Bite into these food photography tools

Good lighting is the secret sauce for food photography. After all, you need a well-lit space to capture crisp images that reveal the beautiful colors of the dish. However, you can’t rely on sunshine alone, especially since restaurants tend to be on the dark side. (Candlelit dinners are great for date night — not so much for photo sessions.) That’s where lighting equipment comes in!

Panel Mini by Lume Cube

Mini LED light panels offer powerful and adjustable lighting in a bite-sized package. The Panel Mini by Lume Cube is about the same size as your restaurant rewards credit card and perfectly illuminates any shot once it’s attached to your camera.

Pros:

• 3200k warm – 5600k cool color temp adjustability
• Compatible with Sony, Nikon, Canon, Fuji, and Panasonic cameras
• Offers discrete lighting for restaurant photography

Cons:

• The battery only lasts two hours on max power
• Less control than a full light kit

Price: $59.99

Rating: 4.9/5

Foldio3 LightBox

Light boxes are an inexpensive (and foolproof) way to capture studio-quality shots of your home-cooked meals. Simply slide your plate into the box, turn it on, and shoot. Now, how easy is that, Ina Garten? The Foldio3 LightBox is a great option to consider for first-timers.

Pros:

• Dimmable triple LED lighting system
• Foldable design that is easy to store and transport
• Creates the best lighting every time

Cons:

• Limited to black or white background
• Have to put food inside the box to photograph
• Too big to bring into a restaurant

Price: $139.00-$359.00

Rating: N/A

Flashpoint

Full light kits provide the level of control needed to churn out drool-worthy food photos every time. They typically include lights, softboxes, adjustable stands, and connectors. Flashpoint offers a two-light kit that is made for professionals on a mission (to eat).

Pros:

• Complete camera system real-time auto-sensing for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, Pentax, Panasonic, and Olympus
• Travel-friendly design
• Bi-Color LED Modelling Light ranging from 3000K to 6000K

Cons:

• Expensive price point
• Lighting techniques are difficult to learn
• Lots of equipment to store

Price: $1,462.85

Rating: 5/5

You’ve probably noticed that some colors are just more appetizing than others. After all, no one wants to eat gray food! Color correction cards can help turn those gray shots into great shots by making it easy to find the proper white balance, yielding bold and vibrant images. Here are three options that will fit any photographer’s needs and budget.

Pixel Perfect Color Correction Card

The Pixel Perfect Color Correction Card is about as basic as you can get, but there is something to be said for simple! This easy-to-use card is perfect for beginners looking to upgrade their images, and it covers all the bases.

Pros:

• Includes 24 standard colors and gray target
• Affordable
• Includes free Adobe correction software

Cons:

• Paper construction
• No case
• Small size

Price: $10.99

Rating: 4/5

X-Rite ColorChecker Card

The X-Rite ColorChecker Card is perfect for the at-home food photographer looking to upgrade their studio setup. This card ensures accurate color balance every time.

Pros:

• Can use to create color and white balance profiles
• Compatible with ColorChecker Calibration
• Larger card size

Cons:

• Not weatherproof
• A more expensive price point compared to competitors
• Does not include software

Price: $80.00

Rating: 4.5/5

Calibrite ColorChecker Passport Photo 2

The Calibrite ColorChecker Passport Photo 2 is the latest in color balance technology. (Basically, it is the cronut of the camera world.) If you are a professional food photographer, this upgrade is a must.

Pros:

• Includes gray, white, classic, and enhancement balance targets
• Sturdy design with a waterproof case
• Includes Color Calibration software

Cons:

• More expensive
• Currently only available for pre-order

Price: $119.00

Rating: N/A

The costs of photography equipment can add up quickly, which can be discouraging for newbie foodies looking to get a taste of the food photography craft. Don’t worry, though. You already have everything you need for a great shot in your pocket — your phone! Phone cameras are quickly catching up to the professional level. Here are some of the options leading the way.

iPhone 13 Pro Max

iPhone 13 Pro Max offers the latest in camera design, including next-level hardware and processors that capture every image in stunning detail.

Pros:

• The ultra-wide camera can focus at just 2 cm and capture epic macro photos
• Night mode is perfect for low light situations
• The New Photographic Styles feature applies your preferred tone and warmth settings to your photos automatically

Cons:

• Expensive price point
• Less versatility than a DSLR camera

Price: Starting at $1,099

Rating: N/A

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra includes impressive features like 8K video recording, 100x spatial zoom, and a 108MP lens. It’s no wonder why this phone is a go-to for Android users.

