Menu Shoot for Sands Regency Casino in Reno, NV

[Brinr]

Did a my first menu shoot. Here the ones of each plate I thought were the best. Let me know what you think.

#1

9_28_11 Sands Menu007 water by BrinR Photo, on Flickr

#2 (my fav)

9_28_11 Sands Menu001 water by BrinR Photo, on Flickr

#3

9_28_11 Sands Menu011 water by BrinR Photo, on Flickr

#4

9_28_11 Sands Menu010 water by BrinR Photo, on Flickr

 

[paul85224]

I think I'm getting hungry.

 

[analog.universe]

Nice! I like the processing a lot, great color.

How did you light these?

 

[Brinr]

Thanks for the replies ya'll. Means a lot to a newb. I used one 580ex ii through a softbox and in a few I had a fill card on the backside... that was it, pretty simple.

 

[Derrel]

Can't tell WHAT that is in the last shot, but it looks hard and dry and totally unappealing. The yellow blob in the front...what the heck is that? Is that disgusting brown lump some kind of meat?

 

[Hickeydog]

Can't tell WHAT that is in the last shot, but it looks hard and dry and totally unappealing. The yellow blob in the front...what the heck is that? Is that disgusting brown lump some kind of meat?

That's a steak with zucchini in front.

mmmmmm makes me hungry.

 

[Brinr]

Ouch Darrel! I couldn't help the preparation process that was all up to the chef, I suggested a little vegetable oil and they didn't go for it. Maybe simpler composition that showed the plate in a clearer view would have been what you would have chose?

Thanks Hickeydog, glad I didn't make it completely unrecognizable.

 

[KmH]

But you did have control over the DOF and other shot setup details.

IMO, the DOF is way to shallow for menu use, and the camera tilt is inappropriate for the usage.

 

[dakkon76]

Sometimes I find myself wondering what some of these people spend more time doing... creating their own images, or bitching about the ones that others have created.

 

[jake337]

There is something on the fork in #3. Looks like rice or something. You want your silverware lookin' new! I do agree with the DOF being to shallow because your not only buying the steak or the sandwich, but the plate as a whole. Side dish and all.

 

[Derrel]

Ouch Darrel! I couldn't help the preparation process that was all up to the chef, I suggested a little vegetable oil and they didn't go for it. Maybe simpler composition that showed the plate in a clearer view would have been what you would have chose?

Thanks Hickeydog, glad I didn't make it completely unrecognizable.

SO, that is a steak??? Igt looks like a dog 'biscuit',and not the dogfood kind--the kind a dog himself makes. It looks HARD. And dry. On the left of the image is 'something'....maybe a hard, dry wheat roll? Maybe dried-up baked potato skin? The steak has numerous issues--look at the top right side of it--it looks charred black on top. On the side closest to the camera, the piece of meat loses height...and yet, there's no apparent reason for that...there is 'something' kind of red on the side facing the lens, but it does not appear that a steak knife made a cut in the meat...if that is a "steak", it looks simply God-awfully presented and pi$$-poorly prepared. WHoever the chef is ought to be ashamed--the meat looks worse that what I would expect at a greasy spoon along I-5 on the way to Vegas...and, the fact that you suggested some kind of "oil" to make the meat look more moist and juicy, and the fact that the chef refused shows that he's a prick, without a clue.

ANYBODY who has ever worked in food photography, as either a shooter, stylist, or chef, knows that the vast majority of items for PHOTOGRAPHY need to be under-cooked, and specially prepared; seared with a blowtorch, moistened with glycerine + water, brushed with oil or water or butter or glazes,etc.,etc..

Here...go to Sizzler's web page, and look at their classic 8 ounce beefsteak photo: Sizzler USA

Moist in appearance, clear as to the shape of the cut, and appealing to the eye, not dry-looking and jerky-like. Maybe the "chef" you're working for needs to hear from his boss, via you, what a dick he's being in regard to the food prep for the shoot.

 

[finephoto2008]

Great color. Nice shots.

 

[Brinr]

Jake: I agree with the fork comment, I'll pull that out.

Darrell: I worked with what I had man, and yes I'm a newb still learning, this restaurant isn't anything like sizzler, it literally is kind of a pull of the side of the road place where they were pretty clueless on food photography.

Dakkon: Ha ha funny, but I do still appreciate constructive criticism.

 

[cgipson1]

#1 Panini? or some sort of sandwich conglomeration? Can't see enough to really make it out.. and is that a wine glass in the background with its head chopped off?

#2 probably the best shot.. at least you can easily recognize what it is... I think the chips or whatever should be in focus too.. at least more than they are.

#3 - Potatoes look ok. Meat.. is that roast beef, prime rib or it could even be sliced ham... and the veggies are recognizable in context, but just barely in the iimage.

#4 baked potato, yellow blob.. obviously zuchini, there again only recognizable in context. The meat (steak, you say?) Lousy presentation.. cant really tell what it is...

why even have the wine glasses in the shots.. when they are chopped off so short they can barely be recognized?

Maybe go here.. look at some pro shots... look at the angles.. look at the presentation... look at reflections for clues to lighting...

Food Photography Portfolio : Food Photography Blog : Food Photography Articles, Tips and Techniques

You can blame it on the chef.. but it makes YOU look bad!

 

[DennyCrane]

I'd think the restaurant would want their entire meal in focus, since it's a package deal for the diner... Even a sprig of parsley on the plate should probably be in focus and recognizable.