Food Photography Tip 1

Food Photography Tip #1: use a black umbrella to create shadows

If you’re looking to bring more depth and life into your food photos try using a black surface to create shadows.  You can use something as simple as a black umbrella to get the job done.  Black foam board also works well and will be a bit more intense since it’s opaque.  Move the black object to different sides of your plate/bowl/etc. to see how the feel of the photo changes.

If you’re working with 2 windows you may want your black surface to block out some of the light and cast shadows onto the food.  If you’re working with one window you can place the umbrella or foam board on the opposite side of where your window is.  Like this:  {window} {food} {black surface}

Move the board closer and further from your food until you like the intensity of the shadows.  If you want to block light from an entire window you can pick up a cheap black sheet and drape it over a curtain rod.

Now let’s see the difference in photos.

Indirect light coming from 2 directions [left + back].

Indirect backlight with black umbrella to the left. [No shadows were added during editing.]

Again, indirect light from 2 directions [left + back].

Umbrella being used at the left with indirect backlight.

And now a side-by-side comparison. 

For the longest time I only used a white board to bounce light and make the image brighter and lesson shadows.  But now, I absolutely love a shadowy image.  I think it brings a more real-life, moody quality to the photo.

A quick trick to try if you’re feeling sort of stuck with your photography [I feel like this all of the time!].

Ashley