modern, Minimalist Dishes:
- Background Elements: Clean, smooth backgrounds work best for modern or fine dining. Opt for sleek surfaces such as marble, glass, or high-gloss tiles, which complement contemporary food styling. A polished black countertop or a white subway-tiled wall can work wonders.
- Additional Modifications:
- Simple, Bold Plates: In minimalist photography, the plate itself becomes an important background element. Choose modern, simple, or monochromatic plates to let the food take center stage.
- Accents and Negative Space: Minimalist food photography often relies on a lot of negative space around the food. Use large, empty areas of your background to draw focus to the plate, creating a clean, high-end feel.
- Modern Utensils and Glassware: The use of fine glassware, sleek cutlery, or even transparent bowls can further enhance the contemporary, sophisticated vibe.
Fresh, Vibrant Dishes:
- Background Elements: Fresh salads, vibrant fruits, or smoothies should be showcased on backgrounds that amplify their color. Choose light-colored surfaces, such as white marble, pale wood, or light ceramics, to allow the colors of the dish to pop.
- Additional Modifications:
- Natural Accents: Bring in some greenery or fresh herbs to frame the dish. You can also use natural textiles like cotton napkins in soft, pastel tones to complement the dish’s freshness.
- Simplicity: Keep the background clean and light to let the food’s colors stand out. Avoid busy patterns or textures that could compete with the vibrant food.
- Contrasting Backgrounds: If your food is light and colorful (e.g., a fruit salad), try placing it against a darker surface like a walnut-colored wood or slate. The contrast will make the colors more striking.
Gourmet and Luxury Dishes:
- Background Elements: For upscale meals (think plated gourmet dishes or decadent desserts), choose refined and elegant backgrounds like smooth marble, polished wood, or glossy black tiles. These backgrounds help emphasize the sophistication and craftsmanship of fine dining.
- Additional Modifications:
- Rich, Luxe Textiles: Use luxurious fabrics like velvet, satin, or silk for the backdrop. This adds a touch of opulence and creates an elegant vibe.
- Refined Props: Include delicate items like crystal glassware, polished silver cutlery, or minimalistic plates to elevate the scene.
- Use of Depth: When shooting gourmet food, don’t hesitate to shoot at various focal lengths to create depth. A shallow depth of field can blur the background slightly, keeping the focus on the fine details of the dish.
Practical Tips for Modifying Backgrounds Quickly on Location:
When shooting on location, you might not always have the flexibility to completely redesign the background. However, there are several practical tricks you can use to modify your setting and adapt the background to the dish:
Quick Background Modifications:
- Use Fabric Backdrops: If the background is too plain or cluttered, use fabric to cover surfaces. For example, a simple piece of linen can create an instant rustic feel, while velvet or satin can instantly add luxury. Carry a couple of options in neutral colors like beige, gray, or white for versatility.
- Bring a Portable Surface: Consider bringing a lightweight foldable backdrop or a textured surface that can be placed on any flat surface. For example, faux wood or marble vinyl backdrops can be rolled out and used as a quick, high-quality backdrop for your food.
- Layering Textures: You can quickly layer props like napkins, a cutting board, or even dried herbs to create a more textured, visually interesting surface that complements the food. Layering gives the food depth and draws attention to its details.
Using the Existing Architecture:
- Exposed Elements: If the location has any exposed elements like brick walls, industrial beams, or vintage windows, try using them as natural framing elements. A brick wall, for example, can add a rugged, earthy feel to dishes like pizza, burgers, or grilled meats.
- Reflections: Look for reflective surfaces like glass tables or mirrors. These can add a luxurious feel and can create interesting reflections of the food or its surroundings, giving depth to your images.
Lighting and Composition Tips for Location Shoots:
Once you’ve modified the background and set the mood for the shoot, focus on your composition and lighting:
- Natural Frame: Use natural elements in the space as framing devices. For example, shoot through an archway or between branches of plants to create an intimate, focused scene.
- Shoot at Different Angles: Experiment with overhead shots (ideal for flat lays or salads), side angles (perfect for capturing texture, like a burger’s layers), and low angles (great for highlighting a stacked dish or showing height in desserts).
- Maintain Simplicity: Avoid cluttering the scene. Let the food take center stage, using the background as a supporting element that enhances the shot without overwhelming it.