Napkin Placement in Food Photography

Raise your hand if you never know what to do with the napkin placement in food photography? How about if you know where it needs to go, but just can't get that perfect crumple?

You know, the one that looks perfectly imperfect.

That frames your subject just right, and captures the light in the most beautiful, yet seemingly unplanned way. If you are a food photographer, I have no doubt that you have your hand raised. You would think that napkin placement would be the simplest thing, and yet for a small piece of cloth it causes more trouble that we would probably all like to admit!

I can't tell you how many hours I have spent adjusting and re-adjusting a napkin.

To ensure it adds to the photo, not subtracts. And when you get it just right, you have to be so careful not to touch it in the slightest. I've even shot at a restaurant where I have gotten the napkin perfect, and wouldn't change my camera setup to get a different angle of the same food until I got all flat lays of the different meals complete. Why? Because if I moved that napkin, I would never get it exactly the same again! Okay, so if you feel my pain here, how do we solve for it? To be honest, there is really no best practice for napkin placement in food photography. It is always going to be trial and error. But, there are a few guidelines that may help the next time you are so frustrated at that napkin that you just want to crumple it up, throw it in a corner, and never see it again!

First up, when to use a napkin or cloth in your food photography.

Napkins can add a softer touch to your photo, or help complete it. Always remember though that a napkin or cloth should only add to your photo. If it becomes the star, it is time to toss it aside, or reassess your entire composition.

So, when should you use one?

In my opinion, napkins are great tools when there is a gap in your composition that needs to be filled. And I mean a literal gap, as in too much empty space. That said, you should think about whether a different item would better tell your story, or if you can use that empty space to your advantage.
Napkins are great tools to add an additional layer to your photography. Generally speaking you want at least three layers and textures in your food photography to help it feel complete. That is not a strict rule. Plenty of incredible photos are so minimal that it is just the subject sitting on the surface. However, if you are going minimal and you feel like something is missing, try adding a napkin to the photo.
Napkins can help add contrast. Whether it be a texture or color contrast, the additional detail can help add something special to your photo, and share in the story telling.
Another trick for using a napkin, is when you need to hide something in the photo. A horizon line, for example.

And onto the napkin placement!

Are you as excited as I am?

First up is a classic. Right under the plate or subject we go!

In these photos, I used a napkin as an additional layer to help complete the picture. I placed them directly under the subject, folded. In the photo of the Carbonara, the napkin aids in storytelling, as though I am just sitting down to a meal. For the photo of these mozzarella sticks, I used the napkin less as a story telling technique, and more as a layer to help the composition, as I felt that photo needed more lines added to it. I used the napkin under the plate, and directed it in the same direction that the lines in the marble backdrop were going.

Next, we have a little peek-a-boo napkin placement technique

Sometimes, all you need is a little corner of the napkin to sneak into the picture. It adds a layer, tells the story, and remains small enough that it doesn't detract from the subject. In the photo of this butternut squash Alfredo sauce, I sneaked the napkin into the front corner of the photo, adding color and texture contrast. However, while it is in the front of the photo, notice how I placed it in shadow so that it did not distract from the bright pasta. For these lentil crackers, the napkin peeks into the back of the photo instead. I used the soft blue to help contrast against the orange cracker. And for this grilled zucchini? I needed an extra layer, but didn't want to too much. So, I just peeked that napkin right on in there.

Now, let's use a napkin to fill some empty space!

The napkin placement in this photo is the perfect example of filling empty space. I intended to create a minimal high contrast shot, but the pea soup alone wasn't enough. So, I used the napkin creatively to complete the picture. The photo of these cherries are a mixture of both filling space and peeking in the corner. When I took the shot without the towel, it just seemed empty to me. So I filled the space with a towel that matched the backdrop, and just peeked it into the corner. It filled enough space that the photo felt balanced to me, and it added to the story, since the cherries have so much water on them. I feel like I am in the kitchen, having just washed them.

Now, let's use the napkin placement strategically to hide something in the scene!

You will need to stop drooling over this chocolate cheesecake for a moment to look behind it at that pale blue napkin. Because that napkin right there is hiding a horizon line I didn't like! Pretty sneaky, aye?

Finally, sometimes napkins are great to use as the backdrops themselves!

In this photo of these orange crumble cookies, I used the napkin almost in its entirety as the backdrop. And for these eggs, I created a table cloth!

Now, before I let you go...

Easy Light Plum Crisp, Get Ready to Devour it!

I want to add one more thing about the napkin styling and of course, I have to give you your homework! When it comes to the perfect crumple or the color that you use, or where specifically in the light that the napkin is placed, remember to think about the subject. When you look at the photo, do you keep getting drawn to the napkin? Has the way you placed it become distracting? For example, this plum crisp was a tough subject to shoot on its own. But the napkin placement took a lot of work. I kept having to adjust it. Sometimes it had too much light on it. Sometimes it had so many crinkles that I kept looking at those folds instead of the food. Something to think about for sure, the next time you place a napkin into your scene!

So, here is your homework for this week:

Take a photo using a napkin in the scene. Use the techniques provided above for the perfect placement. Then, post it on Instagram and tag @elizabethdworkinphotography and @masterfoodphotography with the hashtag, #photonapkinchallenge. This way, I can be sure to comment on it, provide feedback, and share it in my stories with the IG world! Happy shooting!