All About Food Photography Backdrops

It’s been a while since I last updated my blog, and the reason is simple—I am at my mom’s place, soaking in the warmth, relaxation, and joy. My lil’M, is having the time of her life, basking in all the attention and pampering from her grandparents and sweet aunt. It’s a perfect time to unwind and recharge. Now, let’s move on to today’s post! As many of you know, I’ve been featuring a food photography and styling series, a new post every month. We’ve already covered basics of food styling, prop shopping and camera settings. This time, I want to delve into something equally important: food photography backdrops.

The Role of Backdrops in Food Photography

When it comes to food photography, backdrops play a crucial role in elevating the visual appeal of your images. Since food photography has become a growing hobby and passion for many of us, the right props can make a significant difference in how the food is presented to the viewer. They add depth, context, and personality to the shot.

For this post, I’ve invited a special guest who will share her expertise and insights on blog props. She’s someone whose work has always inspired me, and I’m thrilled to have her on my blog today. She’s quickly made a name for herself in the blogging world, with stunning food photos that stand out due to their unique and thoughtful composition.

I’m talking about the charming and talented Nithi Rajasekaran from The 4th Sense Cooking. I’ve always been in awe of how she uses colorful props, elegant backgrounds, and even handmade articles create such distinct and eye-catching images. When I reached out to Nithi to contribute a guest post on blog props, she happily agreed, and despite her busy schedule, she sent over a detailed post.

Scroll down to discover what Nithi has to share about backgrounds and backdrops—the unsung heroes of food photography!

Nithim says,
A heartfelt hug to Lubna for offering me this wonderful opportunity to write on her blog and for choosing such a delightful topic.

The Power of Photography in Food Blogging

At first, I was surprised to be asked to talk about photography, but I couldn’t resist diving into my two favorite aspects of food photography: backgrounds and props. While I may not consider myself an expert, this phase of food blogging has always brought me joy. So, I’m excited to share my behind-the-scenes secrets with you!

The Magic of Colors

Colors have the power to bring a canvas to life. I truly enjoy playing with vibrant hues to add life and energy to my food photos.

Importance of Backgrounds in Food Photography

The background of a photo is just as important as the subject. A dish is only truly highlighted when it has a supportive, aesthetically pleasing backdrop. Some options for creative backgrounds include:

• Colored charts
• Handmade papers
• Wallpaper
• Roughly painted wooden planks
• Colorful napkins
• Gift wrappers
• A dining table
• Even a simple dhupatta or saree can work wonders

A wonderfully cooked up curry which tastes amazing could look absolutely unappealing when presented in a cooker that it was made!!! (excuse exceptions) That is not what you want right??!! Its not just the dish that gets one’s attention to the pic. It could even be the serving bowl, or the flowers used at the background or even a simple napkin could grab the attention. So do concentrate on all the properties on the setup to make it a beautiful pic on the whole.

I choose colorful bowls and plates that suit the dish and highlight it very well. Plastics, ceramics or glass!! what ever they are made of have their own attraction quotient definitely

Flowers never fail to make us smile. Choose pretty flowers that compliment your dish as backdrops.

Now comes the most important and interesting part of the post – factors that help us choose the best backdrops and settings.

I go by following simple rules of colors or color theories that help us choose the best schemes that pleases our eyes.

Monochromatic Color Scheme

Monochromatic color schemes are derived from a single base color and extended using its shades, tones and tints.

Using one single color in the picture from its lightest shade to the darkest can keep the focus on the subject color and would register in the viewers mind easily.

Simply go ahead choosing background and properties of the same color of the dish.

Example: I have used only shades of yellow as the main color and have extend to its lightest shade being white in mango yoghurt parfait picture below.

Complimentary Color Scheme

Complimentary colors are colors that are opposite to each other on the color wheel.

Complementary color schemes have a more energetic feel. The extreme contrast between the colors creates a vibrant and fresh look.

Example: I have used Purple and Orange as prominent colors which are complimentary to each other and highlight the picture.

The vibrancy is phenomenal when such opposite colors are used.

Analogous Color Scheme

Analogous colors are colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel. These color schemes are pleasing to the eye. They usually match well and create serene and comfortable photographs.

Example: I have used Yellow, Orange and Green in this picture that blends well and gives a pleasing effect.

Bi-Color and Tri-Color

Restricting the number of colors in a picture to two or three result in extremely pleasing pictures.

Example: I have kept it simple and classic by choosing background and properties of just two colors (yellow and brown) in the first pic. And three colors (Yellow, pink and green) in the second photograph.

Apart from having such colored backgrounds you could simply choose to have nature as the background at times too. The photos give a very pleasing and homely appearance when they are shot next to a window.

Example: The apple tea photograph below was shot next to a large window. The blurred trees at the backdrop give it a nice tropical look isn’t it?!!!

Saying all that, we can also have simple vegetable or fruit carvings as our properties too.

Use the prominent veggi or fruit used in the dish to carve out simple flowers or creatures and place them next to the dish. You would score extra points for this from your viewer. It shows your creativity and also enhances the presentation factor of the picture.

Example: I have carved out frogs from green bell peppers and used it as a property to decorate my Bell pepper rice.

Conclusion,

The aim of food photography is to make people drool, so keep clicking pics with different backgrounds and settings until you reach your goal.

Food photography involves a huge scope of creativity and I have realized it in the two years I have been blogging. The best way to learn is to try and keep on trying different things. Enjoy clicking!

All the images and content is sole property of Nithi Rajasekaran of The 4th Sense Cooking.

If you have missed any of the entry under this series, then you can check by clicking on Food Photography and Styling (Season 1).