Editorial styling is clean, clear, graphic and impactful - often minimalist, but never boring, using negative space with effortless confidence.
Editorial images almost always need space for text - that's why this type of image has empty areas - it makes it easier to run titles across it. But that doesn't mean editorial images are only good for magazine spreads - this style is ideal for creating a strong portfolio of food and product imagery.
Editorial styling guides you towards simple but strong compositions with minimal elements in the layout. And whatever your preferred style - modern, moody, soft, layered, vintage, pretty - all these can still be made to look editorial if you keep some space.
A editorial style image of only three elements, shot on our 'Safe' backdrop
Photography tips for editorial captures
- add interest in the negative space by allowing the light to fall away or feather across
- experiment with really short focal depths when the hero is clear and simply framed
- create direction/flow with your lighting by playing with bounce (white) and fill (black) cards
- go macro - try a 85-105mm lens
Styling tips for editorial compositions
- try using only three elements
- if in doubt - take it away! Less is more in editorial styling
- if you love layering, keep it subtle by using similar tones
- if adding action (hands, moving elements etc) consider this one element and don't overlap with other props (only the backdrop)
- select your backdrop carefully - this will be a big element in your image as you'll want to be leaving a lot of negative space
Editorial product styling on the 'Seville' vibrant orange photography backdrop
Editing ideas for editorial photography
- use masks on the backdrop/negative space if you need to make it more consistent
- use gradients to add interest to flat areas
- try layering titles and text across your image - where would it go? If there isn't any space for text, you haven't nailed the editorial look yet!
Beautiful lemons shot in a graphic overhead editorial style by Anna Janecka on our ‘Ariel’ deep sea green photography backdrop
I hope this has inspired you to try editorial styling, a quick and effective approach that achieves striking results with just a few props!
Oh so elegant styling by Suze at Gourmet Glow leaving lots of negative space. Shot on ‘June’ - a swirled pink-beige marble effect backdrop