1. Don't overcrowd the shot 

 

Don't try and capture too much in a single image, especially if it's going to be cropped and uploaded to Instagram anyway. Focus on a key area, such as the sheen of an egg yolk¹ or a steak's pink centre, but not so closely a viewer won't be able to tell what it is. 

 

2. Consider the lighting 

 

Using a flash in a dim restaurant will bleach² your food of any defining features and splashes of colour. A plate will always look better in natural light, but when sunshine is out of the question, make sure you're focused on using as much of the available light as possible, or try and use the shadow to your advantage. 

 

3. Keep it steady 

 

Tuck your elbows closely into your sides to keep the camera as stable as possible and avoid blurring³. Optical image stabilisation on smartphones including the HTC 10, LG G5 and iPhone 6s Plus can also help to keep this to a minimum. 

 

4. Move things around 

 

Too many people ruin what would be a perfectly⁴ good shot by failing to consider the backdrop properly. Make sure all menus and unruly napkins are out of sight, alongside any dirty cutlery or smartphones on the table, and let the food take centre-stage. 

 

5. Consider using a proper camera 

 

While smartphone cameras are increasingly capable, they don't all come with the array of functions and lenses as you can achieve with a DSLR. If you're serious about your Instagramming, changing lenses is helpful to achieve focus.

 

6. Use the widest aperture⁵ possible 

 

This will only apply to those using full cameras, but using the widest aperture available to you will ensure the maximum level of light, allowing the majority of focus on the foreground. 

 

7. Add oil or water 

 

Adding oil or water to food, particularly salad or vegetables, adds an appealing glisten⁶ that works well on camera. This can help avoid the meal looking flat or like it's been sat out for a few hours, which it might well have.

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