Food Photography | Through the Macro Lens | Part 2

I recently curated an Instagram guide about textures and colour (mainly in food) that reminded me of this food macro series I started a while ago. Here’s part 2 of this ongoing project.

The subject: The underlying theme here is transparency. The thin slice of Meyer lemon or the glistening pomegranate seeds allow for this kind of play. After trying other options with what was available in the kitchen, those were my preference. The pomegranate seeds may not be well defined but the visual result has a similar vibe, looking fresh.

The setup: We are in lockdown right now and setting the lights is not the most convenient with the family around. So I played with the sunlight. I placed the slice in a transparent sandwich bag taped against the window to let the midday sunshine go through. This simple setup with the backlight lets the interesting details come through.

The styling: In macro food photography styling is minimal but details are important. The pattern of the lemon flesh is captivating in itself, yet pressed against the clear plastic bag, the lemon slice livens up with small air bubbles and juice showing. Similarly, the droplets of condensation from the pomegranate juice bring additional appeal while giving the illusion of a refreshing drink.

As the topic of food through the macro lens is a work in progress that needs further exploration, you can expect more coming soon.

View part 1 of this macro food photography series.

Food | Close and Personal | Part 1

Macro photography is a genre of its own. While photography is categorized by subject matter, macro photography is different because it is more about perspective than the subject in front of the lens. The close-up technique gives a new dimension to any subject matter. And the focus right here is on food.

The question then is why use macro food photography? Different reasons can justify the use of a macro lens. It is a bold way to present the subject matter. The close-up frame gives a different perspective and visual interest. And it can make for an engaging visual story when combined with standard food photography shots.

A powerful way to showcase a subject

Macro food photos can have a unique visual impact because they highlight the finer details and intricacies of the subject matter. The tight frame makes it feel intimate, with a new scale of reference where the smallest details are amplified. It can almost seem tactile with the textures magnified and the patterns enhanced. The colours fill the entire frame at once creating eye-catching visuals. The most common food is given a different outlook and visual appeal. The ordinary cabbage leaf is rendered as a beautiful natural wonder.  

The points of difference 

We tend to overlook what we are used to seeing often and pay more attention to what seems unusual. Macro food goes beyond the conventional way food is portrayed. The close-up perspective is the reason why it creates visual interest and a sense of novelty. It is important to note that macro photography works best with a single subject matter: ingredient or preparation -such as condiment or sauce- rather than a dish that would add visual complexity to the tight frame. And while you do need a macro lens to produce macro photographs, using a macro lens does not systematically equates to macro photos. When elements and details are magnified at or beyond their real proportions is what makes a macro shot.

Visual storytelling

The tight crop and focus on a single subject matter almost disqualify macro food photos from the storytelling perspective. Yet they evolve into strong visual elements when paired or combined with traditional food photos. 

For example, this food story was built by including a macro food image as part of a diptych. The macro photo helps emphasize a particular aspect and strengthen the overall narrative.

Macro food photography is a specific technique of food photography that may be underused and underrated, yet a valid approach to showcase products for particular segments of the food industry. 

Check part 2 of this macro food photography series