Best shot from a low angle, stacked objects are a brilliant way to use height in your compositions. Whether you stack props, product or food, you instantly create interesting light and shade – darker where objects meet with little highlights catching in between.
You can also manipulate the light on your set to accentuate the new stacked shape you’ve created. Often this creates a cylindrical form, but that really depends on the shape and consistency of whatever you’re stacking.
As you've seen the obvious foods to stack are doughnuts, biscuits and burgers...but what else could you try? Sandwiches, sushi and cut fruit could work well too. And what about stacking different shapes and sizes?
A stacked avo and egg bagel shot on the Appledore photography backdrop
Photography tips for stacking
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To highlight your stack, try darkening off the back wall of your set with black card placed near your light source.
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Play with your light position to add shape and contrast to the cylindrical form you’ve created.
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Try side lighting with a single light for a chiaroscuro feel.
Styling tips when stacking
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An infinity curve gives you an instant base-and-wall setup that’s perfect for low-angle shots – read our tips on using infinity curves here.
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A stacked pile can feel quite static, so try adding fabric or a long, flat prop (like the wooden board above) running through the depth of the scene to create foreground and background interest.
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Adding an action or human element brings depth and movement – like Anna’s biscuit shot, or the cascading sugar example on the Ariel backdrop here. (You’ll need a tripod for this and a higher aperture like f/11, f/16)
Biscuits and other robust baked goods are perfect for tall stacks, shot here on the Ariel deep green backdrop
Editing ideas for hard light photography
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Use gradient or brush masks to subtly darken and lighten areas, building depth into the image.
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Accentuate the shape of your stack by deepening shadows and blacks (just watch saturation if you push contrast too far).
Burgers are the ultimate stacked food! Beautifully styled and shot by Costas @mademymrmillas
A tall stack of biscuits captured by our wonderful brand ambassador Anna Janecka on the Athena photo backdrop.
Stacking is one of those styling techniques that looks impressive but is actually quite simple to try. Next time you’re setting up a scene, think upwards as well as across – a little height can completely transform the feel of your composition.
I hope that’s sparked some ideas and inspo to start stacking your compositions. It's a simple technique, which we think is often overlooked and seriously underrated. Have fun experimenting!
Gorgeous stacked meringues by Suze at Gourmet Glow