It might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many food photos there are on Instagram that don’t adhere to this simple rule. Steady your phone to avoid shaking the camera, and focus on a point near the middle of your dish or its most appetising detail, like the interior of an apple crumble.
For the best #foodporn, try taking an overhead shot of your food or duck down to meet your plate at a 30 to 45 degree angle from the table.
If you’re really serious about your photos and want to try your luck at becoming a professional foodie, you’ll want to invest in a good camera. Unlike a phone, a camera with manual settings offer better control in low light (for instance, a restaurant after dark) and lenses that allow you to narrow your depth of field to really highlight the subject of the photo. You can then also use photography software to tweak the contrast, levels and sharpness of your photos to make them pop.
While we’re not all blessed with marble worktops and rustic wooden dining tables, the key to a great food photo is the background. Keep your cupboards stocked with interesting-looking crockery and set the scene with different tablecloths or pick up some printed vinyl backdrops.
Unfortunately food has a tendency to look tired very fast, so to avoid wilted herbs and melted ice cream you'll have to work fast. If you’re shooting a home cooked meal, it’s best to get your props out before cooking, then plating up only when everything's completely ready.
