Assignment #38: Food [Sitemap] - Digital Grin Photography Forum

Nikolai

Jun-01-2007, 12:27 AM

Now that Andy joined us, I think it's time to switch to his time-honored primary subject. Repeat after me: "it's always about the food" :rofl

Yes, this week we're going to shoot us some food. Imagine you were asked by a local restaurant to help them to create a menu. You can choose your own style: drive-through, sports bar, steak house, sushi place... The choice is yours.
Your submission should be a pictiure worthy of an actual thing. Remember, though, we're not shooting the restaurant ad, we're shooting food, menu items. No need to include the light fixtures or a portrait of a chef. Also, let's not shoot beverages at this time.

Few things to care about:

lighting (duh :-)
restaurants are usually dark, so BYOL (bring your own light). At home, use the light dome, or any other bright light, preferably with diffusor
angle
some menus shots are "straight down", some are at an angle from the customer point of view, some are real low angle, almost from the table level.
watch the background
you don't want to include your neighbour's elbow or another dish in your frame. And if you do - clone it out!
shine yer forks
should you decide to include utensils in your shots, they better be shiny (please refer to WA#35 Chrome (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=61272)) - unless they are wooden chopsticks:-)Check the real sources (food magazines and menus) - and have fun!

Post-processing is OK, just remember to shoot first:-)
For the rest of the basic rules and index please check out this sticky (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=41800).

Let's shoot us some food! :-) :wink

z_28

Jun-01-2007, 03:10 AM

Good to be first with last food :wink

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t247/CameraSouth/RP0Q9311-800.jpg

Nikolai

Jun-01-2007, 09:48 AM

Good to be first with last food :wink

Nice entry, thanks! :thumb
Funny that we start with desserts;-) :wink :rofl

Antonio Correia

Jun-01-2007, 11:45 AM

http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/158448109-M.jpg (http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/gallery/1587711#158448109-L-LB)http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/158448996-M.jpg (http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/gallery/1587711#158448996-L-LB) http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/158449895-M.jpg (http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/gallery/1587711#158449895-L-LB), (http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/gallery/1587711#158448109-L-LB)

Nikolai

Jun-01-2007, 01:31 PM

three pics
Thank you!
I like #3, it can really be a menu picture.:thumb

photoj

Jun-02-2007, 05:22 PM

I couldn't resist...not the most artistic but it was interesting to have Mikey Ears on my burgers!

mmmmm...tasty looking ears.
http://photoj.smugmug.com/photos/158807055-M.jpg

Before they started cooking...
http://photoj.smugmug.com/photos/158807129-M.jpg

Nikolai

Jun-02-2007, 07:02 PM

I couldn't resist...not the most artistic but it was interesting to have Mikey Ears on my burgers!
mmmmm...tasty looking ears.
Before they started cooking...

A) Well, you tried! :thumb
B) If I saw that on the menu, I'd be out of that joint faster than you can say "mcdonalds"...:-)

Try something's ready to go:
http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/63575346-L.jpg

BeemerChef

Jun-03-2007, 11:17 PM

Nice... nice... being a Chef for... 40 years! Did not care for the sausage/meat cooking pictures however... no biggie.
Funny that now I, we... my dog and I, are on the road for 7 months... I cook in space 2' x 2'... with chinet plates! One pan...
This is my latest (small A20 pentax camera!!!)

http://beemerchef.smugmug.com/photos/159113459-M.jpg

sorry... just had to... here is the food!!!

http://beemerchef.smugmug.com/photos/134044627-M.jpg

http://beemerchef.smugmug.com/photos/134044640-M.jpg

Fun!!!... for my camping with one pan eventual... book!!!

be well...

Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com (http://www.theoasisofmysoul.com)

Nikolai

Jun-04-2007, 01:33 AM

Nice... nice... being a Chef for... 40 years! Did not care for the sausage/meat cooking pictures however... no biggie.
Funny that now I, we... my dog and I, are on the road for 7 months... I cook in space 2' x 2'... with chinet plates! One pan...
This is my latest (small A20 pentax camera!!!)

sorry... just had to... here is the food!!!

Fun!!!... for my camping with one pan eventual... book!!!

be well...

Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com (http://www.theoasisofmysoul.com)

The last two are very nice! :thumb
Thank you for the entries!
First one is not on a subject and is a cross-posting (you've posted it in Spring, too) :nono

MarkR

Jun-04-2007, 04:56 PM

Lessons learned:

1. No matter how much light you think your kitchen has, you need more.

2. You may have mental images of taking a fast shutter snap of food as you toss it in your pan. Don't bother trying unless you have a helper. And nerves of steel. And mad-crazy coordination. My iPhoto trash is full of failed attempts.

