When you’ve got fresh veggies and tortillas, it’s hard not to want to capture their natural beauty before they hit the frying pan. So, I grabbed my trusty Canon R5 and EF100mm f/2.8L Macro lens and got to work in our home studio. Let me walk you through the setup and the result of a mini food photography shoot that showcases how macro photography can turn ordinary ingredients into works of art.
The Gear
For this shoot, I used the Canon R5, one of Canon's mirrorless powerhouses, paired with the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens. Why this lens? Because it’s an absolute beast for close-up work and brings out texture like nothing else. Whether it’s the smooth curves of a bell pepper or the intricate layers of an onion, this lens picks up the details that might get lost with a standard zoom. Plus, the 100mm focal length gives you a natural-looking perspective, without the distortion you might get from wider lenses.
The Setup
Shot in my home studio, a.k.a. my kitchen, I used a simple backdrop of a dark wood table and a textured blue wall that mimics an old-world feel, adding depth to the image without distracting from the food. I didn’t go crazy with lighting—just a large softbox to the side to replicate natural light and a reflector to bounce some of that soft light back into the shadows. The Canon R5’s dynamic range really helped capture the subtle transitions between light and shadow, giving these shots that “I want to eat that now” feeling.
Getting Close with the Macro Lens
The EF 100mm Macro lens really shines when it comes to close-up shots of food. Whether you’re focusing on the texture of the tortillas or the glossy skin of a green bell pepper, the lens picks up every detail. The sharpness is insane, and the bokeh (that dreamy, out-of-focus background) isolates the subject beautifully. In these shots, you can see how the macro detail highlights the fresh, raw nature of each ingredient. Every vein in the zucchini, every crinkle in the onion's outer layer—it’s all there.
The Photos: A Closer Look
- Shot 1: The Stack
The first image is a classic food arrangement on a cutting board. Green bell pepper, tomatoes, onions, tortillas, and garlic all laid out as if they’re just about to become a taco masterpiece. Notice how the macro focus is on the center, with the onion taking center stage. The background falls into a soft blur, thanks to the wide f/2.8 aperture, which draws the viewer’s attention to the texture and shape of the ingredients.
- Shot 2: Flat Lay Love
A flat lay always feels clean and direct. In this top-down shot, the ingredients are spread out over the board, giving it a more organized feel, but also keeping the color contrast between the zucchini, tomatoes, and tortillas front and center. The Canon R5’s 45MP sensor really helps here, capturing every detail in crisp focus.
- Shot 3 & 4: A Little Raw Spice
The third and fourth shots play with the rustic wood tones against the vegetables, using a bit more shadow to add depth. The carrot’s ridges and the subtle sheen on the pepper really pop thanks to the clarity of the lens and the subtle side lighting. That random cinnamon stick and chili add a bit of flair, because why not?
Why Macro for Food Photography?
The beauty of a macro lens is that it makes you appreciate the details. Those little imperfections that make food real—a tiny scratch on the skin of a tomato, the rough surface of a carrot, the papery layers of an onion. When you’re up close, those details don’t just show up, they demand your attention. For anyone serious about food photography, especially those looking to highlight raw ingredients or even plated dishes, investing in a macro lens like the EF 100mm f/2.8 is a game-changer.
Final Thoughts
With the Canon R5 and the EF100mm Macro, it’s easy to make your ingredients look like they’re straight out of a food magazine. The level of detail, combined with the R5’s 45MP resolution, means these shots are not only great for blogs but could easily be printed and hung on the wall (maybe in the kitchen as a reminder that veggies are pretty awesome). If you’re into food photography and want to add some extra flavor to your images, grab this combo and see how the details come alive.
Back in my day, we took food photos with film and hoped for the best. Now? Well, let's just say my veggies look sharper than my 90s wardrobe.
Just saying…
Captured with: Canon EOS R5 and EF100 L f2.8 Macro lens | Edited using: Lightroom & Skylum Luminar AI
All photos are my own work. For more details, visit my website or explore my links.
Curious about the gear I use? Check it all out here.
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