Whether you’re new to the food industry or have been in the business for quite some time, understanding how food photography works is a plus point for every foodpreneur. Deciding on which composition techniques you’re looking for will save you time and effort in content creation, especially with the multiple marketing platforms we own today. Some may fit perfectly for social media while others can only be used in a more traditional media, such as flyers or banners.
But, what is composition, really?
For a start, composition is like a puzzle piece where each element within the frame creates a guideline for the viewer’s eye towards the main object of the photograph. It’s the magic recipe which can turn a regular product into something visually attractive. Other than the classic techniques such as the golden ratio and the rule of thirds, there are other creative ways to add greater interest and suggest a more complex narrative to your photos.
Action/Movement
One of the most effective techniques to trigger excitement and wow the viewers is by capturing action/movement midair. Either it’s sprinkling some flour or pouring a sauce, this technique requires a higher skill and technical knowledge due to its complexity--resulting in an image that pops out from the rest. This composition is perfect if you’d like to catch the viewer’s attention, such as in ads or social media posts.
Negative Space
This composition purposely leaves an empty space within the frame for content purposes or copies. Therefore, it is usually the chosen composition for posters or menus as you can add long texts and paragraphs without worrying about obscuring or blocking the objects. It can still be used as a regular content, especially if you’re looking for a clean minimalistic look.
Lines
By placing other objects in the frame in a row or a line will unconsciously create arrows that lead the viewer’s eye towards the main object. To make the photograph more interesting, we usually position the objects diagonally instead of placing them vertically or horizontally. This composition can be used for all kinds of content where you’d like to highlight the main object.
Framing
Commonly used for dishes that are in liquid form, ingredients and other properties are placed around the main object to provide a hint of what the dish is about. Even without letting you know explicitly, our minds will make the connection automatically. For instance, a green liquid is put in a glass like in the photo below, without the visual cue of the avocado fruit, you might think it’s a kale juice or a broccoli. This particular composition will be powerful for social media usage where you need to send your message to the customer mainly through visual cues.
Patterns
Repeating the same placement of objects in a pattern is an intriguing way to highlight your dish. The basic layout is a 9 grid, however there is flexibility to play around with this composition as long as there’s a repeated object or shape or color within the frame. You can trigger further curiosity by “ruining” the pattern or turning it into a GIF. Because of it’s fun approach, this composition will be powerful for social media channels.
Rest assured, our team will assist you from content conceptualization to execution and post-production. FOTTO is here to answer your needs for impactful visuals to give your customers that extra push in purchasing your products. Get your best quote today and start creating impactful visuals for your business with us.
