Composition is one of the three major aspects of photography. However, lots of beginner’s struggle with composing a food scene.
Unlike lighting that is a creative science, composition and storytelling is an art. It is something that cannot necessarily be learned, but needs to be felt. It is about listening to and trusting your instinct.
If you look closely, you would usually notice when something feels or looks off, and where to make slight adjustments. Sometimes it is about moving your camera a little to the side, going a little closer or adding or removing a prop.
Composition is all about creating or eliminating tensions and intentionally creating a balanced or unbalanced frame.
We will talk more about composition and styling in later posts/workshop, but, for now, I want to go over how I composed this apple tart scene.
My apple tart image started like this.
An apple tart on a brown parchment paper. This was my original idea as I thought to go simple. But I felt nothing. There was no story to it; so I built it up slowly.
I added an extra apple tart.
My recipe made just enough for two. This made more sense than using just the one apple tart.
Now, we have built up the story. Are we sharing an apple tart with a friend, a lover, family or is it for one?
To the right of the image is a leather bound item that fits the monochromatic colour scheme. It is unclear to the viewer what the item is- it could be a folder, a book, an envelope?
Another element was added- 2 small cups filled with brandy. The recipe called for brandy, so adding some Calvados enhanced the setting.
Also, the two cups confirmed it was a setting for two people.
The journal is clearly shown and we see more of the table and white tablecloth.
To stick to a monochromatic theme, I added more parchment paper to cover the white table cloth. The whiteness and pattern of the cloth overpowered the simplicity of the tart.
Remember the eyes are drawn to the brightest part of an image. If your subject is delicate or has a muted colour, be careful that the setting and props don’t overpower the subject.
I swapped the position of the two tarts as I preferred the look of the slightly burnt, jagged tart to the smaller one. It looked visually interesting to me.
The journal has the key pointing at the tart too. This was not a lucky accident. It leads the viewer’s eye to the subject- akin to a finger pointing.
However, in the second image, I rested the key on journal so it’d be less distracting.
This was my final image.
I added a canvas backdrop (hand-painted) to show more of the setting.
Did minimal editing in Lightroom. I try to capture an almost perfect picture in camera than rely on editing in post.
Now we have taken this image from this to this
I think it is miles better given where we started!
We have gone from a lonely tart on a table to a picture that tells a story of two dear people, having an apple tart, while engaging in something quiet and meditative.
Symbolically apples signify the fall of man, femininity, beauty, redemption. Baking the apples further alludes to indulgence and refinement. The cup of brandy reflects giving in to earthly pleasures but this vice is balanced out by the size of the cups and the leather bound journal.
Overall, the image looks and feels grounded although the subject is sweet indulgence.
Tips for styling and composing
- Avoid crowding the frame. Does the item make sense to your story. A simple way to fill the frame is to use the ingredients used in creating the food.
- Lock in the angle you would like to shoot the picture and understand that different camera angles and perspective conjure different meanings.
- Move the props and surrounding items until your eyes feel at peace with the image. Trust me, you’d know
- Seek inspiration and copy! copy! copy! Every master artist copied from people they admired before finding their style. So get copying and do not feel guilty.
- Always think in “and then” For example, I am baking an apple tart..and then…I will eat it with my dear friend…and then…we will listen to classical musical while sipping on brandy…..and then….I’d journal….and then we’d go to bed.
The more you shoot the more refined your eyes become. Almost every detail is intentional, but you will notice and appreciate ‘happy accidents’ as you progress.
It takes time and you would look back at previous images and wonder what you were thinking when you shot it.
Let me know what you think!
Love,
Chisom.
Team Nrinka 