Flow: creating movement and magic in food photography

Flow is a fun technique to explore because it’s very abstract and other-worldly. Not all images have it, and not all images need it, but when they do it brings an extra element of movement and magic.

By flow we mean the way your eye travels across an image – the way the props lead the viewer to take in each element and finally rest upon the hero. 

Static images – single heroes or equal numbers in grids, for example – won’t have a lot of flow. Instead they rely on the impact of a graphic set-up, interesting lighting and maybe surprising breaks to the rule. Think an overhead grid of 3×3 donuts but one has been bitten – there isn’t much organic flow, but there is an obvious hero or focal point.

Asymmetric and looser compositions normally create a nice flow across them, using cleverly placed leading lines and cues in the lighting, framing and focus to help the eye skip across the image and finally rest on the hero. 

Different-sized circles used in an S-curve create flow across this image, shot on the Cara marble effect photography backdrop

Photography tips when using flow

• If you’re shooting overhead and creating a flat-lay composition, remember to travel upwards with your styling towards the camera through layering, as well as styling horizontally across the image. This gives more light and shade, and a more interesting three-dimensional capture.
  

• Play with black cards to fill in shadows and deepen them – adding contrast and drama to emphasise the flow you’ve created.
  

• Experiment with focal depth to create distance and a front, middle and back to your image, increasing the feeling of movement.
  
  

Beautiful linen styling by Suze @gourmetglow shows how to add light and shade in tones that echo the backdrop, leading the eye without feeling heavy or stealing focus. Shot on the 'Salt’ premium waterproof vinyl backdrop.

Styling tips for creating flow in your composition

• Explore composition theories such as S-curve, golden ratio and rule of thirds. They’re all playing on the same thing (balance and tension), but they can be helpful starting points for creating a journey across your image.
  

• Remember you can use negative (empty) space to your advantage, especially in asymmetric scenes. Keeping some space clear gives the eye a rest and creates a peaceful composition.
  

• Leading lines are a quick way to direct flow, but use cutlery with caution – things can start to look spiky and confusing with too many knives! And don’t forget the edge of a board, a horizon line or a pointy napkin will all act as arrows too.
  

• Ruffled linen and flowing fabrics can add a lot of movement. Like a rippling river they can lead you to the final destination – your hero and focal point. Lighter materials (think silk scarves) create the softest ripples and dreamy dips for shadows.
  

A short focal depth across different heights can be a welcome element to make a flowing flat-lay feel less flat. Shot on the Earl grey photography backdrop

Editing ideas for images with flow

• Try gradient or brush masks to subtly lighten the “path” or flow you’ve created around your image.
  

• If you need more interest but don’t want to lead the eye in a specific direction, use fabrics and props in tones close to your backdrop and desaturate or darken them so they become purely textural.
  
  

Anna Janecka uses negative space and a clever spoon placement to signal the hero in this lovely shot using our Amos concrete-effect photography backdrop

A lovely composition by Suze @gourmetglow brings our attention from the large cake at the back through to the front, where our eyes rest on the in-focus piece of cheesecake.

A simple composition takes our eyes across the main dish while subtly supporting the hero in a loose style –on what could otherwise be quite a static, single-element capture. Shot by Anna Janecka on the ‘Hvar’ white tile photography backdrop

We hope that’s given you some ideas and inspiration to use flow to create captivating compositions!