Times Food Photography Contest: 4 modes to try for mobile food photography

Taste the Lens: India on a Plate
Food in India isn’t just about flavor—it’s culture, memory, and emotion on a plate. “Taste the Lens” is your opportunity to celebrate this rich diversity through photography. Whether it’s a steaming plate of momos or the colorful chaos of a chaat stall, your clicks could bring those flavors to life for thousands. And we all know that food photography is a seamless blend of art, perspective, and science. So, here are a few modes that one can try to click brilliant food photographs. Take a look.

Portrait Mode
Best for: Highlighting a single dish with a professional, blurred background (bokeh).
Focuses on the food while gently blurring the background.
Ideal for close-up shots of burgers, desserts, or artisanal drinks.
Tip: Make sure the main subject is well-lit and centered for the blur to work effectively.

HDR (High Dynamic Range)
Best for: Scenes with mixed lighting (e.g., indoor food near a window).
Captures more detail in both the shadows and highlights.
Helps balance the exposure when you have bright plates and dark table settings.
Tip: Use HDR when shooting near natural light sources to avoid blown-out highlights.

Pro or Manual Mode
Best for: Full control over lighting, white balance, and focus.
Adjust ISO, shutter speed, and focus manually for creative shots.
Ideal for low-light or indoor restaurant settings.
Tip: Lower the ISO and stabilize your phone to avoid noise and blur.

Top-Down / Flat Lay Mode (Using Grid Lines)
Best for: Capturing spreads, multiple dishes, or symmetrical setups.
Use the grid lines and overhead angle to compose balanced, aesthetic shots.
Great for brunch tables, thalis, or party platters.
Tip: Keep the lighting even and avoid casting your own shadow.

This Month’s Theme – May 2025: Street Food Chronicles
From vada pavs in Mumbai to jhalmuri in Kolkata, street food tells the most authentic culinary stories. This May, we’re spotlighting the sizzle, spice, and soul of India's streets. Think:

Sizzling tavas

Flying parathas

Tangy golgappas

Chilli-smeared kathi rolls

Show us your city’s street food spirit!

Why You Should Participate
- Get featured on Times Food’s Instagram, Facebook & Twitter
- Win exciting e-gift vouchers
- Share your food story with thousands of fellow foodies

Contest Info
Theme: Street Food Chronicles
Duration: May 1 to May 31, 2025
Submission Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM daily
Winner Announcement: June 5, 2025 (4:00 PM)

Prizes:
- E-gift vouchers delivered within 30 working days
- Winners contacted via email & phone
- Address details collected post-selection

How to Enter
Snap a photo of your street food experience
Submit it [ HERE]
Wait & Win! Winners get featured and rewarded

So next time you’re savoring a piping hot dosa or juggling golgappas, don’t just eat—capture the magic. Turn your cravings into clicks and share the story that your plate is telling.

Ready to Taste the Lens?
Join now, click [ HERE] for details.

Want more food fun?
Join our WhatsApp Food Community to explore recipes, stories & more—click [ HERE]!

Images Courtesy: iStock