Six ways to shoot…

Cutlery and utensils

1 Keep it simple

Like so many things in photography, simplicity is the key to success. Don’t clutter your composition with too many objects when one carefully placed and well-lit subject will create a cleaner and more effective photograph.

2 Direct lighting

Use direct lighting to accentuate shape, form and texture. You don’t need expensive lighting equipment: try illuminating your subject with a desk lamp or even a torch. Play around with the lighting direction to see how it changes the object’s shadow.

3 Just add water

Spraying water onto the shiny surface of the cutlery can look great, and the dampness can also add some interest to the surface they are sitting on. Water droplets can form on fork prongs; you can use these as points of focus in your shot, while the other prongs drop out of focus in the background.

4 Contrasting surfaces

Try different surfaces to place the cutlery on. Simple slate table mats or wooden chopping boards can both work a treat – especially if they have texture that contrasts with the smoothness of the metal utensil.

5 Shallow focus

Use a wide aperture to create a pleasing dropoff in focus behind the main subject. If you have a fast mediumtelephoto lens, use this at f/2.8 for a shallow depth of field. Alternatively, try shooting wide open with a macro lens.

6 Look for detail

You don’t need to photograph the whole of the subject. Instead, zoom in on the most interesting detail – especially anything that is ornate and can be used to draw the eye and hold attention. The more oldfashioned and careworn the cutlery is, the better it can look in your shot.