3. Stir-fries are still good even if they get slightly overcooked (because insane husband decided to take a picture of it.)

4. Pans are very hot for stir-fries. Safety first!

http://hobbyist.smugmug.com/photos/159610675-L.jpg
Eggplant Abstract

http://hobbyist.smugmug.com/photos/159606939-L.jpg
The Finished Product

evoryware

Jun-04-2007, 07:38 PM

Here's some food from tonight.

1
http://evosphotos.smugmug.com/photos/159663369-L.jpg

2
http://evosphotos.smugmug.com/photos/159663409-L.jpg

3
http://evosphotos.smugmug.com/photos/159663423-L.jpg

Nikolai

Jun-04-2007, 09:11 PM

Lessons learned:

1. No matter how much light you think your kitchen has, you need more.

2. You may have mental images of taking a fast shutter snap of food as you toss it in your pan. Don't bother trying unless you have a helper. And nerves of steel. And mad-crazy coordination. My iPhoto trash is full of failed attempts.

3. Stir-fries are still good even if they get slightly overcooked (because insane husband decided to take a picture of it.)

4. Pans are very hot for stir-fries. Safety first!

Eggplant Abstract

The Finished Product

Thank you! :thumb
I would say, if I was your menu editor or the restaurant owner, I'd chose 2d one but would ask you to crop clone the stove and part/most of the pan out.

Nikolai

Jun-04-2007, 09:13 PM

Here's some food from tonight.
1
2
3

Thank you!
#3 fits the bill rather nicely! :thumb

anwmn1

Jun-04-2007, 10:21 PM

Timing- Nik- Timing

These are a couple weeks old but can't help but post. Had a job for a catering company.

http://aaronnewman.smugmug.com/photos/150221019-L-1.jpg

http://aaronnewman.smugmug.com/photos/150224097-L-1.jpg

http://aaronnewman.smugmug.com/photos/150221741-L-1.jpg

http://aaronnewman.smugmug.com/photos/150217799-L-1.jpg

http://aaronnewman.smugmug.com/photos/150231084-L-1.jpg

Nikolai

Jun-04-2007, 11:18 PM

Timing- Nik- Timing

These are a couple weeks old but can't help but post. Had a job for a catering company.

Too bad! First three are top class! :thumb

MarkR

Jun-05-2007, 03:46 AM

Thank you! :thumb
I would say, if I was your menu editor or the restaurant owner, I'd chose 2d one but would ask you to crop clone the stove and part/most of the pan out.

After I posted the original I thought the same thing, but couldn't get a crop I liked. I did find another image that cropped better: http://hobbyist.smugmug.com/photos/159774871-S.jpg

Nikolai

Jun-05-2007, 09:56 AM

After I posted the original I thought the same thing, but couldn't get a crop I liked. I did find another image that cropped better:

Gland we are on the same page! I like this crop better! :thumb

Antonio Correia

Jun-05-2007, 03:39 PM

Nikolai.
This is more an experiment than anything else.
I would like it would have been better but ...:dunno
I must try again tomorrow, not with a piece of bread, but with slices of tomato.
http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/159932378-M.jpg (http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/gallery/1587711#159932378-L-LB)

Stan

Jun-05-2007, 04:51 PM

sorry the DOF is a little short. I will try this again but I ate the subject, shot with 100mm at F/4.5

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/159948841-L.jpg

Stan

Nikolai

Jun-05-2007, 06:27 PM

Both are nice shots, thank you for entering, :thumb but I yet to see a resaurant that would accept them as a picture menu item... :dunno
Let's put a bit more back into it, shall we? ;-) :wink
Please refer to the beginning of Aaron's post #14 (http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=566699&postcount=14) - great shots for an actual assignment :deal

ChatKat

Jun-05-2007, 11:41 PM

Okay, you guys made me hungry and I've been here lurking on Dgrin too long. Time to dine with you .Beet and Goat Cheese Tower with a cherry balsamic dressing. - Link in case this is missing:
http://www.pbase.com/chatkat/image/80065793.jpg
http://i.pbase.com/g6/80/683780/2/80065793.yUvW0iCL.jpg

The Softshell crab was delish, but, not too photogenic!

Followed by Apple Tarte Tartin for two: ( link in case it's missing - http://www.pbase.com/chatkat/image/80065794.jpg (http://www.pbase.com/chatkat/image/80065794.)

http://i.pbase.com/g6/80/683780/2/80065794.G1X65nUN.jpg

Nikolai

Jun-06-2007, 10:23 AM

Okay, you guys made me hungry and I've been here lurking on Dgrin too long. Time to dine with you .Beet and Goat Cheese Tower with a cherry balsamic dressing.
..

