Equip: 12 Essentials for Food Photographers
Apr 23, 2021
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What are some essentials for food photographers?
If you’ve tinkered with a Nikon or even a Polaroid camera, you may know a thing or two about photography. However, if you’ve never tried to capture a steaming steak or bubbling glass of champagne, you might be a little unsure what to get the food photographers in your life.
Well, your search for the perfect gift ends here. This comprehensive list has something for everyone — and every budget. Here are 12 essentials for food photographers:
1. Not Perfect Linen Napkins
These linen napkins are perfectly imperfect and add a beautiful texture to any foodie’s photographs. Made in Lithuania from medium-weight fabric, this set of eight gets softer and more supple with each wash. Choose from a variety of colors and three different sizes.
2. Now Designs Terracotta Pinch Bowls
If your favorite photographer feels like their shots are missing something, it’s probably a pinch bowl. This set of six will add a dash of color and interest to their photos without overwhelming the viewer. Each one has a glazed interior and matte terracotta exterior to complement a variety of aesthetics.
3. Tramanto Olive Wood Utensil 5-Piece Set
Salads, soups, and baking mixes will look even better with an olive wood utensil nearby. This set of five includes flat, curved, and slotted spatulas plus two different spoons. Coat them in food-grade mineral oil to keep them looking good as new.
4. Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet
Whether your foodie specializes in pizza or omelets, there’s nothing quite like making and photographing meals in a cast-iron skillet. This pre-seasoned skillet is perfect for grilling, sauteing, broiling, and braising all kinds of food. Choose from a handful of sizes or add a lid at an additional cost.
5. Anolon Pantryware White Marble Serving Board
If you have a bit more room in the budget, gift your photographer a marble serving board. Prep and serve cheeses, crackers, fruits, and more and take stunning pictures with it as a background. A teak wood accent adds a natural touch that pairs well with a wooden utensil set.
6. Vardagen 7 oz. Glasses
Finding the right-sized glass for food photos is incredibly difficult, as they have to be short enough to not vie for the foreground. Luckily, these seven-ounce glasses are small and simple, lending themselves well to taking pictures of everything from flapjacks to three-layer cakes.
7. Cocktails on Tap
Cocktails classify as food, right? Introduce your friend to a whole other side of food photography with this handy recipe book that features craft beers and craft cocktails. Put a hoppy twist on old classics and learn how to make more than 50 different drinks with tips from the pros.
8. Westcott 306 20-Inch 5-in-1 Reflector
Shadows can make food look extremely unappetizing, so many photographers will use a reflector to fix them. Highlight the subject and produce high-contrast images with this five-in-one reflector. The kit includes five different colors to cast the subject in a better light.
9. Neewer Wired Softbox Flash Light Diffuser
A diffuser can also reduce harsh photos by diffusing bright light into a soft glow. Neewer’s 40×40 cm diffuser lets the recipient directly connect bulbs, lamps, and slave flashes so they can choose their perfect level of softness. A portable design also allows for a quick and simple setup and tear down so they’re always ready to shoot food.
10. Tether Tools TetherPro USB 2.0
When you’re taking photographs of food, every minor detail is important. However, you can’t get a good idea of how clear or grainy a photo is on a camera screen. Bring images to the big screen for close scrutiny with a tether tool. This cable attaches the camera to the computer so they can make adjustments to light or composition in real-time.
11. Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100 Aluminum-Alloy Tripod Kit
Speaking of detail, capturing it takes a steady arm or, in this case, a tripod kit. Three-section legs allow the recipient to take photos at different heights without sacrificing stability. Meanwhile, a rotating center column permits 360 degrees of independent rotation so they can capture food from every angle.
12. Nikon AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm
Of course, they’ll also need a quality camera to place on their new tripod. If money is no object, consider gifting them a Nikon macro lens. This short telephoto lens features precise autofocus performance, a nine-blade diaphragm, and an extra-low dispersion element to aid in close-up shots.
Study the Subject
When it comes to fueling a food photographer’s passion, it’s often helpful to reflect on their portfolio and find common ground. Which subject do they tend to shoot most often? Once you can answer that question, buying a tool or other essentials for food photographers will be relatively easy.
