Coffee Photography Tips

Food Photography  •  Photography Tips

Anyone who loves coffee knows that there’s more to the drink than just a quick caffeine fix. Coffee can be an art form, and it’s something that can be captured in photos beautifully.

Here are five creative ways to take photos of coffee that will show off its beauty and flavor perfectly.

1. Coffee starts from the beans

To set up a great photo of coffee beans, zoom in close to the beans to show off their texture and color.

The closer you get, the more detail your photos will have. Try using a diffuser to soften the light and create a more natural look.

You can also try out different angles and perspectives to add interest to your photos.

Finally, don’t be afraid to get creative with your composition. Try grouping the beans together in different ways, or adding props like cups or spoons.

2. Photograph grounds falling out of a grinder

While the process of grinding coffee beans can be messy, it can also be unexpectedly beautiful.

By capturing the moment when the grounds just come out of the grinder you can create images that are both aesthetically pleasing and reflective of the coffee-making process.

Of course, taking a great photo of falling coffee grounds isn’t always easy. The key is to set up a tripod and a remote in a way that you can capture the grounds as they rain out of the bottom of the grinder.

You’ll also need to use a fast shutter speed to freeze the action. But if you’re patient and persistent, you will end up with a truly unique and memorable photo.

3. The coffee bloom is full of great patterns

If you’ve ever made a pour over coffee, then you know that the bloom is full of bubbles and shades of white and beige that make for very interesting patterns.

When I first started taking photos of coffee blooms, I was really just trying to capture the unique beauty of this moment in the brewing process. But I quickly realized that there was so much more to it than that.

The patterns that form in the bloom are truly mesmerizing, and I find myself spending hours just staring at them.

I love the way the light plays off of the bubbles, and the way the colors swirl together. It’s like a piece of art that is created every time you make a cup of coffee, and you should definitely get a photo of it!

4. Pulling an espresso shot is one of the most hypnotizing things ever

The espresso shot as it flows out of the portafilter is an excellent subject for long exposure photography.

When captured with a continuous flow, the espresso looks like a beautiful ribbon of coffee.

Fast shutter speed photography can also be used to capture the individual drops of espresso as they fall into the cup. Both techniques produce stunning results!

5. Coffee makers can make for great water drop photos

As any coffee lover knows, making a pot of coffee is a relaxing and satisfying ritual.

Watching the dark liquid drip through the filter and into the pot is strangely mesmerizing, and it’s not hard to see why so many people find it calming. But did you know that you can also use this process to capture some great photographs?

The key is to focus on the ripples that form as the drops of coffee fall into the pot.

Next time you’re making coffee, why not set up your camera and try to capture the ripples?

Conclusion:

From photographing the beans before they’re roasted to capturing the hypnotizing patterns of espresso shots, there are plenty of opportunities to experiment and capture your cup of joe in a whole new light.

Have you tried any of these techniques? Or do you have your own favorite way to snap photos of coffee?

About the Author:
Shabbir Noor is a photographer and videographer who is passionate about helping people get into the hobby and perhaps even turn it into a career! Read more at his blog, One Year With Film Only.