Hello Local Guides! I’m Anna, the Photo Lead for the Local Guides team.
We know you love contributing photos on Google Maps, and we love that you post them! We also love food, and going to local restaurants. That’s why we’re dedicating the month of July to celebrating local food culture through photography.
To kick things off, here are a few tips to make your shots stand out on Google Maps — and get lots of views, along with 4 posts here on Connect with some photography tips by renowned food photographers on Instagram:
- Why you should play with your food
- The lighting tip that makes food look delicious
- For better photos, pretend your dessert is a model
- How to find the best angle for any food photo
And remember: “The best camera is the one you have with you.”
It’s one of my favorite quotes from photographer Chase Jarvis. You don’t need a big fancy camera to shoot great photos. It just takes a few tips and some practice. Ask any questions in the comments, and stay tuned for livestream interviews with photographers every week, starting in Los Angeles and concluding in Bangkok.
Tip 1: Avoid shooting in dark places — daylight is ideal
We don’t expect you to change your entire eating schedule to dine during the day, but in general, it’s very difficult to take beautiful photos in dark places.
We highly recommend that you use daylight to shoot your photos. A candle or a flash from your phone’s camera just won’t be able to capture what a restaurant or dish looks like in real life.
If you MUST take a photo of the food at night, have a friend (or two) turn on their phone flashlights. Then hold the light evenly over your dish.
Tip 2: Try a few angles before you share the best shot
Don’t assume that the first photo you shoot will be your best, and don’t be shy about spending a little time trying out different angles of the same dish. Sometimes a dish looks better from above. Sometimes you may want to photograph it from the side to show off the layers of a cake or a delicious piece of sushi. There’s no one way to do it.
Take a little extra time to make sure that shot looks its best!
Tip 3: Step back or zoom out to capture more
The texture of your dish may look interesting in person, but it’s hard to capture. Getting too close with your camera also misses an opportunity to show off other cool details and a festive, full spread of dishes.
We recommend taking a step back to photograph the full dish **—**as well as other items on the table. That way the space and vibe of the restaurant will also come through.
Tip 4: Shoot horizontally to display well on Google Maps
Cell phones are vertical so it’s easy to shoot that way too, but it’s not always the best way. Turn your phone on its side when taking photos to share on Google Maps. They’ll display better.
Tip 5: Take a bite, leave some crumbs, let the yolk run — it adds personality!
Don’t be afraid to play with your food! Take a shot as soon as it’s delivered to your table, but then get another one after you’ve taken a bite. Some foods look even better after you’ve had a bite, taken a slice, or let it melt a bit. It lets the viewer imagine a taste of the dish too!
Want more tips? Check back to Connect every Thursday this month. Our food photography experts will be giving their own personal tips to show you how to shoot great food photos!
