How to edit food photos for instagram that'll make everyone hungry IRL

From flat fries to Instagram-worthy eats: discover how to turn your food photos into mouth-watering masterpieces.

Tally Moran
1
min read
Food photography edited with Facetune
Table of contents:

Let's spill the secret sauce – those drool-worthy food pics filling your feed? They're not just about having a fancy camera or perfect lighting (though that helps). Whether you're a foodie influencer or just want your cake photo to look as good as it tasted, I'm about to serve up all the editing tips that'll make your food pics look like they belong in a Michelin-starred restaurant's feed.

Facetune’s basic editing tools

Food photography editing tips that'll change your game

  1. Clean up the scene Nobody wants to see that random napkin photobombing your perfect pasta shot:
  • Use Facetune's remove tool to zap away any distracting elements
  • Clean up messy backgrounds faster than your mom saying "don't play with your food"
  • Pro tip: Remove water spots on glasses for that crystal-clear cocktail shot
  1. Make colors pop (without looking fake) Because editing food photography is all about making it look naturally delicious:
  • Use the vibrance tool instead of straight saturation for realistic color enhancement
  • Enhance specific colors (make those tomatoes redder than your ex's flags)
  • Pro tip: Don't go overboard – if it looks like radioactive food, you've gone too far
  1. Sharpen like a chef's knife Detail is everything when you edit food photos:
  • Use the sharpen tool to make textures pop
  • Enhance the crispy edges of your fried foods
  • Make every sprinkle on that cupcake visible
  • Pro tip: Zoom in while sharpening to avoid over-processing

How to edit food photos like a pro

  1. Background magic The secret to those professional-looking shots:
  • Blur the background to make your food the star
  • Use AI enhance to add depth to flat-looking photos
  • Change or remove distracting backgrounds entirely
  • Pro tip: A subtle blur beats a harsh one every time
  1. Light it up No perfect lighting? No problem:
  • Use the whiten tool (yes, the same one for teeth!) to brighten plates and tablecloths
  • Enhance highlights to make your food picture editor game strong
  • Add strategic shadows for depth
  • Pro tip: Brighten the food itself slightly more than the surroundings
  1. Drinks deserve love too When you need to edit drinks and make them look refreshing:
  • Remove reflections from glass surfaces
  • Enhance ice cube clarity
  • Make bubbles in champagne more visible
  • Add sparkle to glassware
  • Pro tip: Use the details tool to make condensation on cold drinks pop
  1. Sweet treats secrets Ready to edit cake photos that'll make everyone swipe up?
  • Enhance the texture of frosting
  • Make sprinkles and decorations stand out
  • Sharpen those layers (because we love a good cross-section)
  • Pro tip: Use selective adjustments to make different elements of the dessert pop
  1. The finishing touches Take your food pics from "meh" to "omg need":
  • Add a subtle vignette to draw attention to the center
  • Play with temperature to set the mood (warmer for cozy comfort food, cooler for fresh dishes)
  • Use presets in the discover feed specifically designed for food photography
  • Pro tip: Save your favorite editing combinations as presets for consistent food content
drink and dessert editing

Remember: The goal isn't to make your food look fake – it's to make it look as good in photos as it does in real life (or maybe just a tiny bit better... we won't tell).

Pro tip: Before posting, ask yourself: "Would I want to eat this right now?" If the answer is yes, you've nailed it. If the answer is no, maybe dial back some of those edits.

Now go forth and make those food pics so good, they should come with a warning: "Do not scroll while hungry." 🍽️✨

Bonus tip: Keep Facetune handy for those spontaneous food moments – because sometimes the best meals deserve better than bad lighting and shaky hands!

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Tally Moran
Facetune's copywriter, always on the pulse of new trends, ensuring your selfies and content capture the spotlight with style and ease.
Join a community of 200M+ and discover why Facetune is the world's top selfie editor.

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Bring out your best self in your selfies with Facetune
Join a community of 200M+ and discover why Facetune is the world's top selfie editor. Experience the fastest and easiest way to edit with our ultimate one-tap tools, made for every skill level.

Experiment with new looks, shine on social media & never run out of inspiration.
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