By Martha Boff, RDN, Owner, Oyster Bae in Denver, CO
With social media and digital platforms playing a significant role in how food is consumed and shared, understanding the fundamentals of food styling is essential for recipe developers. Raeanne Sarazen, MA, RDN, FAND, author of The Complete Recipe Writing Guide, highlights the importance of presentation in ensuring your recipes capture attention. This is because skillful food styling can heighten the appeal of your work and set you apart in social media, creating cookbooks, videos and blogs from other food specialists.
Sarazen’s guide breaks down several key aspects of food styling, providing practical advice on how to make your dishes visually compelling. Below are some main points from the book that will give you insights into the process and how you can develop these skills.
Color in Food Styling
Color is one of the most powerful elements in food presentation, influencing the visual impact of your dishes. For example, Sarazen notes that red foods, when plated on white dishes, create a striking contrast that naturally draws the viewer’s eye. This simple approach can make dishes like tomato salads or berry desserts truly stand out.
Tips for Choosing Color:
- Consider how the food’s color interacts with the plate and the overall setting.
- Familiarize yourself with the color wheel. Decide on the main color of your food, and then choose complimentary colors (colors that are opposite on the color wheel) for your plates and props (napkins, silverware, tablecloth, table center pieces).
- Choose colors that highlight the natural beauty of the ingredients, making the food look more inviting.
By thoughtfully selecting and combining colors, you can create attention-grabbing dishes that resonate with your audience. Remember, the way you use color not only influences the aesthetics of the dish but also how it is perceived. When used effectively, color can transform a simple plate of food, encouraging people to taste with their eyes first.
Dishware and Glassware
The choice of dishware and glassware plays a pivotal role in shaping the visual story of your food. These elements go beyond simple functionality; they frame your dish, providing a backdrop that highlights its features.
Tips for Selection:
- Opt for dishware with matte finishes to prevent glare, ensuring the emphasis remains on the food.
- Select dishware that showcases the food, rather than competing with it. Choosing neutral colors for bright foods or complementary colors is a great starting point.
Presentation choices can allow the unique qualities of your food to shine through in every shot, helping to bring out the details and textures of your dish, and transforming it into a visually compelling photograph.
Professional Presentation
A clean, polished presentation is key for professional-looking food photography. For example, Sarazen suggests using vodka to clean any droplets of fat or frosting from the edges of plates or bowls. This quick-evaporating solution leaves no streaks, ensuring your staging remains flawless.
In addition to cleanliness, simplicity in styling is fundamental. Avoid placing items directly behind the main dish, as this can create distractions and detract from the focal point. An uncluttered background helps maintain focus on the dish, making it stand out more prominently in photos.
Conclusion
The Complete Recipe Writing Guide by Raeanne Sarazen offers practical advice and techniques to help you create beautifully composed culinary content. From understanding color theory to selecting the right dishware and mastering food photography, this guide provides the insights you need to foster the skills necessary for food styling.
Whether you're an experienced professional or new to food styling, this guide equips you with the tools and knowledge to make your recipes not only taste great but also leave an impact on your audience.
Citations
Sarazen, R. (2023). The Complete Recipe Writing Guide. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
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