top of page
SCHEDULING
DELIVERY
NAMING
CAPTURE
EQUIPMENT
LIGHTING
Single dish
Hero composition
AVOID DURING THE PHOTOSHOOT
Airbnb_Logo_edited.png

Culinary Photoshoot

V 1.2 - 20223.09.14

OCUS LOGO

foodpanda is food delivery marketplace, available in 11 countries.
The service allows users to select from local restaurants and place orders via its mobile applications as well as its websites.

foodpanda mission:
"Bringing good food into your everyday. That's our mission.
That means we don't just deliver--we bring it, always going the extra mile to make your experience memorable.
And it means this is delicious food you can enjoy everyday: from vibrant salads for healthy office lunches, to indulgent family-sized pizzas, to fresh sushi for a romantic night in. Whatever you crave, we can help."

SCHEDULING


How to schedule a photoshoot


If you are scheduling for the first time and are not sure of the correct process, please follow the instructions here to ensure that you follow the correct protocol with the business owner.

By accepting this assignment, you will be representing OCUS in the eyes of our client. We count on you to demonstrate a high level of professionalism in your coming interactions. If a photoshoot already has an appointment scheduled, please respect this appointment and only assign yourself to the photoshoot if you are available at this time.

DELIVERY


When and how to upload my images

Your priority is capturing excellent photos. To ensure consistency, OCUS is handling the post-production internally. Please respect the following requirements to make sure that we can deliver the best outcome to our client.

- Don’t edit any of your pictures (no crop, no edit). - Don’t erase your metadata. - Select your best shots and don't send more files than required. - Follow the naming convention below (take some notes during the photoshoot to keep all the needed information).

NAMING

A list of dishes should be available as attachment or link in your dashboard comments, use it to change those names into Product IDs. Singles dish pictures should be named: ProductID.jpg, (e,g. 421345.jpg) Hero shot should be named: Vendorcode_Hero.jpg (e,g. 5tgk_hero.jpg), or only hero.jpg if no vendor code. - If product ID is not available then you can name the dish with dish name (e,g. burger.jpg) - If any dishes have non-Roman characters (ex: Chinese, Thai...) in their name, please keep them. Do not use roman characters if so.

- Please make sure you upload your media in the correct category. - Don’t forget to validate your assignment after uploading your files. /!\ Send your pictures the same day than the photoshoot before midnight. /!\ Keep your RAW files until your mission is validated.

CAPTURE

PACKAGES


Check your mission dashboard or your OCUS email notifications for package details on your mission. This tells you the number of dishes you are required to capture.

We recommend that you take a few more pictures than what's mentioned on your mission, in order to secure your work and avoid reshooting (hold on to the additional pictures till your mission is validated 100% successfully). However, DO NOT upload them to your mission.


KEY POINTS


1. Amount of images

- follow the Menu list/PRODUCT_0 list to determine the items that need to be shot. If you notice that the PRODUCT_0 list has more dishes than what you are required to shoot, simply ask the advertiser to choose the most popular dishes


2. Respect composition constraints

- background, light, dishes

- always center the dish even if there is a side dish

- always prefer rounded plates if possible

- don't place the board/plate with direct sharp angle to the consumer’s view to avoid the bad customer experience

- don't choose a familiar color between the background and the dish. Keep it contrasted

- don't place the plate vertically to avoid the retinal disturbances

- don't include props/unnecessary stuff into the photo

- make sure to not include patterned plate


3. Always keep in mind future formats for the app

- horizontal format only + multiple ratios to anticipate


4. Lighting

Preferably natural light (Bring extra flashlights in case the restaurant is too dark — More info in Tips and tricks)


5. Angle

- 45° mainly for heterogeneous work (see specific cases in tips and tricks)


6. Naming

- always ask for the names of the dishes. You will need it when you rename your pictures.

- follow the delivery process diligently. More details provided at the bottom of the page


According to the situation and the weather, adapt these recommended settings. Use long shutter speed if needed but don’t use too high ISO.

We understand unexpected situations can arise in each shoot, so please use your best judgement.

EQUIPMENT

Camera.png

Full frame or APS-C

General settings:

  • ISO 400 max

Lens.png

30-65mm (full frame)

General settings:

  • Aperture: f/8 - f/11

Tripod.png

Accessories

  • Tripod

  • Background

  • Reflector

LIGHTING

- Natural-looking, soft light coming from the sides, not frontal to the food.

- Avoid hard light or hard shadows on food and drinks.

- Avoid light reflections on plate or background.

Single dish

🍛 Single dish pictures are composed of a single main dish. The image will be shown in the app for the customer to select their dishes.


Quantity

Assignment dashboard or OCUS email notifications for package details.


Do

- Always shoot in horizontal format.

- Place the main dish in the center.

- Arrange the food properly, so it looks neat and tasty.

- Camera angle is important, 45° requested in most cases (check tips and tricks for more details on the angles depending the dish).

- Always check focus point.

- Leave room for different crop ratios.


Don't

- Do not put food directly on the table.

- Don't use plastic containers (food must be served on a plate or paper napkin).

- Do not shoot with cutlery, chopsticks or plastic straws on food / drinks.

- No hard lights or hard shadows on background surface.

- Do not use dark or reflective backgrounds.

- No skewed or bent lines in background.

- Do not use damaged, rough or rustic-looking backgrounds that would distract from the food.


Camera settings

  • Shutter Speed - 1/150

  • Camera Mode: Aperture Priority

  • 35-70mm (full frame)

  • Aperture > f/8 - f/11

  • ISO 100 - 400 max.

  • Tripod, Reflector.

  • Horizontal/45°

Hero composition

⭐️ Hero composition should have a popular single main dish surrounded by secondary dishes and decorative props. You must take at least 1 hero picture. Please take more pictures for you to choose the best one to send us.


Quantity

x 1


Do

- Place the most attractive dish in the center of the composition, surrounded by the other dishes (2 other dishes minimum) and props.

- Use a 90° angle for all restaurant types, 45° remain an exception for drinks composition.

- Arrange the food properly, so it looks neat and tasty.

- Always check focus point.


Don't

- Do not include cutlery, chopsticks or plastic straws on food / drinks.

- Do not include hands in the photo.

- Don't use plastic containers (food must be served on a plate or paper napkin).

- Don't shoot food directly on the table.

- No hard lights or hard shadows on background surface.

- Do not use dark or reflective backgrounds.

- Do not use damaged, rough or rustic-looking backgrounds that would distract from the food.

- Don’t photograph alcohol bottles unless the restaurant manager requests it.


Camera settings

  • 35-65mm (full frame)

  • shutter speed - 1/200

  • Aperture > f/8 - f/11

  • ISO 100 - 400 max.

  • Tripod, Reflector, background

  • Horizontal/90°