Question 1

What is the best lens for Chinese Brunch Photography?

Accepted Answer

We recommend a 50mm or 85mm prime lens for most shots. These focal lengths allow you to get close enough to capture fine details without the distortion often found in wide-angle lenses. For extreme close-ups of dumpling textures, a 100mm macro lens is our preferred choice for creating that professional, high-end look.

Question 2

How do I handle the yellow color cast from restaurant lighting?

Accepted Answer

In our experience, the best way to handle this is by manually setting your white balance. If you're shooting in a typical restaurant environment with warm lights, shift your settings toward the cooler side (4000K-4500K) or use a gray card to ensure the whites of the plates and the steam remain neutral rather than yellow.

Question 3

Can AI really create realistic Chinese Brunch Photography?

Accepted Answer

AI is an incredibly powerful tool for generating backgrounds, lighting, and general dish arrangements instantly. However, we must be honest: AI can sometimes struggle with the precise number of pleats on a dumpling or the exact way chopsticks should hold food. We find it best used as a hybrid tool to enhance or generate high-quality concepts quickly.

Question 4

How can I make my photos look less 'flat'?

Accepted Answer

The secret lies in shadows. We often see beginners trying to eliminate all shadows, but shadows provide depth. Use a single light source from the side to create 'directional' light, which highlights the curves of the food. Adding a small bounce card on the opposite side can fill in the shadows just enough to keep the detail visible.

Question 5

What are the most 'photogenic' Chinese brunch dishes?

Accepted Answer

We've found that multi-colored items like spinach-skin dumplings, vibrant red rice noodle rolls, and crispy golden puff pastries tend to perform best. These items provide high color contrast against traditional white plates or bamboo steamers, making them pop on a digital screen.

Question 6

How do you keep the food looking fresh during a long shoot?

Accepted Answer

Speed is key, but we also use tricks like brushing a light coating of vegetable oil on dumplings to keep them from drying out. For soups and sauces, we recommend adding them at the very last second to prevent the noodles or dough from absorbing the liquid and becoming soggy.

Mastering Chinese Brunch Photography for Digital Menus