11 Dec Lets Talk About Food!
Lets talk a bit about food. Okay, I understand its not totally a photographic topic… or is it? I’ve recently been commissioned to create images for use at a local business wanting to update their banquet menu. One special area they are proud of concerns desserts. Delicious, delicate, tasty, beautiful, works of pastry art. (I’m hungry just writing about it) Here’s the challenge: I’ve got to capture these shots just before they are set out on the banquet buffet for that night’s group, leaving me with just 45 minutes of camera time. On top of that, they requested print-ready artwork the next day. “Challenge accepted” as is said.
I arrive early and see a wonderfully dressed banquet table set, ready for their product. Noticing it was in a poorly lit area, and having the evening’s guests already arriving, I couldn’t set up my normal flash units with light diffusion and chose my “nifty fifty” F-1.4 lens. I knew this great lens is amazingly crisp in low light, and I love the shallow depth-of-field! I also become keen that the lighting directly over the table is relatively amber colored and a cold color temperature. Nearby is a huge bank of open windows letting in the evening sun, and contrasting the room with a rather hot color temperature. This mix of light needed a custom white balance, and I knew I could fine-tune it later in post production. I’m ready to shoot. Out comes the morsels of delightful goodness. I was in a bit of Heaven. Dancing in front of me were tray upon tray, multi-tiered platters, glass and porcelain full of delicious treats. I began with wide shots and moved in for closer angles. One thing to remember with all photography is every picture is a portrait. If its of a person or thing, landscape or special effect, every picture is a portrait. I shot many portraits during that short time, and did deliver the finals on-time even though it was an unusual circumstance. Find out for yourself if these images produced the feeling of beauty and the complex, sweet taste that everyone who tried on adored. Enjoy!