Pros:

• Includes four rear cameras and one 40MP selfie camera
• Sharpest zoom possible
• New intelligent battery

Cons:

• Only a small camera upgrade from the previous model
• Distorted detail on close-up crops

Price: Starting at $799.99

Rating: 4.8

After you get the shot and eat the food, it’s time to edit the photos. Mastering the editing process will turn up the heat on your images. Here are some apps (the phone kind) and software to get you started.

Snapseed

Snapseed is a free smartphone app that offers everything you need to touch up your pictures, including brush tools, color adjustments, and preset filters.

Pros:

• Free to use
• Comes with professional-looking presets and filters
• Can edit everything from RAW files to camera phone shots

Cons:

• Can be difficult to learn
• Limited to editing on your phone

Price: Free

Rating: 3.7/5

Adobe Lightroom

Adobe Lightroom allows you to edit on your phone or desktop, providing presets and all the tools the professionals use.

Pros:

• Can edit photos on multiple devices
• Built-in file management system
• Easy to learn

Cons:

• Not suitable for adding graphic design elements
• Recurring pricing

Price: Starting at $9.99/month

Rating: N/A

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop has the most versatility, enabling you to edit and remix your photographs into pretty much anything you can imagine.

Pros:

• Can bundle with Lightroom and save on monthly expenses
• Unlimited editing potential
• Includes graphic design tools

Cons:

• More expensive
• Difficult to learn

Price: $20.00/month

Rating: N/A

If you’re photographing home-cooked recipes in your kitchen, sooner or later, you are going to get tired of seeing the same background in all of your pictures. Hyper-realistic printed backdrops can transform your space with marble, wood, and tile-look surfaces in seconds.

Ink and Helm

Ink and Helm prints stylish backdrops that you can hang up and change out whenever you feel inspired. (Plus, this is a way more affordable option than monthly kitchen renovations.)

Pros:

• Come in a variety of styles
• Can be printed on food-safe material
• Storage tubes are included

Cons:

• Must be hung and require clamps or a backdrop armature
• May have up to a week-long production timeline

Price: Starting at $19.95

Rating: N/A

Replica Surfaces

Replica Surfaces makes interlocking backdrops that can be used to create over 150 different combinations. Base plates and backgrounds lock together in seconds to create your own mini-studio space.

Pros:

• Rigid and lightweight construction
• Stain-resistant
• Hyper-realistic designs

Cons:

• More expensive
• Limited sizing

Price: Surfaces start at $77.00 each

Rating: N/A

Sometimes, side dishes are the best part of a meal because they add that little something extra that leaves you wanting more. Props are the side dishes of food photography. Elements like dishes, glassware, flowers, and tablecloths add the finishing touch that sets your images apart. You can even get creative with inexpensive props. For example, you can spice up a vanilla shot of ice cream with some fun and colorful sprinkles. Here are some staples to get you started.

White dishes

Let the food speak for itself. White plates make for a cleaner photo where the food can take center stage. This 12-piece dinner set from Pottery Barn has everything you need.

Pros:

• Minimalist design
• Includes a combination of dishes and bowls
• Microwave and dishwasher safe

Con:

• You will want to eat off them every night!

Price: $79

Rating: N/A

Cutting board

Do it for the ‘gram! Cutting boards have become staples in Instagram foodie shots. Just check out the #charcuterie hashtag, and you will see thousands of wooden planks gracing scrumptious photographs. This cutting board duo from Williams Sonoma is a must-have accessory!

Pros:

• Beautiful neutral design
• Two is better than one!

Cons:

• Can stain
• Needs upkeep

Price: $29.95

Rating: 3.7/5

While food photography is fun, it comes with a few risks. After all, restaurants and kitchens are busy settings where accidents can happen. Protect yourself with Thimble’s Photographer Insurance that works to cover liability exposure.

And don’t forget about your photography gear! The last thing you want is to be caught crying over spilled milk when it splashes all over your new camera. So make sure your equipment is covered with Thimble’s Camera Insurance, and save the spilled for cookies.

Choose from coverage by the job, month, or year. Just click “get a quote” or download the Thimble mobile app, answer a quick set of questions, receive your quote, and purchase within minutes.

Pros:

• Made just for you
• Easy to apply
• Affordable rates

Con:

• We still haven’t found any!