Foodie Photography: to Snap or Not to Snap?

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The art of food photography is a contentious game. In one corner, you have those that will happily let their food go cold and their 3-tier artisan gelato melt in the name of capturing a good image. In another sits the foodies that believe mealtime is about enjoying the work that's gone into a meal through taste and not about art. And then there are those who don't mind taking the odd snap if the food looks particularly pretty, but generally hold back from posting it on Instagram.

Snappers are happier

Whichever corner you sit in, you may be interested to know that new research shows that taking photos at mealtime enhances the eating experience, allowing you to enjoy it more. The study, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, found that those who take photos of their food enjoy heightened engagement in the experience of eating, leading to greater food joy. The researchers suggest that the mental process people adopt when taking photographs triggers this greater engagement, forcing attention to visual aspects. By photographing food, you're essentially delaying the desirable act of eating, building anticipation for what you're about to do. You're thinking about camera angles, lighting, the placement of forks, composition, and all this takes time. When you eventually do take that bite, it's that much sweeter.

In a way, it comes back to the age old saying of "good things come to those who wait". The idea of heightened engagement via food photography is nothing new and other studies, such as that published in the Journal of Consumer Marketing, also suggest that taking photos of your food each day can increase the way in which you savour ingredients. Researchers have noted that the effect could be especially useful for making "less than ordinary" food taste more exciting – in effect, "tricking" you into thinking your kale salad is more delicious than it really is.

To Instagram, or not to Instagram? That is the question

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So does this mean you should be Instagramming every meal? Well, that's up to you. The key thing to remember is that it's the art of taking the photo that makes a greater experience, not what you do with the photo after you've taken it. Whether you share it or keep the snap for yourself, the effect is the same. Your short ritual of delay-then-eat makes dining more delicious regardless.

Why post?

If the effect of snapping a photo is the same regardless of whether or not you post it, you might be wondering why 350 million food photographs are being shared on Facebook every day. Some of the most popular trending hashtags on social media about food are #foodie #yummy #food and #foodporn, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down. But just because it's trending – doesn't mean it's new. Think about centuries-old still life paintings of fruit bowls and feasts and you'll see that people have been capturing their food in more permanent ways for hundreds of years. Social media has merely made the phenomenon more visible and shareable.

For those that have Instagrammed their food and received a like or two, or even a share, you'll likely agree that it spurs you to do more. Having people react to something you made in your kitchen inspires you to create something even more wonderful and when regularly posting, it's amazing what you can discover along the way. As Melbourne food blogger I-Hua-Lim says, "Taking photos of food is such a great way for everyone to learn about different types of foods".

How to photograph food

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Many people believe that in order to take a great food shot you must have a sophisticated camera. This isn't always true – plenty of camera phones can today take a great snap. There are, however, a few tips to follow:

  • Try and refrain from using a flash, which will cause shadows on your food. This might mean wandering around the restaurant like a lost waiter looking for sunlight, but good light can make all the difference between a good and bad food photo.
  • Choose your props carefully, paying attention to plate, tablecloth/surface, cutlery and how the dish is plated. This might be out of your control in a restaurant, but at home you can afford to play around.
  • The best angle for your food snaps will depend on what food you're photographing. A tiered cake, for example, should be shot from a lower angle, whereas a dish with a strong graphic identity will look striking when photographed from above.
  • If you're tampering with the dish to get a great shot, honour any accident that may happen. Take the cutting of a slice of cake. Sometimes it's the crumbs to the side that make the photo more appealing.
  • The focus of the photograph needs to be the food, so minimise clutter like spoons, napkins or a busy background. The food is the star, but don't over zoom so much that you can no longer tell what it is.
  • If you're always on the hunt for your next food photograph, be prepared and carry a prop or two around with you. That way you're ready when you find yourself holding a fresh punnet of strawberries in your local market.
  • While a delay helps to build anticipation, too much of one will cause food to become stone cold, dry, and anything but appetising. Food looks its best in its first few minutes of plating, so don't snap for too long.
  • Hold your camera steady to avoid blurry photos caused by camera shake. You could also try using a faster shutter speed, raising your ISO, or utilising a tripod.

Say cheese!

The bottom line is that food photography, while essential for some and immaterial for others, is according to research, a good thing. The benefits of pausing to take a shot are many, and whether you choose to share your shot on Instagram, Facebook or any other social media platform, you can be sure you'll extend your enjoyment by pressing the capture button – plus you get to remember your favourite meals. So how about it? Try getting your camera out next time you sit down to eat and see just how good your food can taste.

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Mireille Kilgour

Mireille Kilgour

Mireille Kilgour has been an entrepreneur for 35 years in the hospitality sector. French born, she has been an accomplished business owner and operator for a number of Sydney venues. Leading the industry with high profile institutions such as Lamrock Café Bondi, she has endless passion for the industry, and now has the pleasure of supporting restaurants to fill their tables with the new Good Food Gift Card program.