Food photographers have an arsenal of tricks up their sleeves to make food look delicious on camera. And more often than not, these hacks make use of non-edible products that aren’t appetizing. Blossom has created an eye-opening video that reveals the dirty (sometimes literally) little tricks of food photographers.



Watch the 2.5-minute video here:

Here’s a rundown of the tricks shown in the video (watch the video to see how each one looks on camera):

Cardboard spacers add height to food

add height to food Motor oil is a syrup substitute that doesn’t absorb into pancakes

is a syrup substitute that doesn’t absorb into pancakes Toothpicks hold ingredients in place

hold ingredients in place Makeup sponge can add height to a burger

can add height to a burger Vegetable oil adds a juicy look to meat

adds a juicy look to meat Glue is a milk substitute that doesn’t make cereal soggy

is a milk substitute that doesn’t make cereal soggy Dish soap creates longer lasting foam in fizzy drinks

creates longer lasting foam in fizzy drinks Corn syrup and food coloring can create ice cream that doesn’t melt

can create ice cream that doesn’t melt Super glue repairs tears in bird skin

repairs tears in bird skin Browning liquid can be made to shoot raw birds without roasting

can be made to shoot raw birds without roasting Shaving cream is used as whipped cream that doesn’t melt

is used as whipped cream that doesn’t melt Ramekins can be used to keep garnishes on the surfaces of soup

can be used to keep garnishes on the surfaces of soup Tampons are soaked and microwaved to create steam

You can find more food photography hacks here, here, here, and here. You can also find more of Blossom’s videos on its YouTube channel and Facebook page.