Autumn is a time for new beginnings and my calender is also filling with new projects. After having written some in depth pieces about my everyday work, here is a good example of a menu shoot. Maitsete Tänav in Rocca al Mare shopping center is a restaurant concept where you can find all imaginable temptations. This is only a tiny part of what's being offered.
To start with a personal note - I haven't had such a long and relaxing summer for as long as I can remember. Last time was probably before I engaged in food photography. It took years and years of hard work to master the skill and build up a business.
That said, just a few remarks before you start teasing your stomach. It took us about 3 hours to shoot 26 menu items. As you notice there are some variations in background and styling, not just changing the plates. There's a variation in camera angle depending from the tableware and the height of the dish. The changes in lighting are not noticeable to a untrained eye, but colleagues know that a soup for example wants a highlight from top down. See through pieces of food like thin slices of radish or Parmigiano cheese benefit from back light.
The challenge of the job is that you can't choose what to photograph and what not. Some dishes are not as good looking as others by nature. I'm not saying which and I emphasize that in this restaurant all food is very pleasing to the eye, but you get the point. It's a photographers task to bring out the best about the dish. You can't do that without knowing food, loving food, knowing a hell lot about photography and being experienced with food. Oops, forgive me the ego trip.
Thanks for your attention! You know where to go if you feel hungry.
