Finding Your Way In Food Photography

Part of the Food Photography & Styling Series | Season 1, Guest Post #12

When I started my Food Photography and Styling series on Yummy Food, my intention was simple: to bring together talented food bloggers and photographers who could share their experiences, ideas and practical tips with fellow food lovers. Each guest brought something different to the series, and every post taught me something new.

Today, I am delighted to bring you the final instalment of Season 1.

Looking back, this series has been a memorable milestone in my blogging journey. It introduced my readers to wonderful food bloggers, brought new readers to Yummy Food and gave me the opportunity to learn alongside all of you. From food styling and composition to props, backgrounds and lighting, every edition explored a different aspect of food photography.

For this final post, I invited someone whose photographs have always inspired me — Soma of eCurry.

Soma’s journey is a beautiful reminder that food photography is a process of learning, experimenting, making mistakes and discovering what works for you. She shares her experiences with refreshing honesty, without complicated technical explanations or the assumption that you need expensive equipment to take good photographs.

In this guest post, Soma talks about her journey as a food photographer and shares practical lessons on choosing props and backgrounds, understanding natural light, styling food, composing photographs and developing your own visual style.

Thank you, Soma, for taking the time to be part of this series and for sharing your journey with us.

Let’s hear from Soma!

Food Photography – A Journey

By Soma of eCurry

I have become so deeply involved in food photography that I sometimes obsess over getting everything right. And by right, I mean the picture I have already visualised in my mind for that particular day or post. I then try my best to match that vision, which is not always easy.

When I started food blogging, it was simply a way to keep a record of my recipes. Over time, it opened the doors to an entirely new world that I knew very little about.

Recipes will always be the heart of a food blog. But presenting those recipes in a way that catches a reader’s attention and makes them want to explore further is important too.

The aim is to make food look so inviting that you want to reach out and take a bite, even when it is something as simple as a green salad.

We taste food with our eyes first, don’t we? A thoughtfully arranged platter of fresh green salad can look far more inviting than a handful of leaves tossed into a bowl and served without much thought.

I am not sure I am qualified to talk about food photography. Honestly, I still struggle with it almost every day. I am constantly learning, experimenting and trying to improve. The technical aspects of a camera have never come naturally to me either.

When Lubna first asked me to contribute to her Food Photography and Styling series, I refused. I genuinely felt I wasn’t knowledgeable enough to write about the subject.

But Lubna persisted, and her confidence in me was humbling. I was still nervous about writing this post, so please bear with me as I share what I have learnt along the way.

I must also mention my dear friend Alka of Sindhi Rasoi. A few months after I started blogging, Alka contacted me about my photographs and introduced me to Photoshop. Until then, I had not even explored photo-editing software.

She took some of my photographs, adjusted their brightness and contrast, and sent them back to me. That small gesture opened up an entirely new world for me.

I began to understand the importance of photography and how closely it connects with food blogging. Alka, I owe you a big thank you!

I don’t have any complicated camera techniques to teach you here. Instead, I want to share the things I do, the lessons I am slowly learning and the little discoveries that have helped me improve my food photography.

I hope some of them help you too. About 2 years back…in 2010 (Harira)

In 2012 here as I am now – (Tomato Dal – below).

Every photography session is an opportunity to learn. If you have doubts or questions, don’t hesitate to ask for help. The food blogging community is full of generous people who are willing to share their knowledge.

Look at photographs you admire, make a list of blogs that inspire you and ask experienced photographers for constructive feedback. Listen to their suggestions and see what you can learn from them.

That was one of the first things I did, and it continues to help me. I won’t be discussing apertures, f-stops, lenses or depth of field here. I am not an expert in the technical workings of a camera.

Until February, I was using a bridge camera with a fixed lens and shooting in Auto mode. I didn’t have a DSLR, yet I was learning to make photographs I loved.

