How to Photograph Soups?

Photographing soups sometimes poses a real challenge, as it is very different than other food. It is runny, watery and more often than not lacks texture. It could just be plain coloured water and shooting that in an aesthetic way every time is not possible.

While photographing soups, you must keep in mind that colour and texture plays an important role. You get it right, you can show the consistency of the soup as well in a photograph.

Soups have personality and so many different complexions that there is no one perfect way to shoot them. Here are a few tips to help you through the process.

1. Make sure that the bowl of soup is leveled and does tilt (even slightly) since that will show when soup is poured into it. Do this before you start to light. Many shots will have the bowl sitting on top of a napkin, table runner or something else that may influence the level of the bowl.

2. Another thing that makes shooting soup a pain to shoot is it’s surface which is very reflective.  You need to be careful about where you put your lights so that you prevent unwanted reflections on the surface of the soup.

3. Different soups will require your to change lights and camera angles accordingly – like brothy soups or monochromatic soups.

4. You can place a smaller bowl upside down inside the soup bowl and then pour the soup in, this way you will use less soup and the ingredients like veggies or noodles will be partially visible on the surface.

5. Use interesting soup bowls and spoons and find interesting ways of styling it. Garnishing a soup will always help you. Also, photograph soups with accompaniments like bread sticks or crackers. You can also shoot the soup bowl along with the ingredients.