Professional food stylists and photographers have all sorts of tricks to make their photos look good, from brushing meats with shoe polish, to giving fruits a shiny lustre with a quick coat of hairspray. For the rest of us, however, actually being able to consume our masterpieces is far more important than being able to take a good picture of it. Fortunately, there are several easy tricks that can make your food photos better, with minimal distraction from your ultimate goal of eating.

Tip #1: Keep it Clean

Composition is an important part of any good photograph, and a quick survey of the scene can make a world of difference when photographing your food. If you are shooting in the kitchen, clear off the area surrounding your plate, so that it is free of utensils, empty food containers, and rolls of paper towels. While you've got those paper towels in your hand, wipe off the countertop around your plate, as well as any stray sauces and smudges on the plate itself.

Tip #2: Keep it Light

An abundance of natural light is ideal for photographing your food. You'll get the best colors, and  a very flattering appearance. If you don't have natural light available, turn on as many lights in the room as possible, to make a spot that is evenly lit, without too many shadows or overly bright spots. If at all possible, avoid using your flash, especially if it is built-in to your camera. The flash will flatten all the fine nuances of your dish, and add awkward reflections and a greasy look to your meal. If you're using an SLR, a fast lens (for example, a lens with a maximum apeture of f/1.4 or f/1.8) will help in taking great shots in lower light situations, like at a fine restaurant.

Tip #3: Balance the Color

Adjusting your digital camera's white balance is the number one easy step you can take to improve your photos. When you use the default automatic settings on your camera, you can end up with an an overly blue or orange cast on your photos, especially when using indoor lighting. This is unflattering in any photo, but especially unappetizing when you're looking at grey eggs or blue bacon.

Tip #4: Zoom In / Zoom Out

Photographing your perfectly plated masterpiece is satisfying, but you can get a lot of great shots by changing your perspective. Zoom in on a particularly delectable morsel. Take a picture from table-level. Play with your apeture and focal length to shift focus and depth of field across the various components in the viewfinder. Hold your camera directly above the plate, but watch out for shadows, and don't get
your camera strap in your soup!

Tip #5: The Fresher, The Better

Finally, remember that in photography, just as in eating, the fresher the food, the better. Melted cheese will go from beautifully silky, to waxy and congealed, in just a few moments. A crisp salad will turn from glistening and fresh, to greasy and limp, before you know it. If you're cooking at home, take pictures of the process. Take pictures of the plating. And when the final product is set out on the table, be ready to snap your shots and start eating.