You don’t need the most expensive camera to take good food photographs. Learn to work with the equipment you have, observe the light around you and practise as often as you can.

If you own a DSLR or a mirrorless camera, there is plenty to learn about its technical features too. Explore those lessons when you feel ready. But don’t let the technical details stop you from enjoying photography.

Here are the things that have helped me most.

1. Food Photography Props: Start With What You Have

Props were one of the first things that drew me towards food photography. I have always enjoyed collecting unusual and pretty little things, and photography gave that hobby a new purpose.

But you don’t have to collect a cupboard full of props to begin. Look around your home. You may find interesting plates, old bottles, little bowls, baskets, fabric pieces or other everyday objects that work beautifully in photographs.

Some of my favourite finds have included second-hand treasures, old bottles, baby spoons, baskets that might otherwise be discarded, small dessert cups and candle holders.

When you are starting out, white and neutral-coloured props are particularly useful. They allow the food to remain the centre of attention and make it easier to experiment with colours and textures.

As you become more confident, try introducing coloured plates, patterned fabrics and contrasting accessories.

There are no fixed rules about which props you must use. What matters is how they work with the food and the story you want to tell.

A beautiful prop is not always the right prop for a photograph.

2. DIY Food Photography Backgrounds

Backgrounds can completely change the mood of a food photograph. The same dish can look rustic, elegant, dramatic or cheerful depending on the surface and colours around it.

Painted wooden boards and fabrics have worked particularly well for me. I often use small pieces of fabric, leftover material, scarves, shawls and even old bedsheets. You don’t need to buy expensive photography backdrops when you can find interesting textures around your home.

Old wooden shelves, discarded panels and weathered boards can make wonderful backgrounds too. Home-improvement shops sometimes have inexpensive offcuts that are worth exploring.

I have painted and stained wooden boards using different paints to create a variety of surfaces. Painting each side differently is a useful way to get more options from a single board.

For a rustic look, an aged or weathered finish can add character and texture.

When choosing a background, think about the colour and texture of the food.

A dark background can bring out the colours of bright ingredients, while a pale background can make a photograph feel light and airy. A textured wooden surface can add warmth to bread, curries, soups and other homely dishes.

Start with what you have. Experiment with different surfaces before investing in new ones.

3. Natural Light Food Photography: Learn to Work With Light

For me, learning to understand and control light has been one of the most important parts of food photography.

A beautifully styled dish can lose its appeal when the lighting is wrong. The problem isn’t always a lack of light. Strong, harsh light and excessive contrast can also make photographs look washed out or overexposed.

I have struggled with overexposed photographs myself, and I am still learning by observing other photographers and listening to honest feedback from friends.

My home food photography setup

My main light source is a large window on the right. The room receives plenty of natural light through its other windows too.

I use wooden planks placed on a storage cupboard to create my photography surface, with my props stored underneath. You can also see my homemade reflector, which is simply a board covered with aluminium foil.

When I need to soften the light, I cover the window with baking paper. It is a simple setup, but it works for me.

Finding the best natural light

When you are learning food photography, begin with natural light before investing in artificial lighting equipment.

Find a spot in your home where the light is good and observe how it changes throughout the day. The best time will depend on the direction of your windows, the weather and the kind of photograph you want to create.

For me, the morning light coming through my windows is often soft and pleasant.

Place a plate of food near a window and take a few photographs. Then move the plate slightly, change your position and try again.

Notice how the highlights and shadows change. You may be surprised by how different the same dish looks with just a small adjustment.

Understanding light direction

One easy way to experiment with light is to imagine the food sitting in the centre of a clock.

The camera is in front of you, and the window can be placed at different positions around the food.

Here are three basic lighting directions to try.

Backlighting

Backlighting means placing the light source behind the food, roughly at the 12 o’clock position in this example.

I use backlighting quite often because it highlights the edges and textures of food and creates beautiful shadows. It can be particularly effective for drinks, translucent ingredients, fruit, soups and dishes with a little shine.

