Whether you're a budding home cook sharing your latest creation on social media or a enthusiast photographer seeking to elevate culinary artistry, mastering the art of food photography can transform how we and your viewers perceive and appreciate food. We asked Fujifilm X-Photographer Andrew Hall for his top tips on capturing that perfect food photo with the new Fujifilm X-M5, a compact content creation powerhouse – and of course, his tips will work equally well for your camera as well!

TIP 1 - Natural Lighting:

Use soft, natural light whenever possible. Position your setup near a window with no direct sunlight to avoid harsh shadows and highlight the food’s textures and colours. If there’s not a lot of light, use a higher ISO and avoid using a flash. Flash will wash out detail in your images and create unflattering shadows.

The 26-megapixel sensor in the Fujifilm X-M5 captures amazing levels of detail in both the shadows and highlights, even at high ISO settings, to give your images a true feeling of depth.

TIP 2 - Composition:

Experiment with different angles. Overhead angles work well for food like pizza, while a 45-degree angle is great for capturing height and layers. You can even shoot down at plate level which is great for shots of that fabulous multi layer sponge cake you just cut into!

The Fujifilm X-M,5 with its versatile articulated LCD screen allows you to place the camera in any position and yet still have a perfect view of the screen to compose the scene just the way you want it.

TIP 3 - Props, Backgrounds and Colour Palate:

Choose complementary props that enhance the food without overpowering it. Simple backgrounds, like wooden boards or textured fabrics, can add interest without distracting from the main subject. Avoid other distractions such as menus or type on the table settings and be mindful of bright spots or colours in the background. Choose a colour palette that compliments the food or if in doubt, white always works!!

Use the Fujifilm X-M5’s film simulation dial to choose a film simulation to suit the scene. There are 20 to choose from! For that salad with bright red tomatoes, perhaps choose the Velvia film simulation to saturate those intense colours. If your subject contains more muted tones like the classic artisan bread loaf, then choose a simulation like Nostalgic Neg to capture the subdued colours and textures in a warm flattering tone. Don’t just take my suggestions, use the film simulation dial to scroll through the range of simulations to find the one that suits your desired aesthetic.

TIP 4 - Focus on Details:

Avoid having too many elements in the shot to ensure that the “hero” component of the dish doesn’t get lost in the clutter. As well as the wider shots that include the whole dish, remember to capture close-ups to showcase textures, colours, and details. Consider using a macro lens for extra clarity on intricate elements.

While styling is important, make sure the food looks appetizing and not overly staged. Aim for a natural appearance that reflects how the dish would look when served.

The Fujifilm X-M5 and the XC 15-45mm combination is perfect for both the wider angle, top-down angle images and the closer detail shots. For those fine detail close macro images, the XF30mm F2.8 macro lens is a great, compact and lightweight addition to your food photography kit.

TIP 5 - Vlogging:

While the main focus is on still photography (pardon the pun), don’t forget those TikTok and Instagram reels! The tips I have outlined for your food photography apply equally for video creation.

Use the Fujifilm X-M5’s intuitive Vlog mode to seamlessly create and share video content. The vlog mode also includes a 9:16 “Short Movie Mode” for that vertical social media content. Once in Vlog mode, all the camera settings for video can be adjusted on the LCD screen with just a touch.

The Fujifilm X-M5 is the perfect partner for your food content creation for both stills and video with a range of intuitive creative modes that free you up to concentrate on developing your own unique style and enjoy some delicious food along the way!