Sit with the window to one side of the plate — never behind you — shoot at 27-33 mm, f/5.6, and put the darker side of the room behind the dish. The lens focuses to 13 cm at the wide end and 35 cm at the long end, which is plenty for food.
A mode 27-33 mm f/5.6 1/60 s min DR200 0.24× max
The setup
| Control | Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Side light or backlight from a window; overhead lights off | Front light flattens food. Side light shows texture; backlight makes drinks glow. |
| Focal length | 27-33 mm for a single dish, 15 mm for a whole table | 15 mm distorts the shape of a plate at close range |
| Aperture | f/5.6, or f/8 if the whole dish must be sharp | At close distances depth of field is thin even at f/8 |
| Focus | AF-S single point on the nearest interesting thing | The front edge of the food, not the middle of the plate |
| Compensation | +2/3 to +1 for pale food on a white plate | The meter renders white as grey |
| Dynamic range | 200% | Window highlights clip easily on glass and glaze |
| Film simulation | PROVIA or REALA ACE; ASTIA for soft warmth | Velvia makes tomato sauce radioactive |
| White balance | AUTO, or about 5000 K locked for a consistent set | A whole meal shot at one value edits far faster |
Close-up technique
- Get the angle right first. Straight down suits flat plates and boards; 30 degrees suits bowls and layers; level suits drinks and anything with height.
- Move the camera, not the focus ring, for fine adjustment at close range. Focus once, then lean.
- Wipe the rim. A smear on a white plate is the only thing anyone will see.
- Subtract from the table. One prop, not five. Crop tight rather than tidying an entire table.
- For very small subjects — jewellery, insects, textures — 15 mm at 13 cm gives you 0.24× magnification. It is not macro, but it is more than most people expect.
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Food looks flat and grey | Front light, or overhead restaurant lighting | Move to the window, light from the side, +2/3 EV |
| Only part of the dish is sharp | Too close, aperture too wide | Step back slightly and use f/8 |
| Orange cast | Tungsten lamps mixed with daylight | Turn off the lamps, or lock about 3200 K |
| Camera hunts for focus | Below the minimum focus distance | Back off — 13 cm at wide, 35 cm at tele |
| Shiny highlights blown out | Glaze and glass reflecting a bright window | DR200 and -1/3 EV; change your angle a few degrees |