You don’t need lots of kit to take successful food photos, but it’s important to choose a quality camera and the right lenses for your subject. A full-frame body will give you a better depth of field, and handle noise more effectively in low light. In terms of optics, a macro lens will allow you to focus much closer to your subject and create intimate scenes. A 50mm f/1.8 lens is also a popular option, as the wide aperture makes it easy to blur backgrounds. This type of lens is very affordable across brands, and the light size and construction makes it easy to hand-hold.
We’ll talk about the essentials of lighting, both natural and artificial, in more detail later, but as a kit overview, light modifiers and flashguns can…