The Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A71’s powerful quad camera features a 5MP Macro camera that, compared to a normal camera lens, can capture a subject and all its intricate detailing at a 30 to 50 mm range. To see this revolutionary close-up technology in action, Samsung Global Newsroom used the Galaxy A51’s Macro lens to take the best shots of 12 different appetizing desserts. What new worlds of detailing will the Macro lens uncover?

Getting Up Close and Personal with Surface Details

One of the benefits of a camera such as the Macro lens on the Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A71 is its ability to capture details that human eyes aren’t capable of perceiving. Not only does the Macro lens record all of an object’s surface detailing, it is able to focus on a subject automatically without any need for the user to manually adjust the settings.

▲ The image taken with the Macro camera vividly captures the tiny water droplets on this dessert that has come fresh out of the refrigerator

▲ Resembling a snowy field, the fine rice flour on this dessert comes through vividly in the picture on the right-hand side

▲ The glassy surface of this strawberry mousse cake appears extra iridescent when photographed with the Macro camera

Top Tips: How to Become an Expert Food Photographer

① Be aware of lighting!

In order to take a good close-up picture of food, you need to be aware of your light source. For general portrait-orientation photography, one is advised to avoid any kind of backlight from behind a subject. But food photography is different because it is about adding three-dimensionality to two-dimensional details. If you can use backlighting well, you can harness light effects to showcase the dynamism of your subject, such as its glittering moisture or its vivid colors.

Bringing Out Every Texture

The different textures of a dessert don’t just make it enjoyable to eat – they make a sweet treat enjoyable to photograph, too. Once you have ascertained the most compelling textural aspects of your dessert when snapping a picture, you can use the Macro lens to bring out these multifaceted details.

▲ Close up, the distinct textures of shaved ice with milk and mango pieces make for a mouthwatering combination

▲ The Macro camera’s shot of solid chocolate melting into warm milk makes for evocative viewing

▲ The sharp contrast of the nuts’ crunchy texture and the mousse cake’s smooth one becomes even more distinct when captured with the Macro camera

Top Tips: How to Become an Expert Food Photographer

② Make your own reflector!

A professional photography studio will use a reflector to direct and change the light composition to take top-quality shots. When you are in a café or at home, a piece of white card, such as a business card, can work as a reflector. Place the card to the side of your smartphone’s camera to amplify the light. You can even substitute this white card with a small piece of A4 paper, if you that is all you have on hand.

Capturing the Rainbow

The best desserts can be enjoyed with our eyes as well as with our taste buds, so being able to capture every vivid color detail of your sweet subjects is important. A contrasting background, too, can serve as another way to bring out every dynamic shade of your dessert when using the Macro camera.

▲ With their contrasting textures and appealing colors, these macarons get even tastier when photographed with the Macro camera

▲ The Macro camera makes the most of the dynamic color contrast between these purple and yellow bread treats

▲ Pastel shades can often use their vividness when captured on camera, but thanks to the Macro camera, these chocolates retain their appeal

Top Tips: How to Become an Expert Food Photographer

③ Celebrate the unique!

Even if you and your friend order exactly the same thing at a café, almost never will you see two dishes come out that are perfectly identical. Garnishes might be placed differently, textures might overlap differently and colors might vary, meaning that each plate is unique. Paying attention to the details particular to your dessert when photographing it is a surefire way to capture a shot that will be unlike anyone else’s.

Making the Most of Intricate Layering

Desserts that are layered, be it with flavors of different textures, consistencies, or colors, are as aesthetically pleasing as they are appealing to the palette. In order to get that perfect cross-section shot of your dessert, it is essential that every detail stands out. The Macro camera is the perfect tool for doing this, even when the layers are fillings and therefore not as immediately obvious.

▲ The smooth harmony of this layered cake is captured perfectly with the Macro camera

▲ The border between this sweet drink’s two layers has something of a sunset effect when captured on the Macro camera

▲ Despite its roughly-textured exterior, the Macro Camera has revealed the colorful charm of the layered colors in this cake

Indonesia

Tauhu Goreng

You haven’t truly experienced Indonesia if you’ve not tasted the joy of pairing this deep-fried tauhu with a spoonful of steaming rice, topped with fragrant peanut sauce. Yum.

BBQ Prawns

Note to reader: Be sure to get in a few shots of this finger-licking good seafood dish before you dig in and wipe the plate clean.

Philippines

Mango

When you’re eating what’s championed as the sweetest, juiciest mangoes in the world, you have to #lowkey brag about it. Just hold up said fruit against luscious backdrops of nature and let your pics do the talking.

