Taking a Different Angle on Food Photography
This past weekend, I was shooting my Autumn Brussels sprouts salad, when something occurred to me; I was shooting a salad from a straight-on angle. Something I was originally taught not to do.
Taught by who?
Oh, you know. "Those" people. The ones that create articles and videos online to help provide free educational resources (myself included). You see, as a novice food photographer one of the crucial guidelines you learn, or one of the most basic fundamental principals shared widely to the public, is to always shoot from one of three different angles for food photography. Flat layStraight on45-Degree Angle Taking it a step further, it is strongly recommended that the angle you shoot from should be determined by the subject you are shooting.
For example:
Flat lays are perfect for flat subjects, like soups, salads, pizza and cookies. . A straight on shot is recommended for those tall or stackable subjects like cakes and sandwiches. Sometimes drinks . The 45-degree angle shot is more versatile, and can be used for flat foods, action shots, or for those medium height foods, or drinks. . . So, if these are the recommended food photography angles for specific subjects, how come I was shooting a salad straight on (especially, when after being placed in a bowl, it was hard to see the salad)?
The answer to this is simple...
As we begin to develop our skills as photographers, it is no longer just about what angle will make the food look the best. It also becomes about the story we want to tell. The mood we want to set. Often, novice photographers will jump ahead and try to create more advanced photos based on inspiration they find online and on social media. They jump to more advanced skill sets, before learning the fundamentals. As a teacher, I advocate learning those basics skills. Starting with the basics teaches you the craft. However, I also strongly believe that after learning and mastering those rules, that you should break them. (Plus, technically they are just guidelines.) If you don't break them, step outside your comfort zone, and explore your creativity through trial and error, then you won't be able to grow and advance.
A couple of months ago...
I could shoot a soup or salad so quickly. I had those flat lays down. Like the one below, this shot took me about ten minutes to shoot, after I styled it. But now, salads have once again become challenging. That is because I am constantly trying to create something new and enhance my skills. And that is a good thing!
So here is your homework for this week:
Whatever the next subject you are shooting is, I want you to shoot it from all three angles. Find a way to make each angle work, through your lighting, color, composition, and story telling techniques. Then, post it on Instagram and tag @elizabethdworkinphotography and @masterfoodphotography with the hashtag, #photoanglechallenge. This way, I can be sure to comment on it, provide feedback, and share it in my stories with the IG world!