With Christmas right around the corner, many of us are making plans on hosting dinner parties to entertain family and friends. It’s time to bring out that festive décor and put some sumptuous food on the table. Bring out your camera too, and make sure you capture it all! We’ve got you sorted with some tips you might find useful when attempting to photograph the most important elements withing a table setting.
NATURAL LIGHT IS YOUR BEST FRIEND
Lighting is one of the most important factors here. Shots are much more appealing when taken in natural indirect window light rather than direct sunlight or artificial light from bulbs. This will provide the perfect natural glow.
This might not be applicable for dinner table settings, but during a lunch, make sure photos are taken early on and not when the sun goes down. Switch off any surrounding bulbs and headlights. You only want the natural effect.
TAKE CLOSE-UP SHOTS
Take close up shots of the menu, flowers, table centrepieces and food, exposing interesting details. For some more interesting shots, take close- ups of bites taken out of food to avoid shots from looking staged.
TAKE FULL TABLE SETTING SHOTS
Stand at a distance to get the whole tabletop in the scene, maybe even capturing the background and the event atmosphere if possible.
INCLUDE PEOPLE IN YOUR SHOTS
Take a few shots of guests at table during the event. You can capture images of guests in action; enjoying themselves at table, eating and drinking, and even later on when their plates and glasses are empty. These pictures will help in your telling of the story of the event.
© 2017 – VIDA Magazine – Philippa Zammit
