11 Smartphone Photo Tips To Up Your Foodie Game

Focus in on what's important. And don't be afraid to unleash your new skills on the new menu at Bonefish Grill.

1. Be patient.

justin lincoln / CC BY_SA http://2.0 / Flickr: justinlincoln

Unlike subjects that can walk, fly, jump, or roll away, your food isn't going anywhere. Get the shot you want.

2. Make sure the lens is clean.

Elizabeth Marie / Moment / Getty Images

Whether it's you or the gunk in your pocket, just about anything could be in the way.

3. Don't zoom.

Don Bayley / E+ / Getty Images

Sure, your phone CAN zoom, but that doesn't mean your photo won't look incredibly blurry. If you realize you need to be closer after the photo's been taken, just crop it.

4. Get the phone in real close.

Ava Randa / CC BY-ND http://2.0 / Flickr: musicsthename

What are you, afraid of your food? It doesn't bite you, you bite it. Get real personal with your subject matter. But if that's not working for you, you can always buy a clip-on macro lens.

5. You can use nearly anything as a stabilizer.

Joe Crawford / CC BY http://2.0 / Flickr: artlung

Cassette tape holders, the table itself, another plate... or just give in and invest in a tripod.

6. Get a photography app.

Nina Matthews / CC BY http://2.0 / Flickr: 21560098@N06

To be clear: a photography app like Camera+, not an editing app. Something that'll help you actually take the photo and not just add layers or blurs to it.

7. Manually focus.

Erutuon / CC BY-SA http://2.0 / Flickr: erutuon

Usually this means double-tapping your screen to let your phone know where to focus. Otherwise, get your subject right in the middle and don't worry about everything on the sides.

8. Check the lighting.

bark / CC BY http://2.0 / Flickr: barkbud

Get a friend to use something (their smartphone!) to light the subject from behind your camera, otherwise your picture will likely be out of focus and have this ungainly lens flare.

9. Special rules apply for candles.

Chris Gilmore / CC BY-SA http://2.0 / Flickr: gilmorec

Make the subjects the focus so the candles aren't the only thing in the shot; having that friend providing bonus lighting absolutely helps, but double-check to make sure your flash is off or the candles will be drowned out.

10. In fact, just keep the flash off by default.

Travis Rigel Lukas Hornung / CC BY http://2.0 / Flickr: awfulshot

Nothing's ever been made better by a smartphone camera flash. Get more light and get in closer again.

11. Use the rule of thirds.

David Blaikie / CC BY http://2.0 / Flickr: nikonvscanon

You know that tic-tac-toe setup that appears whenever you open up your photography app? Use it to split your composition into the world's most aesthetically pleasing simple formula.

Try out the rule of thirds and these other smartphone tips on the new menu items at Bonefish Grill.

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