The Softshell crab was delish, but, not too photogenic!

Followed by Apple Tarte Tartin for two:

No show :dunno Please check if the external links are enabled on that gallery.

mwalters

Jun-06-2007, 11:56 AM

I know it's not healthy but...

http://airglowimaging.smugmug.com/photos/160189066-L.jpg

Always have a balanced diet...

http://airglowimaging.smugmug.com/photos/160189435-L.jpg

Matthew

Antonio Correia

Jun-06-2007, 12:40 PM

... Please refer to the beginning of Aaron's post #14 (http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=566699&postcount=14) - great shots for an actual assignment :deal

In fact Aaron's pictures are excellent and very professional ! :lust

I had seen them before and I have seen them again now.
Good work indeed.:D

They are a long distance from what I can do in this assignment ... :cry

But I'm going to try again, that's for sure Nikolai.

Wait and see :wink

Nikolai

Jun-06-2007, 02:18 PM

I know it's not healthy but...
Always have a balanced diet...
Matthew
Thanks, good entries! :thumb
Possible improvement: more professionally-looking b/g and better lighting...

mwalters

Jun-06-2007, 02:25 PM

Thanks Nikolai.

You mean I need to replace my black paper? (I also need to replace the doughnuts now)

Matthew

anwmn1

Jun-06-2007, 02:45 PM

In fact Aaron's pictures are excellent and very professional ! :lust

They are a long distance from what I can do in this assignment ... :cry

Thank you very much Antonio but I disagree that photos like these cannot be achieved by you or anyone else for this assignment.

Like the Assignment says "Think Menu". Several posts have been too close up. A menu item shows the whole dish or at least most of it.

My pictures were achieved handheld with a simple bounce flash off a 9ft ceiling. Granted the food was very nicely prepared but the shots themselves were very basic.

Oh- yeah there was not photoshop done on those either.:wink Simply cropped, straightened, and a little sharpening in Iphoto, that is it!

I will not be able to cook or shoot anything until at least tomorrow but I will post some more current photos for this assignment as well.

cheers!

ShepsMom

Jun-06-2007, 03:38 PM

How about some good ol' bbq stuff?

Hmm, tastes like chicken...

http://www.intruecolors.com/photos/160244095-M.jpg

And some burgers....:eat

http://www.intruecolors.com/photos/160243717-M.jpg

fashiznitsngrins

Jun-06-2007, 03:50 PM

I don't know what this is called, but it was always a favorite growing up... I dedicate this assignment to my mother :lust

http://1anda2.smugmug.com/photos/160247537-L.jpg

Nikolai

Jun-06-2007, 04:11 PM

How about some good ol' bbq stuff?
Hmm, tastes like chicken...
And some burgers....:eat

Marina,

nice pictures, but I have never seen a menu showing the unprepared food :dunno

Nikolai

Jun-06-2007, 04:11 PM

I don't know what this is called, but it was always a favorite growing up...

Great entry, thanks! :thumb

ShepsMom

Jun-06-2007, 04:30 PM

Marina,

nice pictures, but I have never seen a menu showing the unprepared food :dunno

Uh oh, i had to post cooked food? :scratch I didn't know it was a menu subject :rofl

ChatKat

Jun-06-2007, 07:05 PM

No show :dunno Please check if the external links are enabled on that gallery.

Re-linked - and darn it, I am hungry AGAIN!:scratch

Nikolai

Jun-06-2007, 07:21 PM

Re-linked - and darn it, I am hungry AGAIN!:scratch
Still no show.. (and yes, I refreshed the cache...) :dunno

ChatKat

Jun-06-2007, 07:41 PM

Still no show.. (and yes, I refreshed the cache...) :dunno

They are there but I added the link in case they go missing again....:dunno

Nikolai

Jun-06-2007, 09:50 PM

They are there but I added the link in case they go missing again....:dunno

You're linking the wrong URLs...

The ones you've posted lead to the pages. You have to link the actual images, like this:

http://i.pbase.com/g6/80/683780/2/80065793.yUvW0iCL.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/g6/80/683780/2/80065793.yUvW0iCL.jpg

and this:
http://i.pbase.com/g6/80/683780/2/80065794.G1X65nUN.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/g6/80/683780/2/80065794.G1X65nUN.jpg

ChatKat

Jun-06-2007, 11:14 PM

[quote=Nikolai]You're linking the wrong URLs...

