Sorting out the light
| Situation | Problem | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Ceiling light only | Top light, shadows on plates | Turn it off; put a lamp beside the table |
| Only candles and string lights | Too dark, blurry | Switch on one lamp just for the food shots |
| Mixed light (cool LED plus warm bulbs) | Each plate a different color | Keep only one color of light |
Keep candles and string lights in the background and light the food with one source from the side.
Framing the table
- Shoot the whole table overhead. You may need to stand on a chair.
- Give the main dish its own shot at 45°.
- Hands raising a glass or passing a plate make it feel like a party.
When to shoot
Your one chance is the minute or two after everything is on the table and before people sit down. Pick the spot in advance and shoot the hot dishes first: steam fades fast.
Edits that keep the mood
Check the light before you shoot
Foodlit’s Camera tab tells you when the light is too low, with “Too dark — move toward a window”. If you see it, switch on another lamp. When the angle badge turns green near 90°, you are overhead.
Night Market for dark shots; Golden Hour or Bistro for mood
Brighten dark shots with the free Night Market filter. For extra warmth, the premium Golden Hour (amber sunset light) or Bistro (candlelit dinner tone) filters fit. On photos already shot under warm bulbs, Golden Hour can overdo it, so lower the strength.
FAQ
Why not just use the flash?
A straight-on flash creates glare on sauces and hard shadows behind plates. A lamp, or a friend’s phone torch held to the side, works better.
Can I edit everyone’s photos at once?
Batch edit applies one filter to 10 photos per ad, so the whole evening ends up in the same tone.
Foodlit - Food Photo Filter
No account, no upload: every photo is analyzed and edited on your phone. Free on Android.