Dark Mood Food Photography Blog
This blog post is all about the mood that light can form to create a picture. If you have read any of my previous food photography posts, I also recommend using natural light for food photography, as this will give the food more natural tones/shadows, which equals a realistic picture.
During this blog, I will cover the way that I set up a dark mood food picture and the key to this type of styling is to use a dark background and props.
The main lighting technique for dark mood photography is to use natural lighting and use blocks or boards to block the amount of light falling within the frame for your food setup.
The main lighting technique for dark mood photography is to use natural lighting and use blocks or boards to block the amount of light falling within the frame for your food setup.
Here are some examples of my latest dark mood photography
Both images have been taken with similar lighting setups, that I have mentioned above.
Here are some key tips to consider:
Use a dark/black background
Find darker coloured props and non-reflective props
Remember to keep to a composition rule when styling and setting up your own picture.
Use a wide aperture for depth of field
Decide which angle to shoot from, either side or from above (flat lay)
Use a light source, that can be positioned at an angle to the object or bounced or spill through two dark boards.
Let’s consider the lighting position and set up for this type of photography with either a window light or an artificial lighting source.
Contrast Is Key - Did you know that dark and moody food photography comes from a technique originally developed by Renaissance-era painters? It’s a technique that is called chiaroscuro that works by emphasising the contrast between light and dark.
‘the chiaroscuro technique, is a method that uses shadows and a single light source to create depth and drama.’
For my own dark mood photography, I use directional lighting and to setup this type of lighting, I use two pieces of black foam to direct the lighting across the frame. By placing the light to the side and letting the light spill through the foam card, I can direct the light to the food dish and I have the option to use reflectors to fill in shadows, where required.
REMEMBER - Your main goal in dark food photography is reducing the amount of fill light that you reflect around the subject. You can bonze your fill light with reflectors around your set-up or keep the shadows.
Here are three areas to help darken your image and control the depth of field.
· ISO
· Aperture
· Timer
As these images are dark, start with an ISO of 100 for this low light picture. Use a wide aperture for depth of field, use a tripod and set your camera on a timer to prevent any camera shake.
Have you ever set your camera timer before?
You can set the limit of the timer to 2 seconds, 5 seconds or 10 seconds when using this technique and for food photography, I would recommend 2 seconds. These seconds relate to the time it takes for you to press the shutter button and remove your hand away from the camera. Instead of using the camera timer, you can use a remote trigger to take each picture or use your phone app to trigger your camera.
Lastly, once your set up with your lighting and timer, keep the shadows for the mood and direct the viewer’s eye, this will help create the perfect dark mood picture.
After reading my thoughts, processes and points, I hope that this has given you a small insight into how to take your own light/bright pictures
Or check out my food photography page and let’s take some wonderful food pictures for your company.
