5 Tips for Photographing Brown Food like a Pro

Brown food can be a real challenge for food photographers and bloggers. It's not the most aesthetically appealing color, and it can be difficult to make it look appetizing. However, with a few simple tricks and techniques, you can make those brown dishes look like the most delicious things on the planet. Below we share five tips for photographing brown food like a pro so that you can capture those dishes in all their glory.

1. Play around with the Lighting: The proper lighting can make all the difference in how your brown food looks in photos. Using a diffuser can soften the shadows and give your food a more appetizing look. You can experiment with different angles, side lighting, or backlighting (one of my favorites) to get the right mood and texture. Hard light adds more of a wow factor to your dish and highlights the details. Don't forget to play around with the angels of your light and the direction of your camera. Remember what story you are trying to tell and go from there.

2. Props and Backgrounds: A great way to enhance the look of your brown food is by choosing the right props and background. Using complementary colors in the scene and layering with other warm colors adds to the overall feel. Rustic wood, dark or neutral colors, and vintage textiles can all complement brown food beautifully. You can also add elements such as herbs, spices, and garnishes that provide texture, color, and a pop of freshness to your dishes.

3. Focus on Texture: Brown food can lack texture, which is why it's essential to showcase the texture you have. For example, if you're photographing chocolate cake, you can show the crumbly texture of the cake or the smooth creaminess of the frosting. Adding drips of frosting or caramel, or even a shake of cocoa powder will add texture to your dish if it's feeling lacking.

4. Keep it Simple: Simplicity is key when photographing brown food. You want to avoid cluttered backgrounds or props that could distract from the main focus – your dish. Less is more, so remove any elements that don't add value to the photo, and keep the composition simple and clean.

5. Edit your images: Lastly, editing your photos can help you get the perfect shot. By playing with the brightness, contrast, and saturation, you can bring out the colors and textures of your dish. Lean into those highlights and bump up the texture and clarity. You can also try different filters and effects to create a mood or theme that suits the dish.

Photographing brown food doesn't have to be difficult, and with the right techniques and equipment, you can create stunning images that showcase the beauty of your dish. By playing around with lighting, props, backgrounds, texture, and editing, you can create an image that will leave everyone's taste buds tingling. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep experimenting and trying out new techniques until you find what works best for you. Happy photographing!