#13. Filter Wisely (or not at all)
Photo filters on different photo apps like Instagram and online photo editors can be fun. They can also enhance the look of your images in a positive way. But use them judiciously. Unless there’s a reason to turn the white rice blue or fade the color in an image, take it easy on the filters. If you are creating art or have some reason to use them, awesome. If it is part of your creative style or you just want to do something unique, rock on! Otherwise it looks amateur!
Adding a blue or high contrast filter to food might be creative, but it doesn't reveal the food very well. Image from Instagram.
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Using a filter to remove contrast makes sense for some images, but since online filters apply globally (over the whole image) it doesn't' typically work with food shots. This filter is probably trying to look vintage. Cool, but it doesn't lend itself to a great food photo. Image from Instagram.
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This goes for filters on your camera as well. The photos above are added with editing software. The pictures below are from an in camera "filter". It's sort of the dumbing down of food photography because it tries to replicate a process that narrows the depth of field. As you see, it does a terrible job. If you enlarge the photo by clicking on it you will really see how bad it is. Don't get sucked in with amateur tricks!
This shot was taken using the "Food Filter" on a Galaxy Note 8- a really nice camera for a phone rig. But the filter tries to create Bokeh (blurry background) in the photo which blurs out really important parts of the composition (like most of the food!) Click to enlarge.
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Here's the same burger using the same phone, without the food filter. Notice how the food is in focus and the background still blurry.
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