Backlighting can also create a lovely moody photograph when used with a dark background.

For the Rosemary Almond Cookies photograph below, I allowed light to fall from behind, blocked some unwanted light and used a reflector to brighten part of the frame. I wanted the cookies to remain the main attraction, so I allowed some shadows to remain.

The photograph of blood oranges is another example. The backlight highlights their juicy surface and makes the fruit look fresh and vibrant.

Sidelighting

Sidelighting means placing the main light source to the right or left of the food.

This is another lighting direction I use often. It can reveal texture, create depth and add gentle shadows without making the food look flat.

In the Bhuna Khichuri photograph, light enters from the right, while a foam board on the opposite side helps soften the shadows.

You can also control sidelighting by blocking selected areas of light. In my pomegranate photograph, I used boards to prevent unwanted light from reaching certain parts of the frame. This helped draw attention to the area I wanted to highlight.

Front lighting

Front lighting means the light source is positioned in front of the food, close to the camera’s direction.

I am not particularly fond of front lighting for every dish, but it can work well in some situations. It can brighten the food evenly and reduce strong shadows.

The Malai Kofta photograph below is one example where front lighting worked for me.

The best way to understand light is to try all three directions with the same dish and setup. Compare the photographs and notice which one brings out the food’s colours, shape and texture most effectively.

There is no single lighting direction that works for every dish.

4. How to Control Light and Shadows

Understanding light is only half the process. Learning to control it can make a considerable difference to your food photographs.

If sunlight coming through a large window is too harsh, a sheer curtain or a suitable translucent diffuser can soften it. Shadows are not always something to eliminate; they can add depth, mood and dimension.

However, if the shadows are too strong, a simple reflector can help brighten the darker areas.

I use a foam board or poster board, and sometimes a piece of cardboard covered with aluminium foil. These homemade reflectors are inexpensive and easy to work with.

You can also use a suitable support to hold the boards in place while photographing.

Using shadows for moody food photography

Sometimes I want only a part of the dish to catch the light while the rest of the frame remains dark. This creates a dramatic, low-key food photograph.

Black foam boards or other opaque cards can help block unwanted light. Even a book or a small piece of dark card can be useful when you need to control light falling on a particular area.

The methi leaves photograph below demonstrates this technique. I partially blocked the main light coming from the right, allowing a stream of light to illuminate the leaves while keeping the rest of the frame dark and moody.

A simple tip: If you want to experiment with low-key food photography, try a dark background, one main light source and a reflector or black card to control the shadows.

You don’t need elaborate equipment. Begin with simple tools and learn how the light behaves.

5. Food Styling, Composition and Theme

Food styling, composition and theme work together. They influence the way a photograph looks and the feeling it creates for the person viewing it.

A photograph can be technically correct and still fail to communicate the mood you had in mind. Sometimes the difference lies in the smallest details.

Find your own food photography style

There is so much inspiration available in cookbooks, magazines, food blogs and photographs shared online. I enjoy looking at beautiful images and learning from them, but I have also learnt that I am happiest when I create something that feels like my own.

Finding your style and allowing yourself to be creative can be much more rewarding than trying to recreate someone else’s photograph.

When you are beginning, keep things simple. Avoid filling the frame with too many props and accessories.

If you use ingredients as props, make sure they relate to the dish. For example, if sage is part of your recipe, use sage rather than coriander simply because its shape looks attractive.

Every element in the photograph should have a reason to be there.

When too many things compete for attention, the main subject gets lost. Think of photographing your child: when you want to capture that beautiful smile, you want the focus to remain on the smile, not on the mountains and flowers in the background.

The same idea applies to food photography.

Food Photography Composition

Composition is the way you arrange and frame the elements in a photograph.

There are established principles worth learning, including the rule of thirds, leading lines, balance, negative space and visual flow. Understanding them can help you make thoughtful decisions about where to place your food, props and other elements.

