Lobster just out of shell photographed earlier in the day back lit with available light (see the blue) and modeling lights in front. White balance set for bulb.
Below might not be the best photo of Michael's poached lobster dish, but
it was still plenty hot when I ate it. We decided to try and photograph
the courses during a dinner with Peter and Judy. With some
people that might be considered, well, rude. But with long time friends
who love to cook, eat and talk about it the whole time, it made sense to
us all. Before they arrived, I'd set a place setting on the kitchen
table and set up lights (there would be no good available light). I put
the empty bowl down that would later be filled with our lobster course and put in an onion. I adjusted the lights and took test exposures until I
had a good shot . Michael plated my lobster first and I replaced it with
the bowl and onion. I couldn't fuss. While Michael plated the other three lobster dishes, I took 2 exposures, carried my food to the table where glasses were already raised in a toast. So—if it works it works—if not, at least I
didn't eat cold lobster. My regret in this photo is that there is a
slight camera shake, preventing it from being super sharp. If I had
more time I would have more exposures to choose from.
Donna,
Gorgeous! And I think they should hand out special prizes for both getting a good shot and eating a hot meal. What kind of camera do you use?
I have the same issue when shooting in restaurants -- how to get the shot before the food goes cold! Hadn't considered that problem in my own kitchen. 🙂
Donna, I laughed when I read the title as I am all too familiar with the photographing vs. hot food dilemma. Great tip. A little preparation goes a long way!
I'm swimming with that lobster, it's that beautiful!
How lovely. This is a great collaboration between you and Michael. We all appreciate your photos so it is great to hear you describe them as well.
LOL, any family of a food blogger completely understands your dilemma. My family always has to wait a couple minutes as I take my shots, so I go quickly. Your pics are lovely.
You know since I have started my blog and been photographing (albeit an absolute crap camera cause my long time Sony DSC crashed) my biggest dilemma is how to set up a shot: what kind of plate, lighting is still a concern though that is psychiatric at this point cause the camera is all of $79 bucks..so question if I were to buy a cheap camera that will give me the accuracy of manual f stop and aperture...what would u recommend? (i live with a man who says what's 'emanuel' when i tell him i need a manual)
That is a fabulous photo. It seduces me to pick up a fork!
But as a home cook, I wonder if we have been sold a bill of goods by the food mags. I have food mags going back 20 years. There are many where I nail the recipe and technique but my presentation falls short of the photo. Did the photo prompt me to try the recipe? Yep. Did it prompt me to buy the mag? Yep. Should I hold myself to the presentation level of a styled photo? Hmmm.. I wonder if that isnt a recipe for disappointment. Just my thoughts.
p.s. If you could just include how to portion this and have it in front of 10 dinner guests looking like it does in your photo, your fabulous photo will be the 2nd course in my annual holiday dinner!
This is fun! I love hearing how you did it because trying to get a good shot of the food while cooking dinner for guests is something I always struggle with. It's not that my friends mind me shooting the food, it's just the dilemma of too many things to do at once.
For all of you out there cooking for your friends and family, believe me, they are grateful to be the beneficiaries of your talent and would love to help you plate and serve. We find that our guests love to feel apart of it all.
On Sep 19, 2009, at 12:29 PM, [email protected] wrote:
Many a great dish has gone unphotographed because of my hungry, impatient guests. Those lobsters look so succulent!