Food Photography — Restaurant Menu Shot

Transform this food photo into PROFESSIONAL RESTAURANT FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY.

**Dish shown**: [describe the food — type, plating, setting]

Food photography essentials:
- Hero angle: 45° (most food), flat lay/90° (pizza, salads), or side-on (burgers, layer cakes)
- Food looks fresh, glistening, just-cooked — peak deliciousness
- Visible steam or heat haze rising from hot food
- Sauce drips and crumbs placed intentionally — "controlled mess"
- Garnish: fresh herbs, microgreens, edible flowers, or a sprinkle of sea salt mid-fall

Plating upgrade:
- Clean, elegant plate (white ceramic or matte dark)
- Negative space on the plate — not overcrowded
- Height and layers visible (stacking, leaning, draping)
- Sauce swoosh or dotted pattern on the plate

Lighting (the key to great food photography):
- Backlight or side-backlight (11 o'clock position) — creates depth and glow
- Highlights on sauce, oil, and moisture (the "glistening" effect)
- Soft shadows that define shape without going dark
- No direct flash (the #1 food photography sin)

Environment:
- Background: blurred restaurant setting, wooden table, linen, or marble
- Supporting props: wine glass, bread basket, vintage cutlery (blurred)
- Napkin or cloth for texture contrast

Color grading: warm, appetizing, slightly boosted saturation on food colors
Technical: shot on 85mm f/2.8 macro, natural window light supplemented with bounce card

--ar 4:5 or --ar 1:1