Taking Pictures of Food

I hope this hasn't been covered, but looking around the forum today brought a few interesting questions to mind regarding picture-taking in restaurants:

1) For those of you who take a lot of pictures in restaurants, especially higher-end restaurants -- how do you take pictures while still remaining a relatively low profile? And, as a second part to that question, what do you do when (if) you are confronted by your server and/or another restaurant employee asking you what you're doing and/or what you're taking pictures for?

I would assume that *most* restaurants don't have a problem with pictures being taken of their food. I have a problem doing it because I always feel self-conscious. I suppose those of you who do it all the time (and bless you folks, because I LOVE pictures), have gotten past that stigma.

Anyway, that leads me to my second question:

2) Once you have been "caught" or seen taking pictures of the food, do you suspect, or have you found, that the quality of the food being brought out to you improves? Is the plating nicer? Are you getting better portions?

Perhaps this would be an interesting experiment, if nothing else.

I know when I was reading Ruth Riechl's latest book, she told of an experience of going to a restaurant and spending almost the entire meal unrecognized. They had already gotten their desserts when someone on the staff alerted the kitchen whom was dining there (it was Riechl and one of the head editors at the NYT). Suddenly, their desserts were being taken away, and being replaced with bigger, better ones, with huge, pump berries that made the ones they had earlier look incredibly small and unimportant. She then came to the conclusion that certain diners (important ones) not only received preferential seating and service, but preferential *food* as well.

Do you suppose that taking pictures of food might render the same effect?

I would like to think otherwise; that, if nothing else, good food brings us all down to the same level, but sometimes, I'm not so sure that's true.

Thoughts?

GreenFish,

I'm a "once in a while" restaurant photographer and, more often than not, the restaurant doesn't even notice. It's pretty normal for people at a table to photograph each other (think: family get-togethers). More often than not, I'm not using the flash, which makes the whole thing even less noticable.

I've found, in many cases, that smaller restaurants are flattered by your interest in their craft and are pleased for you to take photos of their food, and them. Although this is not exclusively the case. I know of a few instances where members of this board have been asked to leave establishments when the camera is taken out.

As for the food "improving" after the camera is noticed, I can't imagine this happening. The scenario of a waiter telling the chef or cook that "the guy at table five is taking photos, step up your game!" seems a bit too far removed from reality for me.

There's some discussion of photographing food and camera suggestions in the thread The Freaky Guy With the Camera.

Best,
Michael

Michael,

Thanks for the link to that thread. I have to admit, I often feel strange about photographing food - in fact, the last time I did it at a restaurant (LTH, with my friends), they all complained because they couldn't eat right away.

Anyway, I suppose the second point about improved food quality was a little far-fetched, but, you know. Thought I'd ask.

GreenFish wrote:in fact, the last time I did it at a restaurant (LTH, with my friends), they all complained because they couldn't eat right away.

This is a very common problem Ask some of the more prolific photographers on this board how many times they've heard the question "Are you done yet?" when they're taking food pics.

GreenFish wrote:in fact, the last time I did it at a restaurant (LTH, with my friends), they all complained because they couldn't eat right away.

eatchicago wrote:This is a very common problem Ask some of the more prolific photographers on this board how many times they've heard the question "Are you done yet?" when they're taking food pics.

GreenFish,

Speaking as someone who has taken, literally, thousands of pictures of food one sure fire way to lower resistance from your friends is to share the pictures you take. The simple act of emailing someone a picture, hopefully flattering, of themselves, their children or even what they had for dinner that evening or the next day will quickly make allies of the most resistant to your picture taking.

In the same light, posting pictures on a web page or LTHForum for many to enjoy gives people a vested interest in your picture taking. Soon, not only will they be encouraging you to take pictures, your friends and family will be suggesting shots and composition.

Enjoy,
Gary

A Professional’s Photo Tips For Shooting Markets

Food markets are a joyful assault on the senses. Every one — from a petite, once-a-week, village market in the hills of northern Sumatra to the daily affair known as Merced that sprawls over a subway line in Mexico City — is a visual feast, an olfactory cornucopia, an aural bounty. Markets are where I go to find my bearings in a new destination and to get a heads-up on what to expect in the local cuisine. They’re where I find inspiration in towns and cities that I know well. Every market has endless stories to tell, and as a photographer who loves to eat as much as he loves to shoot, I never of tire of bringing it all to life in the images I make.

FoodFirst's husband David Hagerman's tips on taking pictures. They are presently working on a book on Turkish food.

Regards,

Since this post was created almost decade ago- not only has iPhone (& smart phone-ography)
spiked- but it seems that images of ALL OF OUR activities from eating-food to ones-self-
has been all the rage on Pinterest and Instagram.
Stand-Up comedians commonly "rant" about their disdain for people whippin'-out-their-phones-
or cameras to document their food beofre they enjoy it.
"JUST-PUT-DOWN-YOUR-PHONE-AND-EAT-THE-DAMN-THING" was in one of Lewis Blacks rants about culture today.
So- what had been generally uncommon
in 2006- is now- it seems general practice- i.e.
not just of "foodies" or lth-ers...but a broad cross-section of the general public.

I have to chuckle- how some lth-ers' have their kids trained- to "wait for Dad"- to take a picture -or three-
before diving into to that plate/dish the server just delivered to the table.

Its worse for the kids with "mommy blog" parents who take pictures of them "enjoying" what they just cooked or whatever fun activity they did that day.

Hombre de Acero wrote:I have to chuckle- how some lth-ers' have their kids trained- to "wait for Dad"- to take a picture -or three-
before diving into to that plate/dish the server just delivered to the table.

In 2015 it's way way easier to be sight unseen when wanting to capture a photo/video in intimate public places. Anyone who puts their mind to it can get their device ready and push shutter buttons without making the photo/video taking an event unto itself. Camera's and devices are so much more advanced now and waiting for the device to be ready can be almost nonexistent. Not to mention the CMOS chips that capture the image data are very sensitive and don't need to use fill light emanating from the camera to take a pleasing photo or video thereby using available light.

If someone is in public and it becomes an event to capture a pleasing image it's because the photographer isn't familiar with their equipment.

7 Ways to Create an Atmosphere in Food Photos

The most important thing to know by any person often dealing with food, whether this person is a chef, restaurant-keeper, photographer or just a food lover, – is that every dish has its own charisma and story, and stirs certain association in those who are going to enjoy it. And the task of a professional food photographer is to find this charisma, to create an association that will make viewers’ mouth water and to tell a real novella with the help of the picture.

professional being the operative word

I used to like looking at the pornographic photos, meticulously styled, perfectly lit, mounted camera, long exposure, fibonacci ratios, leading lines, golden ratios and all that stuff. then I realized how much time it takes, the expense of the equipment, buying props from Pottery Barn, moving lights around and spending hours at a time taking photos of cupcakes. Then there is the crazy styling part like partially cooking stuff, artificial cigar smoke or steam. Im not sure food is even meant to be made into pornography.

Tyrgyzistan wrote: Im not sure food is even meant to be made into pornography.

It is for advertising agencies and marketing firms and commercial photographers and art directors who specialize in it.

Top 10 Best Food Photographers in the World

Some food photography to admire.

Food Photography, Over the Years

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/18/t-ma ... t-magazine®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=3&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=0