We've spent countless hours devouring over pictures of greasy burgers and chocolate sandwiches on Instagram. Sauces shine, breads boast of great texture and contrasting colours hit the right note. Each picture sends us running to the kitchen and looks as crafty as the pictures from glossy food magazines.
1. LightNatural light can make a world of difference to your pictures. It can brighten up a dull day as well as your meal. Sit by a window or in a well-lit place and work your camera. If you're clicking in the middle of the day, move away from direct sunlight or use an app to diffuse the extra light. You could also sit with your back to the light and let it reflect over your shoulders (preferably over one of your shoulders).Rule of thumb: Do not use flash!
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2. Take the top down approach or shoot from multiple anglesDeciding which approach to take depends on what's in front of you. If you're clicking something like a pizza which has more going on at the top, take the top down approach and get the entire thing in the frame. On the other hand, if you're clicking food placed in elegant bowls, like Indian food which comes in gorgeous copper utensils, then make sure to try front angles which capture more of the cutlery.
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3. Don't be afraid to get close
The devil's is in the details. So don't be afraid to get really close and capture the texture, colour and everything else, right down to the last grain. Like this bright yellow, runny yolk that's making you drool.
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4. Keep the phone steady Keep your hands extremely steady and hold the frame till auto-focus works (the frame that appears when you start your camera). This will let you capture the right textures of every element on the plate.
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5. Use props when possibleProps are very important when clicking a good food picture. Play around with cutlery, table mats, condiments and flower arrangements to make the frame come alive. The contrasting colours make the dish stand out. For example, the white paper liner and the bouquet in the background is what's making this frame look complete.
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If you want to click pictures that can get someone's heart racing, then don't be afraid to experiment. Hold your food high up against a gorgeous backdrop, or set it down on a bold table cover, but keep trying till you get the perfect shot. If you've got any more tips and tricks you'd like to share with us and many other budding (amateur) food photographers, then put them in the comments below.