Last Updated on April 30, 2021
If you are looking to take cake photographs that make people’s mouth water then you are in the right place! Food photography is an art but there are some tips and techniques that you can use right now to get better cake images.
What Is The Goal Of Cake Photography?
The goal of cake photography has always been to make people go crazy for your cake, but what does that really mean? Shoot those beautiful cakes without your image being ruined by unflattering shadows and angles.
People are not able to see the actual cake on the plate so you want to capture images that are so good the viewer can almost taste it. You want people to look at your cakes and say “I want that! That is so delicious!”
Tips For Photographing Tips
Set up your cake
Take your time to get the cake set up on the stand or plate. Make sure it is centered and angled in a way that looks appetizing to others. After you are happy with how it looks, take a few pictures and inspect them on your viewfinder before making final adjustments.
Remove Unattractive Things
If there is anything unattractive in the background of your image, remove it. That is not to say that you can’t have things hanging around in the picture. Only use elements that will enhance your cake, not distract from it.
Use Spot Metering
Spot metering is a setting where you can focus on a small area and have the camera automatically adjust to that area for exposure. This makes it very easy to get your cake exposed correctly and allows you more control over your image.
Get Your Light Close
If you are taking pictures of cakes, it is important that your lighting be close. The further away you are from the cake, the more likely your image will be underexposed and/or over exposed.
Avoid using flash to take your pictures, it can ruin the look of a beautiful cake. If you have flash on your camera, get a flash stand that has adjustable feet so that it can be farther away from the cake without ruining the exposure. Better yet, use natural lighting from a big window. This almost always will lead to a better finished photo.
Use The Right Gear
A good food camera will help you achieve professional quality photographs. You will also want a lens that is geared for food photography. Get a lens that will give you the ability to zoom in on your subjects. Ultrawides and zooms are best for cakes.
Use A Tripod
A tripod is a very important photography tool. It allows you to capture photos of the perfect angle and helps to ensure your photo stays focused on your subject. Camera shake can cause blurry images and the best way to avoid this is by using a quality tripod for every shot.
Take Close Ups
Focus in on particularly beautiful aspects of your cake for a powerful image that will leave people wanting your cake. Shoot from different angles to show off all the details of your cake.
Use A Background
A background can make or break an image. You would be surprised how much your tone and mood changed when shooting a close up of your cake against a distracting background. A plain white background works best, but if you have one that’s ok as long as it is clean and simple.
Edit Your Images
You will want to edit your images after you have taken them so that they look their best before being shared online. As a general rule, you should always edit your photos before posting.
Bottom Line
Taking excellent images of your cakes is going to require some work on your part, but it will be worth it in the end. Not only will you be able to make money off of these shots, but you will also be able to show off your hard work by sharing these images with friends and family.
Success with cake photography all comes down to following proper techniques and using the right equipment. If you follow the steps above, you will be able to produce professional quality photographs in almost no time at all.