Huawei GR5 2017: Dual Cam Frontrunner for Food Photography
Interested in learning about Food Photography? Read on for some BOKEH-licious tips from the budget-friendly Dual Cam frontrunner, Huawei GR5 2017.
Before you get to visually feast on Circa 1900’s gastronomic delights, note that this is the second part of #GoDualCamNow Portrait and Food Photography Summer Workshop, organized by D’yan Lang x Huawei Mobile Philippines x Dodzki Photography. If you haven’t read Part I yet, then learn about the basics of Portrait Photography here.
II. Food Photography
While majority of the #GoDualCamNow photography session was focused on portrait, it doesn’t mean food photography has never got my attention any less. Thanks to Circa 1900’s sumptuous and wide array of food choices. Even when the main phoneography workshop haven’t officially started yet, I already took snapshots of my snacks. Looks yummy right? Can’t wait to devour ’em all!
Food Photography is not new to me but I’m still learning the basics – lighting, perspective, arrangement, macro, etc. Taking great photographs of food is a skill I’m still working on. When I got my Huawei GR5 2017, my interest in food photography flared up. Who wouldn’t? It’s surprising that even a mid-ranger smartphone can yield gorgeous, high-quality images at par with that of costly DSLRs. With the dual cam frontrunner Huawei GR5 2017 at hand, food photography seems a lot easier to hone these days, regardless of your photography skills level.
You know the drill, here are the some of the food photography techniques I’ve learned and applied using Huawei GR5 2017.
1.) Flat Lay
Flat lay is common in Food Photography. Just take a picture of the subject-food by positioning your mobile camera parallel to it, then you’re good to go. You may also add extra accessories to have a creative composition. Opt for a flat lay background that complements the featured food without causing distraction of the viewer from the main subject.
If there are lots of food in the table, these must be arranged in a particular manner and focus only on one food. And it doesn’t have to be taken as flat lay. (Thanks for this Sir Dodzki!)
2.) Good Food
Huawei GR5 2017 has something for you foodies! And that is Good Food mode. Use this mode to take more appealing close-up shots of your favorite food.
Let’s compare two shots of (A) hot bbq meal and (B) cold dessert and note each mode differences, to wit:
A1 – normal mode, the shot looks dull compared to the one in Good Food mode.
A2 – Good Food mode is indeed more appealing and attractive to look at. More indulging than the first photo right?
B1 – this cold dessert looks unattractive at first glance due to absence of glow effect.
B2 – with Huawei GR5 2017 Good Food, the mango fiesta dessert now looks stunning. And it’s mouthwatering to look at. Namnam!
3.) Bokeh Effect
The Bokeh or “blur effect”, as a result of dual camera technology, gives an artistic volume to your shots. Just click the small shutter icon above to start taking wide aperture photos. It is recommended for taking photos of people or objects within two (2) meters. Huawei GR5 2017 delivers a BOKEH-ful food photo excellently. The bokeh effect produces images with a shallow depth of field, thus emphasizing the food’s mouthwatering look.
After taking the photo, you can refocus your subject and even adjust how blur you want your background to be. Touch the shutter icon to edit the wide aperture effects.
A – Original ouput. The focus is on the first food item on the plate.
B – Touch the desired spot to refocus. From the left-most piecemeal, the focus now shifted to the right-most food item, blurring the first one out. Can you spot the difference?
C – Touch the upper background, the focus will now be on the surrounding trees. The foreground now becomes completely blurred.
D – If you touch the lower base, the focus is now noticeable on the table.
Aperture Adjustment
To adjust the blur, just slide the aperture up or down Aperture opening can be adjusted from f/0.95 to f/16.
A – At default setting, the aperture is set at F4.0.
B – If you slide up, the more blur the photo gets up to F0.95.
C – If you slide down, the aperture will range from f/4.5 to f/16.0, with now lesser blur effect compared to photo C.
D – You can also change the filter by clicking the three overlapping circles found at the right corner. Select a filter that suits your mood. You can choose from six (6) filters. And it will surely add an interesting feel to the photo.
4. Lens Flare
If you’re shooting into the light, then you’re going to encounter lens flare at one time or another. Add the flare effect using a prism to create a dramatic effect to the photo. You may utilize the sun’s natural light to produce those lovely flares of light as they pass through your mobile dual camera lenses. Smoky!
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And that ends my application of the lessons I’ve learned in the #GoDualNowCam Food Photography Workshop. And with Huawei GR5 2017, the resulting shots are apparently striking. And I believe it is the Dual Cam frontrunner for Food Photography.
Feeling hungry already? Head to Circa 1900 at Sanjercas Ville Extension Road, Cebu City. It is a perfect venue for satisfying your cravings for delicious, healthy and freshly prepared food. And don’t forget to take beautiful snapshots of your favorite food. =)
