The Best Light for Delicious Food Photography

The Best Light for Food Photography? It Depends!

What’s the best light for food photography? If only there were a simple answer! The reality is, the best light depends entirely on the mood and story you want your images to tell. Light is a powerful tool that can completely transform the feel of a food photo, from soft and inviting to bold and dramatic.

In this edition of The Monthly Bite, we’re diving into the differences between soft light and hard light, how they impact food photography, and how you can achieve each with minimal equipment.

Soft vs Hard Light: What’s the Difference?

Soft light creates gentle, diffused shadows, giving a flattering and inviting look. It works beautifully for delicate subjects, pastel colour palettes, and food that should feel warm and comforting. Think freshly baked cakes, brunch spreads, or anything you want to look effortlessly elegant.

Hard light, on the other hand, produces strong, defined shadows and brings a crisp, energetic feel to images. It’s perfect for evoking bright summer days, high contrast scenes, or adding depth and texture to ingredients.

Putting Light to Work: A Recent Shoot with Afternoon Tea Box

I recently had the challenge of shooting all of Afternoon Tea Box’s holiday specials in one day. That meant capturing very different seasonal moods, all in the same on location studio setup. The solution? Using artificial lighting.

Mother's Day, Afternoon Tea Box - Munch Food Photography

For their Mother’s Day campaign, I used soft, diffused light to create a gentle and elegant atmosphere. The result? A beautifully flattering image with a sense of warmth and comfort.

Summer Specials, Afternoon Tea Box - Munch Food Photography

For their summer specials, I switched to a harder light source, creating crisp shadows and bright highlights. This mimicked natural sunlight, making the images feel fresh, vibrant, and full of energy.

By controlling the light, I was able to bring out the perfect seasonal feel without relying on the weather.

How to Achieve Different Lighting with Minimal Equipment

• For Soft Light: Use a diffuser (a white sheet, softbox, or even tracing paper) to soften harsh shadows and create a natural, even glow.

• For Hard Light: Use a direct light source (such as an undiffused lamp or a bare flash) at a strong angle to cast defined shadows and create contrast.

• For Versatility: Position your light source at different angles to see how the shadows change. A simple adjustment can completely alter the feel of the shot.

Need the Best Light for Your Food Photography?

There is no single best light for all food photography—it all depends on the story you want to tell. Whether you need soft, inviting images or bold, dramatic shots, lighting is key to setting the mood.

If you want your food to be captured in its best light (literally!), I’m available for bookings.

Get in touch, and let’s create stunning images that showcase your food at its very best.

Enquiries welcome!

See you again next month,

Matt

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