Here’s the next installment on my Few Thoughts on Food Photography series. There were a lot of questions about equipment and set up in the comments, but being somewhat obsessive about this whole subject—I’m gonna backtrack a bit to share my process—which is, I usually think about composition first, then styling.
Grab a cuppa, this is a long post about how I view composition and work from there. The next post will be on styling. From there, many of you asked for step-by-step from set-up to post processing, so I’ll cover that, then onto how to work through creative funks and points of inspiration.
Hopefully this post and series is helpful. If not, my apologies in advance for taking away 15 minutes you’ll never get back. That’s probably a sentiment I should have kept to myself, but since we’re all friends here, I’ll beg for forgiveness with next week’s recipes.
Now let’s do this!
Composition
Composition gives your photos structure. Think of it this way—written stories have a structure, right? By that I mean, say you have a story in mind and sure, you have the plot, the setting and the characters in mind. But how you choose to tell the story will decide it’s structure, i.e. will it be character driven, plot driven or setting driven (of course, I’m being very brief with that analogy, but you get the idea).
Composed with a lifestyle composition in mind
When it comes to pictures, it’s the same thing. You need structure to provide space to your visual voice. And to clarify, when I mention the term visual voice, I mean it as a combination of your composition and styling. Since I’ll be covering styling in another post, I’m going to go over a few established rules for composition that will affect your styling and then tell you, “Know them, use them, then break them”.
Rule of thirds
For the sake of brevity, I’m going to point you to this link, since it provides one of the better explanations in a clear and concise way. Now do I follow this rule most of the time? Generally, yes, but not so precisely. If you take a look at most of my work you’ll see this rule in effect. But often times I don’t set up a shot with that in mind. In fact the more you shoot, this won’t even be a conscious consideration. More importantly, for my process, I compose a shot starting from one of the four edges of a frame—but before we get to that, let’s move to the next point. Because, for my compositional process, deciding what angle to shoot usually comes first.
Rule of thirds in action
Get angular
Admittedly, I’m an overhead shooter and I’m sure that has much to do with my compositional resonance towards composing from edge to edge. Even with that, I know sometimes shooting at 0 degrees (straight on) will provide the highest visual impact. Take for example a drippy center-filled dessert—sure you can shoot it from up top and have the oozing-drip pooled on a plate. But most people would shoot it straight on, so that the drip is at an eye-level perspective—one that makes for a more first-person perspective and one that makes the viewer want to grab for the screen.
Composed with the caramel drip at center focus
Know your edges
I know it sounds simple, but it will really help you frame your composition. And as I mentioned above I usually frame my shots working from edge to edge rather than from the center out. Often times when I’m thinking about the composition, whether it’s an over head shot, straight on, or anywhere from 20-45% angle—knowing my space helps me fill it, i.e. top to bottom, left to right, or diagonally. This is especially important when composing a shot with a large negative space.
Composed from left edge to right
Let’s talk negative space
Be it small or large, this is really something that can impact your pictures greatly. It helps direct the eye from one point of the picture to the next. Have you ever been presented with a picture that’s so busy you don’t know where to look first or what the focus point even is? With negative space, you give your picture cadence, pacing—I like to think of it as the punctuation in pictures—it’s the compositional space that transitions the eye from one point of the picture to the next.
Composed with a large negative space in mind
Of course, these are a few of elements of composition that reflect my own style and personality but there are plenty more out there. So if you have some that guide you, by all means—please share with the rest of us!
**Food Photography for Bloggers: Part I | How to Develop Your Passion can be found here**
These tips are great! Composition is SO important and it really is what engages the reader. I feel like the more we do it, the more quickly we can think on how to compose each shot but whenever I look at yours, I’m always like, ‘wow I wouldn’t know how to compose that to make it look that good’ haha you’re awesome!!
These tips are so great!! I love the one about styling from the edges in..I always so the opposite so I definitely will be trying that one! Thanks Naomi! Pinned!
