Question 1

What is the best lens for Contemporary French Food Photography?

Accepted Answer

In our experience, a 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens is the gold standard. It allows you to get incredibly close to the food to capture textures like the crumb of a baguette while providing a beautiful bokeh that blurs the background. If you're working in a tighter space, a 50mm prime is a versatile second choice.

Question 2

Should I use natural or artificial light?

Accepted Answer

While natural light is beautiful, it is inconsistent. We prefer using a high-quality strobe with a large 48-inch octabox. This setup allows us to mimic natural window light regardless of the time of day, ensuring that a multi-dish shoot has a unified look from start to finish.

Question 3

How do you keep French sauces looking fresh during a long shoot?

Accepted Answer

Sauces are notoriously difficult because they skin over quickly. We recommend 'undercooking' the sauce slightly so it retains a glossier finish, or using a small kitchen torch to gently reheat the surface right before the shutter clicks. Sometimes, we even use a thin layer of neutral oil on top to maintain that signature sheen.

Question 4

Does AI photography replace the need for a food stylist?

Accepted Answer

AI is a powerful tool for generating concepts or filling in backgrounds, but it currently lacks the nuance required for high-end French plating. While AI can simulate a sauce, it often fails to understand the 'physics' of how a real reduction clings to a protein. For top-tier Contemporary French Food Photography, a human stylist is still essential for authenticity.

Question 5

What colors work best for backgrounds in this style?

Accepted Answer

We lean toward 'cool neutrals.' Dove grey, muted navy, or charcoal stone work exceptionally well. These colors recede visually, allowing the warm tones of cooked meats and golden pastries to become the focal point. Avoid bright or busy patterns, as they distract from the chef's hard work.

Question 6

How many photos do I really need for my restaurant?

Accepted Answer

Quality always beats quantity. For a contemporary brand, we recommend starting with 10 'hero' shots of your signature dishes, 5 atmospheric shots of the dining room, and 3 'action' shots of the kitchen. This core set of 18 images provides enough variety for a website and a month of social media content.

Question 7

Is vertical or horizontal orientation better for food?

Accepted Answer

Currently, vertical (9:16) is the most requested because of the dominance of mobile browsing and Instagram Stories. However, we always recommend shooting 'plates-out' (wider) to allow for cropping flexibility. A well-composed vertical shot can emphasize the height of a stacked dessert or a tall glass of wine.

Mastering Contemporary French Food Photography