Thanks, Nik :clap - I will have to look at the site and mend my evil way :scratch - I usually right click the image and copy properties - so I guess that is the wrong way. Well, at least I learned one new thing today:barb

Antonio Correia

Jun-07-2007, 06:42 AM

Aaron, you are right. Here are my pictures.
Look and laught at the set up I used to shoot. :rofl
http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/160418017-S.jpg http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/160418272-L.jpg (http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/gallery/1587711#160418272-L-LB)
http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/160417996-M.jpg (http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/gallery/1587711#160417996-L-LB) http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/160418189-M.jpg (http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/gallery/1587711#160418189-L-LB)

Just a little curve adjustment and crop.
I do have eaten all the strawberries. :D

One last for the bottom of the menu ...
http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/160417156-M.jpg (http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/gallery/1587711#160417156-L-LB)

Nikolai

Jun-07-2007, 07:38 PM

Aaron, you are right. Here are my pictures.
Look and laught at the set up I used to shoot. :rofl
[/URL] (http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/gallery/1587711#160417996-L-LB)

Just a little curve adjustment and crop.
I do have eaten all the strawberries. :D

One last for the bottom of the menu ...
[URL="http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/gallery/1587711#160417156-L-LB"]

Looks like somebody is going to open up a Strawberry Cafe :rofl
Strawberry Fields Forever! :thumb

Antonio, menu items are usually shown with the china/glass they are served on/in :wink

anwmn1

Jun-07-2007, 10:07 PM

A Salad

http://aaronnewman.smugmug.com/photos/160641843-L.jpg

Dinner

http://aaronnewman.smugmug.com/photos/160641098-L.jpg

Its as easy as PB&J

http://aaronnewman.smugmug.com/photos/160640870-L.jpg

That's a Wrap!

http://aaronnewman.smugmug.com/photos/160641576-L.jpg

Cropped and sharpen. That's it!

Nikolai

Jun-07-2007, 10:57 PM

A Salad
Dinner
Its as easy as PB&J
That's a Wrap!
Cropped and sharpen. That's it!
Great entry! We're so lucky to have you here! :clap

Northern Monkey

Jun-08-2007, 03:42 PM

It's a rubbish entry, but the best I could manage. Not enough DoF, taken at f/1.8 1/640, as I just grabbed it when I was taking portraits. Should have used about 1/100 and f5

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/geoffhill/IMG_4589.jpg

Nikolai

Jun-08-2007, 07:09 PM

It's a rubbish entry, but the best I could manage. Not enough DoF, taken at f/1.8 1/640, as I just grabbed it when I was taking portraits. Should have used about 1/100 and f5

I have nothing to add:-) :wink

MT Stringer

Jun-10-2007, 12:37 PM

I'll have to make another run to the store before I shoot again! :rofl

Nikolai

Jun-10-2007, 01:48 PM

I'll have to make another run to the store before I shoot again! :rofl
Great entry! :thumb
Just a bit tilted, IMHO, but very good otherwise!

Bayer-Z28

Jun-10-2007, 04:29 PM

Here's a fresh one. I just happened to have some peaches in my kitchen..

JUICY too! :D

http://aycu24.webshots.com/image/17543/2005539401156392172_rs.jpg

Nikolai

Jun-10-2007, 06:44 PM

Here's a fresh one. I just happened to have some peaches in my kitchen..
JUICY too! :D

Edible - yes. :thumb Menu item - no. :dunno

Bayer-Z28

Jun-10-2007, 06:48 PM

^ woops... I didn't read up.. .My bad.. I have a really good shot I took of a salad from a while ago.. But obviously it isn't a fresh picture..

BradfordBenn

Jun-11-2007, 07:10 PM

I definitely don't have enough light in my kitchen. Pretty much they all came out looking half baked. The Gallery (http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/Digital%20Grin%20Technique) has them all.

This one could work for a pancake place, I did a little cropping, but it might be a little too rustic.
http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/photos/161948487-L.jpg
exif info (http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=161948487)
The biggest challenge I had was the fact that the lighting was bad in there so doing stuff hand held did not work out well.

Nikolai

Jun-11-2007, 07:43 PM

I definitely don't have enough light in my kitchen. Pretty much they all came out looking half baked. The Gallery (http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/Digital%20Grin%20Technique) has them all.

This one could work for a pancake place, I did a little cropping, but it might be a little too rustic.

exif info (http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=161948487)
The biggest challenge I had was the fact that the lighting was bad in there so doing stuff hand held did not work out well.

Brad,
you did make and capture the pancakes! :thumb

Now do you think you can capture the serving? :wink

BradfordBenn

Jun-11-2007, 08:04 PM

Brad,
you did make and capture the pancakes! :thumb

Now do you think you can capture the serving? :wink

Well there is this action shot of Chloe (http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/gallery/2989418/2/161953183/Large) enjoying the pancakes I dropped. The serving did not look as interesting to me.