Mouthwatering masterpieces: the art of food photography

In addition to colour and texture, Linda suggests playing with details to liven up a lacklustre set, while also introducing a sense of scale and depth. "Out-of-focus items in the foreground and background are a good example," she says. "I might place a vase of flowers behind the food, and then, working in odd numbers, scatter recipe ingredients such as flour, berries and leaves around it."

For extra precision, if your camera has one, Linda encourages beginners to focus using a vari-angle touchscreen. "Cameras such as the Canon EOS 850D and Canon EOS 250D, with their moveable touchscreens, are ideal for food photography. Touchscreens are especially helpful for top-down photos – if the camera is high up you can simply tilt the screen and select where you want it to focus. The same goes if you're shooting from a very low angle – you won't have to lie on the floor, you can just tilt the screen."

4. Select props and backgrounds to build the story

Those who have feasted their eyes on Linda's work can testify to the Scandinavian shooter's love of props, which are crucial for introducing extra textures and colours, as well as helping to establish the image's overall mood. "I have so many props," she says. "Mostly older items that I've found in thrift shops and antique stores – they help to tell the story. If I'm going for a rustic, moody look, antique props will help, whereas if I want a bright, modern look, I'll choose props with cleaner lines, and with less pattern and colour."

Linda's arsenal of backgrounds is as extensive as her prop collection and includes all manner of materials such as wallpaper, gift wrap, linen curtains, wooden crates, old doors and chairs, and even vintage suitcases. "It doesn't always have to be a wooden table," she says. "You can create backgrounds out of anything. Why not paint a couple of pieces of wood? You can paint each side a different colour, and repaint when you want to change your look."

5. Experiment with lenses to hone your style

Typically Linda teams her Canon EOS 5D Mark II (now succeeded by the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV) with one of her four go-to lenses – the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM and the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM. Which lens she chooses to use depends on the story she wants to create.

"If you're new to photography, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a fantastic lens to start with," she says. "It's affordable, and the fact that you can shoot at a low f-stop with a large aperture will help in low-light situations, which is very important if you live in a country where the winters are long and dark. What's more, it's the perfect focal length for capturing a scene without having to get too close. Another good option would be the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM – it's similar to my macro lens, which is incredibly sharp."

For shooting from a distance, Linda recommends a wider lens. "To photograph the entire table, go for a lens like the Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 IS Macro STM, which would also be my choice for top-down shots." Remember that if you're shooting with an APS-C or crop-sensor camera, such as the Canon EOS 850D, a 35mm lens with a 1.6x crop factor will give a similar view to a 50mm lens on a full-frame camera.

6. Shoot at a variety of angles

While most people associate food photography with top-down Instagram-style shots, Linda says it's important to consider other angles too. "The angle I shoot depends on what I'm trying to emphasise. I would probably shoot a tall layer cake on a stand from the side, and then take top-down shots of slices of cake on plates."

As most of Linda's work appears on her blog, she says quantity is as important as quality. "I post many shots, so I try to shoot from different angles to add variety and give the content a better flow."

7. Set a wide aperture and a low ISO

To create her enchantingly atmospheric style, Linda typically shoots with a wide aperture and a low ISO. "I tend to use an aperture of f/1.8 to f/3.2 and very rarely go above that," she says. "The only time I would use a smaller aperture would be for top-down photos with many items at different heights that I want to be in focus, but I rarely go over f/5."

"I also suggest shooting with a low ISO without lowering the shutter speed too much. I try to stay around 1/125 sec if I'm shooting handheld, but if you're using a tripod and you're shooting a subject that isn't moving you can go lower." ISO capabilities vary depending on the model of your camera, but shooting at the lowest ISO possible is good practice. Low ISO numbers mean less grain, which is particularly important if you plan to enlarge or print your images.

Linda's moodier shots are what's referred to as 'low-key' shots, which means the subject is exposed correctly and the surrounding objects are darker. Linda edits her shots to achieve her desired aesthetic, but she says newcomers don't need expensive software. Canon's Digital Photo Professional is free for all Canon shooters, and there are plenty of free editing apps available for your smartphone. Make the most of your camera's Wi-Fi connectivity by transferring the photos to your phone or computer using image.canon to be edited and shared immediately.



Written by Natalie Denton