Most importantly, dark and moody makes the hero stand out and draws our eyes in to the main event.So when setting up your dark & moody image, make sure it's not dark & darker and that is goes above and beyond on emotion and atmospheric drama. When new members join my Food Photography Academy a common theme of what they want to be able to achieve is to nail a dark and moody food image. So here are a few pointers on what works and what doesn't. Embracing the Shadows: Dark and m

Tripods are such a valuable part of food photography and go unrewarded until we see a very good, or.... very blurry image! How it performs (based on what you shoot) Whether you are photographing at eye level, 45 degrees or creating a flatlay you need to find the best option for you. Eye level / 45 degrees - any solid tripod with smooth height adjustment. Flatlays - horizontal centre column = easiest, inverted camera = works but fiddly, overhead arm = best if you shoot this a

When styling feels too perfect, you can see it. Everything is placed just so. Nothing moves. Nothing feels touched. Natural styling brings movement, shape and realism into your image while keeping it intentional. What this looks like: A napkin with shape A spoon that feels placed Crumbs that sit where they should A drizzle with movement Ingredients that support the dish A set that feels relaxed Natural styling still needs structure. You are shaping the scene with: • Balance •

Shiny cutlery, crockery, and props give you a run for your money in food photography, often detracting from the main hero (the food) in the shot. Here are the main reasons why I steer clear of shiny objects: Reflections and Glare Distracting Reflections: Shiny surfaces reflect light sources, the light pings about all over the place. It also reflects the photographer, especially when they are wearing any other colour than black. Lastly it reflects other elements in the env