Inihaw Na Manok

Often marinated in a mixture that includes 7-Up or Sprite, this classic is beloved by Filipinos across the country, and you’ll understand why once you sink your teeth into its succulent layers—it’s a symphony of flavours just waiting to explode in your mouth.

Malaysia

Nasi 7 Benua

Cue the oohs and aahs as your splendidly colourful nasi benua arrives on the table. Then take a bite of each flavoured and coloured ball of rice to discover that, yes, this masterful combination of fragrant ingredients does taste as amazing as it looks.

Durian

Its rich aroma, the taste of its luscious, creamy flesh that leaves you wanting for more. Until scents and flavours can be captured and shared online, we’ll settle with reminiscing the multisensory experience of eating durian through pictures.

Thailand

Pad Thai

Whichever part of Thailand you’re exploring, you have to add this national staple to your must-try list. Expect to have your taste buds satisfied and your tummy filled with fragrant noodles stir-fried to mouth-watering perfection.

Pineapple Fried Rice

One thought comes to mind every time we’re about to tuck into a plate of pineapple fried rice: this is food fit for a king. Mesmerising, golden grains tossed with juicy chunks of pineapple and prawns—you’ll feel like royalty when you’ve polished off your plate (or pineapple).

Vietnam

Sweet Xoi

A combination of coconut milk, sugar, and glutinous rice, this highly popular Vietnamese dessert doesn’t only come in different shapes and sizes, it also comes it eye-catching colours based on its flavour. Either way, it’s a treat for both your eyes and your palate.

Pho

You’ll be dreaming of these silky noodles swimming in broth even long after you’ve left Vietnam, so take our word for it—do yourself a favour by immortalising the experience with a snapshot or two.

The Flat Lay Style Photography

Kuala Lumpur, 24 October 2017 – There are many things that unite Malaysians, but the one that tops the list is our love for food and our passion of capturing the beauty of our scrumptious treat to share with friends. And it doesn’t end there. Food pictures then make their way to the social sphere where they attempt to make mouths water and stomachs growl. While a handful have mastered the art of great food photography, many are still working on their dexterities to capture gorgeous food pictures.

“Pictures in general are a great way to document memories and introduce people to new places and foods. What better way to document a great meal or catch up with old friends over “food therapy” than by taking a picture? With this in mind, we are proud to bring you the Galaxy J7+ and its fantastic dual rear camera that allows for better focus, greater depth of field and sharper clarity,” said Mr KM Liew, Head of IT & Mobile Business, Samsung Malaysia Electronics.

With amateur photography on the rise and social media sharing at our fingertips, Samsung has built the ideal everyday mobile camera by popping in a second rear camera into the Galaxy J7+. The two rear cameras (13MP f1.7 + 5MP f1.9) allow for a higher level of smartphone photography; providing better focusing, a greater depth of field and sharper clarity. Users can also try their hand at pseudo-professional photo taking through its Live Focus photography mode. This feature allows users to adjust out-of-focus background (bokeh) effect before and after the photo has been taken – making it extremely easy to snap high-quality social-worthy photos of food trips!

“Bokeh” effect through the Galaxy J7+ ‘Live Focus’ feature

Besides that, the device’s dual rear and front cameras also come with improved aperture 13MP f1.7 + 5MP f1.9 (rear), and 16MP f1.9 (front) lenses for capturing brighter and more aesthetically pleasing photos in low-light conditions. With this, the common folk can now capture delectable cuisines even in low-light conditions, be it outdoor food truck festivals or romantic candlelight dinners.

Taking good photos of food, especially with a smartphone, is a skill to be mastered; but with a gadget as nifty as the Galaxy J7+, your mission to curate social-worthy food pictures is half accomplished. Now to collect those hearts on social media, possessing smartphone photography skills can go a long way in increasing the likeability of your pictures. If you are familiar with photography, you know that light, style, perspective, timing, quantity and quality of the subject all collectively make a great photo. These things are not much different when you photograph food with your smartphone camera.

Food pictures are adjustable in any lighting conditions

With over six thousand spoken languages in the world; photography serves as one of the most universally understood forms of communication. Food deepens that communication, as it is something that everyone can relate to; and now we have the technology that enables us bridge the gap between our dining experiences and shared lives. The food trend is ever-evolving and with new cafes emerging in Malaysia on a regular basis, you won’t want to miss out on capturing high-quality food moments with the Galaxy J7+ to share with your friends!

For more information on the Galaxy J7+, visit http://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/galaxy-j7plus-sm-c710/.