Thank you so much. I think you articulated your process so well. You are an amazing talent, and appreciate you sharing. Looking forward to the next post about styling. So fun.
Great post, Naomi! Thanks so much for sharing this information. Looking forward to the styling post.
Naomi those salted caramel macaroons are gorgeous! all of your photos are so inspiring, great post. Thank you so much for sharing your perspective and knowledge on photography, you’re an inspiration!
Great tips to remember. Thanks, Naomi!
So composition is my biggest challenge!! I love to hear how you work because it inspires me to push myself. Quick question- do you work on a tripod to get your comp just right before shooting?
Such great tips!! Composition is so important and I love your take on angels. A post to remember and use for sure!
This is amazing! Love this series! Your tip about working from edge to edge – genius!
LOVE that you’re doing this series! Such great tips!!
I’m so excited about this series and loved reading all of this post! Definitely gave me some things to think about. Looking forward to the next one! 🙂
Thanks so much for doing these enlightening posts! I am a big fan of your photography! : )
Fantastic post – enjoyed your perspective of how your mind works on your art/compositions. Besides being an original and talented photographer you are a great writer! Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Have a lovely Easter weekend!
I love your tips, since I went to art school I am good on composition for the most part, but the food story is a detail I need to give more thought. I love how your photos vary so much from very dark to light depending on the subject! That is something I need to learn for sure!
Thanks for posting this! I usually shoot the same exact way with the same layout, etc and I’ve been getting bored with it. I love your “negative space” point and want to play around with composing differently.
Pinned to my food photography board! It’s always interesting, helpful, and thought-provoking for me to read what others do with their images, shots, and getting from point A to point Z and everything in between. I’m not really an edge shooter and so it’s nice to be reminded to branch out more!
Love this post, great tips! Totally need to use the angles tip too. I always do the complete opposite but it totally makes sense it do the angles thing. Need to start telling a story with my photos too. Pinned this, great tips Naomi!
Great post! I learned a great deal about composition when I used to do textile design ~ so much of that applies to photos.
Thanks, great tips, will put to use!
I’m so excited that you are doing this series. I love your work and can’t wait to learn a few tips and tricks. Thanks so much!
Love this post! I definitely am constantly learning with my food blog and you are such an inspiration! Thanks for posting these tips and trick…your photos are SOOOO pretty!
Awesome Naomi!!! Love your posts and photos, xoox
These photo-taking tips are great and much appreciated!
Love your take on edge shooting and negative space!
Love these tips, thanks for sharing!
My brain just did a complete floperoo thinking about composing a shot starting with the edges rather than the center. I tend to be exactly the opposite, but I’m definitely going to try that next time. Also you make plastic cutlery and paper plates look downright sexy.
Hello!
I run a little photography blog. I agree with you – composition is one of the most important components of a great photograph! I think your tips are excellent. I really like that you discuss negative space, which is something not everyone thinks about.
Cheers,
Rachel
Naomi – loved, loved, loved this post! I did exactly as you said – I settled in for a long read and I loved it! You are so right about composition, negative space, giving a place for the eye to rest and with great pictures (and examples) of this! I only wish there were more to read! Thank you for sharing your process! So helpful!
I say it all the time but your photography is just downright inspiring. Thanks for sharing Naomi!
Nice Pictures and thank you so much for the inspiration
Marisela
Thanks for this photography series, Naomi! Really helpful.
Thanks for the tips Naomi, they are brilliant! I try to work with a story too, but I love how you showed much more detail on that story.
I’m loving this series! Food photography can be so overwhelming…keep the tips coming!
What an amazing post, lots of points I had never considered! I am a huge fan and regular reader. Thank you for the tips!
So helpful, I will we reading all of these posts!
Such awesome tips!!! I am so glad I stumbled by!!!
Your pictures are stunning – I am working on my composition as to date Foodgawker keeps telling me my composition is not right!