There are those who think the perfect photo consists of majestic mountains towering over a serene lake, a city silhouetted in front of a colorful sunset or maybe the Golden Gate Bridge cloaked in fog.
Others would say the ideal shot contains a taco smothered in salsa and guacamole, paired with a side of borracho beans.
At Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, we consider ourselves patrons of the arts, but we might have a different conception of what exactly constitutes “art.” Last we checked, a basket containing a jumbo burrito or triangles of quesadilla is definitely a Kodak Moment™ in our book. Here are some helpful hints on how to turn your meal into a masterpiece:
Determine your plan of attack
So you’re sitting there with a perfect set of tacos in front of you and want the world to see what you’re seeing. Instead of just haphazardly whipping your phone out and snapping away, consider how you want to frame the photo so it accurately represents what you’re seeing in real life. Yes, there is technique to this.
The “Top Down” method
Some say the best way to take a picture of your food is directly above the dish so it’s perfectly symmetrical on both axes.
“Whoa, whoa, you’re using words like ‘symmetrical’ and ‘axes.’ What is this? An SAT prep course?”
Hey, we’re just trying to educate here. You’ll probably have to stand up to take the photo, which will likely draw attention in a crowded restaurant. Make sure the photo is worth the dirty looks and eye rolls that come your way.
Get up close and personal
If the lighting and focus are just right, you can get uncomfortably close to that enchilada so it fills up the entire frame. Invade your food’s personal space to get richer texture and, well, you paid for it after all.
Lighting
If you can, try and sit under a light or near a window to light your subject. Too much direct light, however, will not turn out well. Avoid using a flash at all costs. This is a total rookie move and will anger all patrons within a 15-foot radius. You can always use the flashlight from your friend’s phone to provide some additional lighting, but seriously, do it quick and then start chowing down.
Focus in
In the perfect conditions, focusing on your food should be a breeze. Just make sure to tap on your phone’s screen to focus, while holding the phone as still as you can. (If you can’t hold your phone still, try decaf.) A blurry food photo is about as appealing as cafeteria food leftovers.
Food in the air
If you think you’re a pro, try holding your food up in the air at the same level as something picturesque in the background (e.g., a Fuzzy’s Taco Shop sign). It’s all the rage on the ’Gram these days, but it’s a lot easier said than done.
Make sure the food is appealing
All these tips are in vain if the food you’re shooting looks unappetizing. Lucky for you, everything on the menu at Fuzzy’s is worth a photo opp or two.
If you have the foresight to use the hashtag #FuzzysTacoShop, more people will have the chance to enjoy your food shot, and you may just get a repost from us (hint, hint).
Though our app has great filters to choose from, you may want to go the extra mile and use one of these food-photography apps to finish the job.
We’re a firm believer in the saying, “If you’re going to do something, do it well.” You can tell by how awesome our food is, right? So stop by to your nearest Fuzzy’s Taco Shop today and channel your inner Ansel Adams, Fuzzy’s style.
