#13. Filter Wisely (or not at all)

Adding a blue or high contrast filter to food might be creative, but it doesn't reveal the food very well. Image from Instagram

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! ​​

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.

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!) It can look pretty bad. Best bet is usually not to use filters. Click to enlarge.

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.