How to take photograph of food at restaurants?

Want the world to know that you are eating at a fancy restaurant which serves unpronounceable dishes? No better way to do so other than with pictures. Clicking photos with camera phones is so common these days, that even the chefs sometimes indulge in it.

Of course, there are many who still feel that food should be enjoyed by savouring the richness of the dish, and not by clicking continuously while it gets cold. In fact, many restaurants in France specifically tell their diners to refrain from clicking photos of the food.

So unless you are eating at one such restaurant, chances are you will end up going back with your tummy and camera’s memory card full. Here is how you can be civil about clicking photos at a restaurant.

1. Turn off the Flash: Not only is it the first rule of food photography, but it also adheres to general dining etiquettes. That annoying clickety-click shutter noise on the phone or camera should also be put on mute, so as not to disturb other diners.

2. Click fast: Don’t go changing your camera settings and experimenting with the angles and backgrounds. If the whole process takes more than 7-10 seconds, then there is no point in clicking photos.

3. Right light: Restaurant lighting can range from low lighting, to dim candle lights to decently-lit halls to extravagantly lit food courts. If the light really isn’t good enough and you must take a photo, then ask your companion to light the dish with their phone’s torch app. Or you can request the waiter to give you a window seat during the day so that you can use the natural light.

4. The best and safest angle for you to shoot what’s served before you is from straight over the top of the dish. Don’t stand up if you can help it, unless you want strangers in the restaurant to stare at you.

5. If you are a serious food photographer and talk politely to the restaurant staff about your work, then they might even be willing to help you. You can ask for good seating, or permission to click against certain decor to use as background. But remember, seek permission first.