Food Blogging Tutorial: How to take a good picture of the dish

Discover insider tips and tricks to capture stunning photos of your dishes with this food blogging and photography tutorial

Giulia Scarpaleggia is a well-known name in the food industry, known for her passion for home-cooked meals and recipe writing. She is the founder of Jul's Kitchen, a website where she shares her love for Tuscan cuisine and provides readers with authentic and delicious recipes. Giulia's expertise in food writing has made her a popular figure in the industry, and her tutorials on recipe writing and food photography have helped many aspiring cooks and bloggers improve their skills.

In this tutorial, Giulia shares her tips on how to take a good picture of a dish, so that you can share your culinary creations on your blog or cookbook. If you enjoy this free tutorial, don’t miss her full course Food Writing: Share Home Recipes with The World.

1. Use Good Lighting
Lighting is a crucial element when it comes to taking a good photo of any subject, and food is no exception. Natural light is always the best option, so make sure to take your photos near a window. If natural light is not available, consider investing in good lighting equipment.

2. Use Props for Storytelling
Props are great for storytelling and can help make your photos more interesting. Think about the tools you need to use to eat the recipe, and select the right props accordingly. For instance, if you're photographing soup, choose a spoon instead of a fork.

3. Select the Elements You Want to Photograph
Decide which elements you want to photograph. It could be the final dish, a particular step of the preparation process, or just a picture of all the ingredients. Knowing what you want to photograph can help you create a clear and compelling narrative.

4. Use Ingredients that Look Fresh and Tasty
When taking photos that complement a recipe, the food should be the hero. Use fresh and appetizing ingredients to make your photos more appealing to the viewers. A picture that makes people hungry is always a winner.

5. Add a Pinch of Detail
Including details can make your photos more exciting and interesting. Adding fresh herbs like basil to a dish can add color and freshness to your final photo.

6. Use Recipe Ingredients in Your Photos
Stick to using ingredients that are already in the recipe when taking photos. Don't add anything extra that isn't in the recipe, as it can mislead your readers.

7. Save Some Ingredients for the Shoot
When you're cooking the recipe for the final photo, set aside some of the ingredients. Don't use everything up because you may need them to style the final photo. For instance, you may want to use a few whole tomatoes or fresh herbs to add visual interest.

9. Add a Natural Touch by Including Crumbs or Oil Drips
Sometimes, keeping things simple and natural is the best approach. Including a few crumbs or a drop of olive oil in your photos can make them look more natural and appealing.

Food writing has been a fundamental part of preserving culinary traditions across the globe. Whether you're planning to create a cookbook or start a food blog, taking good pictures of your dishes is essential. By using these eight tips, you can take compelling photos that will help you tell a story through your food narrative. Whether you're planning to make your own cookbook or start food blogging, following these tips will help you capture the essence of your cooking process and create visually appealing photos that will entice your audience.

You may also like:

- Sumayya Usmani’s course on cookbook writing.

- Adrian Mueller’s course on food photography with natural light.

- Jodi Moreno’s course on food styling and plating.