But learning these principles doesn’t mean you must follow every rule in every photograph.

I often arrange the food on a table and keep changing the positions until the image feels balanced. Sometimes moving a bowl a little to one side or removing a prop is all it takes.

Composition is also personal. What works beautifully for one photograph may not work for another.

Experiment with different arrangements and angles. Learn the basic principles, then allow your eyes and instincts to guide you.

Choose a theme or mood for your photograph

Before you start styling, think about the feeling you want your photograph to convey.

Do you want a contemporary, clean look? A warm, rustic mood? An elegant gourmet presentation? Or a relaxed, inviting scene that makes people feel as though they are welcome to share a meal with you?

Once you decide on the mood, choose your props, background, colours and composition accordingly.

You don’t need to plan every tiny detail. Having a general idea of the photograph you want to create can help you make better decisions while styling.

6. Practical Food Photography Tips and Tricks

Over time, I have learnt that small adjustments often make a big difference. Here are a few practical lessons that have helped me along the way.

Use fresh herbs and garnishes

Fresh ingredients make food photographs look more vibrant.

Wilted herbs and dry, discoloured garnishes can distract from an otherwise beautiful dish. Keep herbs fresh, and add the garnish close to the time of photographing.

A few neatly placed herbs, a slice of lemon or a little fresh fruit may be all you need.

You don’t have to garnish every dish. Sometimes leaving the food untouched creates the most beautiful photograph.

Keep cooked food looking fresh

Food can lose its shine as it sits, particularly under warm lights or during a long photography session.

For suitable dishes, a tiny amount of oil brushed or drizzled over the surface can help bring back some shine. Use this sparingly and only when it suits the food.

The aim is to show the dish at its best while keeping the photograph believable.

Pay attention to prop sizes

The size of your props matters.

A very large spoon beside a tiny bowl can look unbalanced unless you are deliberately creating that effect. Choose plates, bowls, cutlery and other accessories that work well with the size of the food.

Small plates and bowls can be particularly useful when photographing modest portions.

Don’t overcrowd the plate

You don’t need to show everything you have prepared in one photograph.

A smaller, thoughtfully arranged portion can be easier to style and photograph than an overflowing plate. Leave enough room for the food’s shape and texture to stand out.

Think about what the viewer needs to see rather than how much food you can fit into the frame.

Step back and try different angles

Very tight close-ups don’t work for every dish.

Sometimes a close-up reveals a beautiful texture. At other times, stepping back shows the shape of the dish, the serving arrangement and the setting more effectively.

Try photographing the same food from above, at a 45-degree angle and from a lower angle near the table.

Different foods suit different perspectives. A flatbread or a beautifully arranged platter may look lovely from above, while a layered cake or a tall dessert may benefit from a side view.

Take several photographs and choose the one that tells the story best.

Tell a story through your food photographs

A photograph becomes more interesting when it suggests that something has just happened or is about to happen.

A half-filled glass, a little syrup dripping from a spoon, a squeezed lemon, a broken cookie or an unfolded napkin can add a sense of movement and everyday life.

These details don’t need to look perfect. They simply need to feel intentional.

The goal is to make the viewer imagine tasting the food, serving it or sharing it with someone.

Photographing Indian food

Indian curries, dals, soups and gravies can be challenging to photograph, especially when the dish has a thin or liquid consistency.

Instead of showing only the gravy, try arranging some of the solid ingredients where they can be seen. This helps the viewer understand the dish’s texture and ingredients.

For a curry, a little tempering or garnish added just before photographing can help bring out the colours and textures.

Fresh herbs, lemon slices or other suitable garnishes can also add interest. Use them sparingly and choose elements that belong naturally with the dish.

The aim is not to disguise the food but to present it in a way that helps people appreciate what makes it special.

Make the best of kitchen mishaps

Not every dish comes out of the kitchen looking perfect. Cakes may crack, pies may crumble and a slice may fall apart when you try to serve it.

