This is not the easiest shape to work with. You have to use the Rule of Thirds, which is a theory dictating how an image (in this case your plate) should be composed in order to create an aesthetically pleasing result. You basically break your plate up into a grid system of 9 block and try to avoid using the bull’s eye itself because that’s a so-called dead spot. Also try not to use any of the spots in the corners.

are a good choice for plating elongated dishes like sushi, kebabs, or tandoori chicken It is effective if you have lots of small little garnishes that can wind their way through the length of the plate, making it look like a garden.

Upscale dishes

for comfort foods

Add home made touch to the styling

used for smaller dishes, like starter or entremets is a food presentation technique that uses a bowl instead of a plate to serve food. Bowl food is a massive trend, with cookbooks and restaurants to match. Try a more elegant styled bowl;

Gives food a freshly cooked apperance, even for hours

Food photography involves creating miniature worlds to showcase the food. Sets include:

When shooting for packaging, you’ll often need

Using materials such as wood, slate and stone as a plating device lends a more rustic and back-to-nature feel to dishes.

stabilizes your camera, reduces shake, and helps achieve top-down shots. It keeps your camera secure during long scene arrangements and ensures consistent perspective. It also allows manual focus, essential for image stacking.

Steps Creating Your Perfect Set of dishes

food plating style that uses minimalism, clean lines, and natural elements to present food. It's a popular technique that emphasizes the ingredients in their natural state and often includes foraged items. Make ribbons or chunks of vegetables and scatter herbs on a dish to garnish for seemingly effortless style. ‘Gone Fishing’ by the Danish chef and food stylist Mikkel Karstadt is a good place to look for inspiration; follow him on Instagram

Right portion size of the plate

food plating technique that involves using a bowl and liquid to create a pool of sauce or broth. The food can be placed in the pool or on top of ingredients to create a raised effect. For example, these tortellini with a shellfish sauce or coquilles with chicory, truffle foam, goat cheese and shrimps.

Design Tips Backgrounds: White-on-white schemes for simplicity. Patterned or distressed metals for an industrial look. Slate for a sleek and modern feel. Props: Graphic linens and sleek modern dishes. Lighting: Focus on shadows and textures for a dramatic effect

Making use of sleek materials like metal, glass and steel. It creates a cutting edge.

These are most commonly used. The same rule applies to your grid system on this plate, except you don’t have to worry about all the dead corners. Try not to get anything in the middle unless it’s deliberately in the middle.

is a food plating method that involves partially hiding ingredients or garnishes in layers. This technique is ideal for dishes with multiple ingredients or garnishes. Layering adds an element of playfulness and surprise to the dish. Think a puffed rice cracker covering crab meat, thinly sliced radishes hiding a yummy sea bass tartare.

Small cutter for skewers and toothpick

Warm, inviting, and slightly imperfect. Suits rustic comfort foods like pie.

Add a homemade touch to the styling.

key in food photography.

Gives food a freshly cooked appearance, even after hours.

For dispensing liquid

form of product photography, showcasing food, drinks, and snacks. Beautiful food images are found in cookbooks, restaurants, and social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

Important for adding oil or water to objects

Simple background and can also function as a diffuser.

carelessly strewn across a plate, but each stroke and food placement is carefully thought out to create an abstract yet intriguing “painting” on a plate. It treats the plate as a canvas for a work of abstract art. The chef may use splashes or splatters of sauce, or more precise brushes or dots and swirls. The other elements are then carefully placed in an artistic fashion across the canvas

For misting food with controlled spray

For securing and arranging food

An art of playing with food and food arrangements so it looks appealing, delicious, and fresh

Design Tips Backgrounds: Use natural surfaces like worn wood or cutting boards. Props: Rustic utensils, cake stands, or antique elements. Subdued-colored linens and tablecloths. Lighting: Natural light for warmth and homeliness

Simple background and can also function as a diffuser

Food treated as art. Modern, minimalist, or industrial aesthetic.

this linear arrangement of food is usually kept low and long. A more modern approach is to create a low-lying dish accross the plate. The elements often lean on one another, with dots of sauce or puree interspersed and garnishes draped over to bring everything together.

Useful for precise placement of small items and soft foods.

Clean, upscale, and refined appearance. Starched napkins, white/black tablecloths. High-quality silverware and stemware.

Design Tips Backgrounds: Use a clean white or solid color. Attach foam core behind the table for solid backdrops. Props: Add wine glasses or quality utensils. For red wine, dilute with water (up to 40%) to enhance the red tone. Lighting: Highlight the elegance of the food.