Ever since I started using Instagram, I thought food was the most fun to photograph. Back then, Instagram wasn’t a popularity contest, and you never saw 100+ likes on a photo unless it was sponsored or owned by a corporation. Now Instagram has taken the former role of Facebook; twenty-somethings now prefer Instagram for posting pictures to be seen by thousands of “friends”. My first photo was of my favorite homemade Christmas cookies, my seventh was of a fruit arrangement at a hip Austin restaurant, my 22ndwas of a Banana Crème Tart I bought at the Culinary Institute of America at San Antonio’s café. They may have gotten one or five likes, but it wasn’t about how many people saw my photo; the fun of Instagram was posting things you love that have good memories associated with them. For me, it was a collage of all the unique places I’ve been, food I ate, and people I was with.
I wish things were the same now, but like most social networks Instagram has drifted away from the photography focus to the social arena. I admit, my posts are definitely more “selfie” oriented than they used to be. That aside, for those of you who are still dedicated to posting drool-worthy photos that make your friends jealous beyond belief, The Savory posted great tips for making your cheesecakes, salmon, and old fashioneds look top notch for all your thousands of “friends”.
The Famous Filters
Normal: If you’re at an outdoor restaurant around dusk or during an early morning breakfast, this may be your option. Surprisingly, many food photos look best with #nofilter.
Amaro: This filter is great at adding depth to an otherwise mundane plate. In some cases, it can also make your food look faded; use in darker restaurants or pubs. Beware of outdoor places where overexposure could become a problem.
Mayfair: This pink-toned filter adds brightness to the center of your food pic. It isn’t too good for dishes with multiple components. Stick to a steak or an individual course. Use in well-lit situations.
Rise: Like a sunrise (duh), this filter gives warmth and a sunny feel. It can enhance the yellow of your roasted corn, but it also unfortunately hides texture in food.
Hudson: This filter adds blue-ish tones. Use to “capture the sharpness of a dish or evoke the minerality of a wine with this one.”
Valencia: Valencia also seems to fade your photo a bit. Use for an added glow at a diner.
X-Pro II: “Compare X-Pro to adding acid to a dish.” Utilize this filter to accentuate bright colorful vegetables or dishes with contrasting elements like ratatouille.
Sierra: This filter adds a daydream-ish appearance. It creates a mood, but doesn’t necessarily aid the appearance of your second course. “Test on fall pumpkins or a dreamy jam and toast spread.”
Lo-Fi: “This is the caviar of food filters. Lo-Fi adds richness and warmth.” Eat your heart out.
Earlybird: “Earlybird is great for classic American cocktails, themed dinner parties and retro-inspired dishes.”
Sutro: Like it sounds, this mysterious filter heightens purples and browns. Consider pot roast or eggplant.
Toaster: The name toaster describes the burnt aspect of this filter and will ultimately make your food look over cooked. “Only use this filter on food when the lighting is impeccable.”
Brannan: “This filter creates high contrast by richening deep colors and softening neutrals.” Not the best filter for close-up food shots.
Walden: This romantic lens gives a dreamy effect too. Try to use for sophisticated scenarios like high tea or when drinking a sparkling rosé.
Hefe: “With a slightly lower exposure than Lo-Fi, Hefe offers high saturation and high contrast.” Get up-close and personal with your dynamic pizza or brightly decorated birthday cakes.
Nashville: “This film adds a pinkish tint that makes everything seem just a bit more like a 1960s playground.” Try a basket of muffins or a warm bowl of soup—comfy food.
1977: Use on “fun foods like cupcakes and chicken wings.” The 70s tinged filter is so dramatic that unless your food is as interesting as the filter, your subject might fade in comparison.
Kelvin: Think “Indian summer.” The only suggestion here is to use with plenty of light, otherwise, I would skip this one for food.
Willow and Inkwell: “Only use these black-and-white filters when shadows are in play.” Color is one of the most appealing characteristics of food, so unless you’re using high contrast subjects like black espresso in a white cup, these black-and-white filters will only take away from your delicious, color-filled plates.
