The smartphone has changed the landscape of photography forever. Chefs have even altered the way they prepare and plate their food. Social media has become a valuable marketing tool for restaurants as diners happily snap away their meals and share their gastronomic delights with followers. Follow my simple tips and adjustments to make your food photography stand out from the crowd.
Smartphones have ushered in the widespread use of the overhead perspective. While smartphones excel at the overhead image, you should not be afraid to try and seek new and creative approaches to shooting food. A smartphone is an incredible tool but it is not without limitations.
One way to improve your photography is to examine your lens options. A few key pieces of equipment will improve your food shots and differentiate your work from everyone else.
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A way to stand out is by using add-on lenses. Inexpensive options are available, but to really up your game- and if quality is important to you -you should opt for better quality glass lenses.
After researching the many alternatives the I-pro system was the standout. It comes with a phone case that allows you to attach lenses to your phone. I-Pro has teamed up with a world-class lens manufacturer Schneider, known for their quality. The results are extraordinary. The I-Pro case will also allow you to mount your Phone on a standard tripod, a huge asset to any photographer. A small handle can also be purchased which doubles a lens carrier. Phone lenses are tiny and keeping track of them is important. I-Pro offers five lenses from a fisheye to macro.
Getting close to the food is preferable in food photography. Try to stay away from the wide-angle lenses. Instead, opt for a 2x telephoto and a macro lens.
The macro lens is fun to play with. Most smartphones offer a zoom but the image degrades when blown up. The macro lens provides an alternative perspective and, importantly, depth of field. The macro lens is shallow and will allow you to get in close to your subject. While the phone macro lens can’t compare to the digital SLR macro, it does offer a unique way to shoot food on your phone.
The telephoto lens works well. It allows you to get closer to your subject without having to crop the image tighter. It also created depth of field.
Phones will continue to dominate the photography landscape. Adding lenses will improve your food photography and bridge the gap between the phone and the digital SLR.
