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Where and how to take the perfect Insta-worthy photo in London

Photo of the interior of the Early Bird diner with memorabilia covered walls
Image Credit: Aisha Javaid

Is it still trendy to take pictures of our fancy meals and post them? How about having personal accounts for our pets? Is using the filters Sierra or Mayfair still a thing? Today, brands and individuals are creating and sharing content on social media to network and promote their products. With influencers and various social media platforms emerging, it’s become crucial for everyone to pick up on trends when producing images or videos.

Luckily, London is home to countless picturesque locations, from aesthetically stylish restaurants to gorgeous riverside views.

“I think that right now, in social media, there’s lots of photos today with shallow depth of fields,” said Brendan Beamish, videographer and photographer for the Fanshawe Student Union (FSU). “So, where you’re pretty much just putting the subject and focus on having a blurry background, those catch people’s eyes most immediately.”

“Downtown diner, The Early Bird, will also make for a dynamic visual backdrop, with brightly coloured paint and walls adorned with artwork and rock n’ roll memorabilia.”

Fashion shots really benefit from a shallow depth of field. Some of the best places to take a photo of your OOTD (Outfit of the Day) might be in front of the graffiti wall located in the alley by Spaghetti Eddy’s on Richmond Row. The shallow depth of field will highlight your look, and the blurred artwork in the background will create a dynamic backdrop.

Beamish further explained that the most important camera feature is the exposure, and the complete visibility of the subject.

Many influencers and casual Insta-users alike prefer a consistent colour theme throughout their feed. When discussing colour patterns, Beamish said that today, having the same tone of colours and hues is a popular trend.

“Vibrant colours attract people’s eyes, so people, like influencers, or people who try to advertise products, might use a lot of contrast in their photos because they want their images to pop!” he added.

Contrast is one thing, but finding locations in the city with vibrant colours to begin with also helps. Try the Bag Lady, a local breakfast joint located at 474 Pall Mall Street in London for a colourful, eye-catching restaurant shot. The turquoise walls and colourful array of aprons on the walls make for a pastel treat for the eyes. Downtown diner, The Early Bird, will also make for a dynamic visual backdrop, with brightly coloured paint and walls adorned with artwork and rock n’ roll memorabilia.

Beamish has also experienced different tones and shades when people prefer a specific mood to their photoshoots.

“If people are going for a more emotional look, they’ll have moody tones or darker colours, with less contrast.”

While you can absolutely modify the tone of your image using editing techniques, you can also try visiting moodier settings, such as the Sifton Bog or historical buildings at Western University.

As we scroll through our Instagram feeds, the quality of images differs from seeing professional photoshoots to unedited selfies to filtered images with surreal features. Beamish advised anyone interested in building their social media profile to become familiar with different camera lenses.

“We still take pictures of our food, even 10 years after Instagram first started making that popular, and we still take selfies. You should know what you’re doing and take photos and understand why they work. I think a lot of composition aspect comes when you have a camera that you can use different lenses for so you’re knowing what to look for, you’re going for a certain look, as opposed to just pulling out the phone and snapping a picture,” he said.

With these tips, your next #ldnont Instagram post is just a click away.