How to Take Perfect Instagram Shot Of Your Christmas Dinner

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A STAR food photographer has revealed how to take the perfect Instagram snap of your Christmas dinner.
Using natural light and steering clear of filters were among the top tips handed out by Brit shutterbug David Loftus, who has captured photos for the recipe books of Jamie Oliver and The Great British Bake Off's Prue Leith.
We've got tips on how to take the very best food shots for Instagram
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We've got tips on how to take the very best food shots for InstagramCredit: The Sun
Speaking to The Sun, David, who's been taking pictures of food for 20 years, gave some guidance during a lunch hosted by Sony at a lavish London restaurant this week.
Some of his top tips are below.

Don't use filters

That moody filter might work great on your bathroom selfie, but when it comes to food, it's a cardinal sin.
"Keep the images authentic and avoid using too many filters to ‘hide’ how the food really looks," David said. "Let the camera do all the work."
Filters often put strange colours on your Insta snaps, which can make your grub look a little unappetising.
At a push, a bit of vignette can put some focus on the centre of the image, but you don't need anything more than that, David said.
Filters are a big no-no
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Filters are a big no-noCredit: The Sun

Take photos near windows

David's top tip of the bunch was to use natural light wherever possible.
Unsurprisingly, it makes your food snaps look more natural than when they're snapped under the harsh glare of a light fixture.
Outside of taking your plate out the front door, placing it close to a window is a good way to take advantage of the Sun's glow.
David said natural light makes a "huge difference" to photos and is best when coming at your food from an angle, rather than right above it.
Use as much natural light as possible
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Use as much natural light as possibleCredit: The Sun

Snap from above

While it's possible to get great photos of your lunch from the side, taking them from above is your best bet, David said.
This is because chefs – or relatives if you're at home – plate food while looking at it from on high.
If it's been arranged from this angle, then that's almost certainly the angle it looks best from.
This rule is particularly handy if you're at a restaurant, where chefs expertly arrange your grub before serving – perfect for that elegant Insta brag.
Try and take your photos from directly above the plate
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Try and take your photos from directly above the plateCredit: The Sun

Use the law of thirds

An oldie but a goldie, using the law of thirds is an easy way to take your Christmas Instagram game to the next level.
It'll help you line up your framing in a way that's pleasing to the eye.
"Your dish should take up two thirds of your frame, leaving one third blank," David explained.
"Alternatively, take up one third of the frame with food and leave two thirds blank."
Most phone cameras have an option to add a grid of lines to the viewfinder to help you with this.
Instagram even has a grid in the app's photo editing tool.
Use the rule of thirds when taking photos. Most phone cameras have a handy grid you can turn on in your camera app's settings to give you a helping hand
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Use the rule of thirds when taking photos. Most phone cameras have a handy grid you can turn on in your camera app's settings to give you a helping handCredit: The Sun

Use objects around you to help you shoot

Everyday objects can give you a helping hand when snapping your food.
At a restaurant, a menu is a great way to block out aggressive light from a fixture, David said.
Menus can also reflect light and add a backdrop if you're snapping at a dark location.
If you need a steady hand, grab a water bottle and use it as a tripod to rest your phone on.
You can always use a bottle as a tripod for your phone to steady your hand. Pictured is David showing the technique off himself
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You can always use a bottle as a tripod for your phone to steady your hand. Pictured is David showing the technique off himselfCredit: The Sun

Employ your phone's 'portrait' effect

Lastly, take advantage of some of the camera features that come with your phone.
Most modern mobiles – particularly any with two cameras or more – now come with a "portrait" or "bokeh" mode.
It blurs the background while keeping the subject of the photo in focus for a professional-looking shot.
According to David, the effect works just as well for food as it does for portraits.
"Use the bokeh effect if it's there," he said.
"Hold your hand very steady as the phone is doing a lot of work for you. This gives a really delicious effect."
All photos in this story were shot using the Sony Xperia 5 smartphone on default settings.

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