Food Photographer Guide To Choosing The Right Camera Angle

Choosing The Right Camera Angle

As a food photographer deciding on which camera angle to go with can depend on a number of things, such as other elements surrounding the main subject, background and current trends. One of the main deciding factors is often the shape of the food. That’s what I’m going to focus on here. In food photography there are two main angles that work well most of time. The 45 degree and the overhead or birds eye view. While some food set ups work well from both angles certain shapes lend themselves best to one or the other.

The 45 Degree Angle

Generally speaking I find foods with height and shape work best with the camera at 45 degrees or lower to the food set up. This way you can really capture the different curves and shapes to the food. This photograph of cupcakes taken from the 45 degree angle shows of the height of the sponge, and gives a suggestion of lightness. The creamy iced topping and brownie square looks inviting and the shapes are clearly defined.

Brownie Cupcakes

And this cake on a stand just wouldn’t look nearly as impressive if shot from above

Vanilla Tea Cake

Take a look these two shots of a rice dish. It looks OK when shot from above.

Summer Rice

Yet when shot at an angle it looks far more inviting.

Summer Rice

The Overhead Angle

Food with a flatter shape to it like this Masala Papadum suit a birds eye view.

Masala Papadum

This angle is also really useful when photographing a larger display of food with no particular emphasis on any one item.

There are always exceptions of course and sometimes a food item works well both ways.

Like this Treacle Tart; I like the way I can see the texture of the cake from the lower angle.

Treacle Tart

From above the geometry of all the different elements together make a beautiful picture.

Treacle Tart

Please leave your comments below. If you have any questions about camera angles I’d be happy to answer them for you.

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