Food Photography Lighting for Restaurants: One Setup That Works
Lighting is the difference between “meh” and “must order.” Here’s a simple, repeatable setup for menu photos—no studio required.
TL;DR
Use side window light as your main light. Add a white reflector to soften shadows. Avoid mixed lighting (it ruins color).
The “window + foam board” method
Place the dish near a window with indirect light. Put a white foam board opposite the window. Rotate the plate until the food looks dimensional (not flat).
Fixing common lighting problems
Yellow food
Turn off overhead kitchen lights and rely on window light.
Harsh shadows
Move the foam board closer. Or diffuse the window with a sheer curtain.
Shiny glare (soups, glazes)
Raise the camera angle slightly and rotate the dish until glare disappears.
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The fastest workflow
Shoot in one lighting setup → enhance → export platform crops.
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