Don’t let that stop you from taking a photograph.

Look for the part of the dish that looks best. If a pie breaks while serving, choose a beautiful slice and let the rest remain softly in the background.

Sometimes an imperfect dish can still make a lovely photograph when you pay attention to the details.

Learn by observing other photographers

Cookbooks, food magazines and blogs have taught me a great deal about food styling, lighting, composition, angles and mood.

When you see a photograph you admire, don’t just scroll past it. Pause and ask yourself what makes it work.

Is it the direction of light? The colours? The simplicity of the props? The way the food is arranged? The mood created by the background?

Observe, learn and experiment with the ideas that appeal to you.

You can take inspiration from another photographer without trying to reproduce their exact style.

Experiment, practise and enjoy the process

After reading, observing and learning all you can, give yourself permission to experiment.

Rules and techniques are useful, but they shouldn’t restrict your creativity. Change the arrangement, try a different light source, remove a prop or move the camera.

Sometimes you may take a hundred photographs before finding one you truly love. That can be frustrating, but it is also part of learning.

Every dish, every light condition and every photography session offers a new opportunity to discover something.

For me, photographing food brings happiness, along with its fair share of struggles, frustration and dissatisfaction. But the joy of finding that one photograph that feels right makes the effort worthwhile.

So keep practising, keep learning and, above all, enjoy the process!

Food Photography Today: The Tools May Change, but the Learning Continues

When I first shared these thoughts in 2012, my photography setup was simple. I was learning to work with a bridge camera, natural light, homemade reflectors and whatever props I could find.

Today, food bloggers can choose from smartphone cameras, DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, editing apps and a wide variety of lighting equipment.

But the fundamentals remain valuable.

Learning to recognise good light, choosing a suitable background, understanding composition and styling food with intention can help you create more effective photographs, whatever equipment you use.

If you are starting your food photography journey today, begin with a window, a plate of food and a camera you already own. Observe the light, take several photographs and compare the results.

You don’t need a perfect studio to begin learning.

Give yourself time to develop your skills and discover what you enjoy photographing. Your style will evolve as you gain experience, and that is part of the beauty of the journey.

About Soma

Soma is the talented food blogger and photographer behind eCurry. In this guest post, she shares her personal experiences of learning food photography, from experimenting with props and natural light to developing her own approach to food styling.

Her willingness to share both her struggles and discoveries is what makes this contribution so valuable.

Thank you, Soma, for being part of this series and for reminding us that beautiful food photography is not only about equipment or technical knowledge. It is also about patience, observation, creativity and the willingness to keep learning.

Bringing Season 1 to a Close

When I started the Food Photography and Styling series, I never imagined how special this journey would become.

Over the course of the series, I had the pleasure of inviting wonderful food bloggers and photographers to share their knowledge and experiences with my readers. Every contributor brought a different perspective, and every edition gave us something new to learn.

A heartfelt thank you to Namitha, Kulsum, Nisha, Nithi, Harini, Nags, Deeba, Sandhya, Pavithra, Arfi, Tika and Soma for making Season 1 such a wonderful and memorable experience.

Thank you, too, to everyone who read these posts, left encouraging comments, shared them with friends and followed the series month after month. And to my silent readers who may never have left a comment, I am grateful to you as well.

This final post is a fitting way to close the season. Soma’s story reminds us that food photography is a journey of learning, experimenting and discovering our own creative voice.

The tools and trends may change, but the joy of sharing what we learn remains.

If you missed any of the earlier editions, you can revisit them here:

Explore the complete Food Photography and Styling – Season 1 series

Thank you for being part of this journey with me. ❤️

Originally published on Yummy Food (Kitchen Flavours) on March 31, 2012. This article has been refreshed for today’s readers while preserving Soma’s original experiences, practical lessons and the spirit of the guest-post series.