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There is a well-known adage among chefs, “You eat with your eyes first.” This means that people tend to consume foods that look delicious, colorful, and pleasing.

And that’s one of the reasons for the growing popularity of food photography. 

However, using the right equipment can make all the difference when it comes to food photography. 

So, if you are looking for the equipment needed for food photography, then this guide will be ideal for you.  

From the ideal camera to lighting, color correction tools, tripods, and more, we'll cover every basic thing you need to achieve professional food photography in this guide. 

So, without any further ado, let’s explore what equipment do I need for food photography. 

1. Camera & Lenses

Capturing food photography starts with the right camera. If you are just starting photography, you can use your mobile camera at first to practice and sharpen your skills. 

But once you learn the basics, you can go for a good camera for professional food photography. Right now, we are using the Nikon b600, as this camera works great for food photography. To know more about its features and benefits, you can read this Nikon b600 review from GottaPics.

2. Tripods & Accessories

Photography with a tripod allows you to work in low light conditions without worrying about lens shake. In fact, tripods allow you to be more intentional about shooting, i.e., you can plan ahead of time how your shot will be set up and frame it exactly how you want.  

Furthermore, for above-the-ground shots of your kitchen or dining table, you can also use a tripod arm extender. This equipment lets you shoot from overhead without asking for any other’s help. 

3. Lighting kit

For food photography, natural light is the preferred light source for beginners. Still, a lighting kit comes in handy for food photography if you're in the kitchen or anywhere else that doesn't have enough natural light and for more flexibility. 

So, consider having a set of LED lights or strobe lights with a stand and filtering umbrella to get stable color output, bright images, versatility across scenes, and above all, professional quality food photography.

4. Backgrounds

The background is the foundation of any type of photography, and food photography is no exception. 

The counter in your kitchen or dining table can be a good place to start as a beginner. You can then slowly switch out more options as per your needs and preferences. 

For example, you can have a nice collection of backdrops like Woodville, foam core, marble pastry board, art paper, subway tile, etc.

5. Color Correction Card

Sometimes you will find that your food photos look unnatural, which makes the photos less appetizing. To avoid this, you can use color-temperature hacks like the color correction card. 

Generally, these cards are affordable and let you capture high-quality images in JPEG, film, digital format, or RAW. When using these cards, simply set the white balance manually and see how your food photographs come to life deliciously.

6. Styling Tools

To make the food photographs stand out, you will need some styling tools like rolling carts, tweezers, pipettes, squeeze, spray bottles, paint brush, sheet pans, dulling spray, straws, sticky tack, double stick tape, clamps, peelers, and others.  

7. Props And Ingredients

Everyday kitchen utensils such as wooden cutting boards, cooling racks, bowls, little spoons, serving utensils, cake stands, measuring cups, pinch bowls, vintage kitchen tools, linens, napkins, and others help create settings that make your shot more dynamic.

Additionally, a final touch or garnish with ingredients like flake salt, sprinkles, sugar cubes, microgreens, glycerine, citric acid, parchment paper, and others makes all the difference. 

FAQ

What Should You Not Do In Food Photography?

There are a few common mistakes that you should avoid, such as clutter or distracting background, having too much symmetry, too much natural lighting, using handheld cameras, etc.  

How Do I Get Started In Food Photography?

As a beginner, you just need to keep taking photographs under natural lights, shoot every angle possible with each lens you have as well as shoot every aperture. Yes, it will take time, but the result will be pleasing.  

What Photo Editing Software Is Needed To Edit Food Photography?

Once you are done with the photography, you can use Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, or Capture one pro to edit the photos and Spyder to monitor the color combination. 

How Do Professionals Edit Food Photos?

To edit food photos to perfection, all you need is to edit the lighting, enhance the photos with levels, add some color with a tint, create a focal point, and add vintage. 

Conclusion

By having the right gear, you can capture high-quality photos that reflect your culinary creations in a professional manner. 

So if food photography is something you are interested in pursuing, this guide covers the basic equipment and what it can do for your photography. 

We hope you found this “what equipment do I need for food photography” guide helpful to start with your food photography.  

However, in the end, what matters the most is your creativity and how you will apply the lightning and compositions.