5 Tips for Better Food Photos That Improve AI Accuracy

Getting the most accurate results from CalControl AI starts with taking great food photos. Here are our top tips to help our AI provide the best possible calorie estimates and nutritional analysis.

1. Good Lighting is Everything

Natural light is your best friend. Whenever possible, take photos of your food near a window or outdoors. Good lighting helps our AI better identify food colors, textures, and details.

Tips:

• Avoid harsh shadows that obscure parts of your meal
• If indoors, sit near a window or use bright room lighting
• Avoid using flash, which can wash out colors and create unwanted reflections

2. Include Reference Objects

Help our AI estimate portion sizes by including common reference objects in your photo when possible.

Great reference objects:

• Your hand or fingers
• Standard utensils (forks, spoons)
• Common items like coins or credit cards
• The plate or bowl itself (if it’s a standard size)

3. Capture the Full Plate

Show the complete meal rather than close-up shots of individual items. This helps our AI understand the full context and relative proportions of different foods.

Best practices:

• Take photos from directly above (bird’s eye view)
• Ensure all food items are visible
• Include any sauces, dressings, or condiments
• Don’t crop out parts of the plate

4. Separate Mixed Dishes When Possible

For complex meals with multiple components, try to show individual ingredients clearly.

Examples:

• Spread salad ingredients so they’re visible
• Show sandwich fillings if possible
• Arrange stir-fries so different vegetables are distinguishable
• Keep sauces and toppings visible rather than mixed in

5. Take Multiple Angles for Complex Meals

For elaborate dishes or multi-course meals, consider taking 2-3 photos from different angles.

When to use multiple photos:

• Layered dishes (like sandwiches or lasagna)
• Meals with hidden ingredients
• Large portions that don’t fit well in one frame
• When you want to capture both the full meal and specific details

Common Photo Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Too dark or shadowy ❌ Extreme close-ups that miss context ❌ Blurry or out-of-focus images ❌ Photos taken from too far away ❌ Cutting off parts of the plate or meal

Pro Tips for Specific Foods

Beverages

• Include the full container when possible
• Show liquid level in glasses or bottles
• Include any garnishes or additions

Packaged Foods

• Include nutrition labels when available
• Show the full package if eating the entire contents
• Include any preparation additions (milk, oil, etc.)

Restaurant Meals

• Take photos before mixing or cutting
• Include any sides or accompaniments
• Don’t be shy - most people understand food tracking!

The Result: More Accurate Tracking

Following these simple photography tips will help CalControl AI provide you with the most accurate calorie estimates and nutritional information possible. Remember, the better the photo, the better the analysis!

Want to learn more about maximizing CalControl AI’s features? Check out our other articles or contact us with questions.

Get Instant Calorie & Macro Estimations With CalControl AI!

Join users who've discovered the easiest way to track calories with AI-powered precision. Simply snap a photo and get instant, accurate nutrition insights.

→