SCHEDULING
DELIVERY
NAMING
PHOTOSHOOT OVERVIEW
EQUIPMENT
LIGHTING
Single Product
Product composition
Background shot
Product Photography Guidelines
V 1.1 - 2023.09.22
SCHEDULING
If you are scheduling for the first time and are not sure of the correct process, please read 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. 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.
Assignments are not all the same. Please verify in the OCUS platform the number of photos you need to take, and confirm to the business the number of dishes they have to prepare.
DELIVERY
When and how to upload my images
Your priority is to take excellent photos. To ensure consistency across our entire community, OCUS is handling the post-production internally. Please respect the following requirements to make sure that we can deliver the best results to our client.
Don’t edit any of your photos (no crop, no edit).
Don’t remove the metadata from the files.
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).
If something does not allow you to strictly follow these guidelines during the photoshoot, you must let us know with a comment on your dashboard after your upload.
NAMING
To facilitate an accurate file naming, you should look for the link to the business menu visible on the app that we have in the assignment page. You should open this link during the photoshoot to validate the dish names with the on-site contact (the menu in the app is not the same as the menu available in the business). The names of the items you photograph must be the exact same ones that will be available in the app, otherwise your assignment won't be validated.
Kindly rename your files following this structure:
For single menu items: Dish_Name.jpg
For Hero shots: Hero.jpg
Examples:
Cheeseburger_with_fries.jpg
Hero.jpg
Please make sure you upload your files to the correct category, and then confirm when you've finish the uploading process by clicking on send all media to send the files to OCUS.
⚠️ Send your pictures before midnight on the day of the photoshoot. ⚠️ Keep your RAW files until your assignment is validated.
PHOTOSHOOT OVERVIEW
Your goal is to take enticing photos that make people eager to order food from the platform.
⚠️ Remember to always shoot your photos in RAW format, but only upload JPG files to the OCUS platform. If you need to ask us any question, you can use the link at the bottom of this page to visit our Help Center, and we'll be happy to help you.
EQUIPMENT
Full frame or APS-C
General settings:
ISO 400 max
35-80mm (full frame)
General settings:
Aperture: f/8 - f/16
Accessories
Mandatory:
Tripod
Reflector
Grey card
LIGHTING
Natural (indirect) light is proffered, but you can still use a flash if you're able to do so.
You also need to use a reflector to brighten shadows on the opposite side of the item.
Avoid noticeable reflections in the table
Single Product
Single dish pictures are used for individual menu items, and they showcase how these are sold to clients through the app.
It can be a main dish, a drink or both (if they are sold together), sometimes they can include side dishes or a bigger portion for more than one person, please remember to always put the main element in the center of the frame.
Set a 45° angle by default for most dishes
20° for burgers and sandwiches
60° for soups, bowls, pizzas, etc.
Quantity
Amount of "Products" requested in your assignment
Do
Center the dish and anticipate the 5:4 crop ratio OCUS is going to apply, we need to avoid cropping the plate (check example below).
Horizontal format only.
Dish should be completely sharp and ingredients clearly visible to understand its content.
Props related to the ingredients or business identity must be added to increase the aesthetic of the photo (except for standard, canned drinks)
Option: Creatively add decoration props in the background when possible.
Don't
Do not photograph elements/products that won’t be delivered to the customer.
Don't shoot plastic containers nor food directly on the table. In case you have no plate, you can use a board or a paper napkin.
Camera settings
Shutter Speed - 1/150
35-75mm (full frame)
Aperture > f/8 - f/16
ISO 100 - 400 max.
Tripod, Reflector.
Horizontal/45°
Product composition
The Hero shot is the first photo of the business that the users of the app are going to see before when they are looking for something to order.
It's composed of a main dish surrounded by other dishes and decorative props. A minimum of 3 dishes is required for this type of photo.
Quantity
Amount of "Products" requested in your assignment
Do
Place a dish in the center, then others around it (check the visual examples below).
Use a 90° angle for all plates, 45° remain an exception for drinks and bottles hero shot.
Leave little space between the dishes, so the composition looks plentiful.
Remember to compose your photo with enough room, so OCUS can apply a 5:4 crop ratio and keep the other dishes visible.
Background needs to be clean of dust, crumbs.
Option: creatively add decoration and props behind or next to the products
Don't
Don’t include cutlery or chopsticks in the composition unless the business manager requests it.
Don't show hands in the frame.
Don't shoot plastic containers nor food directly on the table. In case you have no plate, you can use a board or a paper napkin.
Camera settings
30 - 60mm (full frame)
shutter speed - 1/150
Aperture > f/8 - f/16
ISO 100 - 400 max.
Tripod, Reflector
Horizontal/90°