Food and drink

This entry is all about the arrangement. The eye for culinary detail is just as important – if not more important – than the photography. The lighting has produced minimal shadows, forming a clean and minimalist look. The 35mm equivalent focal length of 51mm has also ensured minimal distortion.

This image has been realized in the finest detail. A macro lens has been used to magnify each tiny imperfection and sharpness is evident right to the edge of the frame. The colours are particularly striking, due to the contrast between the cool and warm hues. The photographer should be applauded for working quickly too, as there’s no evidence of melted ice (not easy when working under lights).

Instagram is bursting with tantalizing food flat lays, and they don’t come much better than this. We love how the vibrant berries pop against the many light blue hues, and the rustic cloth is the perfect accompaniment for the rustic bowel of produce.

The shallow depth of field guides the viewer’s gaze towards the striking orange fish roe. The otherwise soft hues reflect the delicate nature of the sushi roll, and the garnish further emphasizes the focal point of this thoughtfully formed image.

When Elly asked her husband to pick her up a pepper, she failed to mention that it would be the subject of a photo. The vegetable she received was far from perfect, but the shoot went ahead anyway. The result is a clean capture that wouldn’t look out of place on an advertisement. And yet, the pepper’s imperfections jar with this aesthetic, adding a layer of meaning that otherwise wouldn’t have existed.

This image is made all the more impressive when you realize it isn’t a composite. A bottle cutter was used to slice the subject, and the top half was subsequently resealed and refilled with wine. Remarkably, the photograph was lit using multiple table lamps and not studio lights. Such ingenuity is a great reminder that creativity can trump almost any problem.

This is a particularly clever image that freezes an exciting moment of action. The many droplets of gin are mesmerizing and the bottle label provides a clear focal point. We do ask all NPOTY entrants not to include watermarks in their photos, but we had to at least mention this fantastic food-themed image.