Tag Archives: food photography

Week 9 Discussion Topic: Rock Star Food Behind the Scenes

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Henry Hargreaves, Rihanna’s backstage request for “hard-boiled eggs, turkey bacon, turkey sausage, at any time through out the day” from petapixel.com

Henry Hargreaves, Rihanna’s backstage request for “hard-boiled eggs, turkey bacon, turkey sausage, at any time through out the day” from petapixel.com

As you prepare your “egg photos” for your upcoming presentations, I thought you would like to share your thoughts on these still life photographs of unusual requests made by musicians when they go on tour. When musicians perform at major concerts, their contracts include riders that outline what they need to have backstage. These riders often feature requests for food such as Lady Gaga’s request for a “small plate of cheese (nonsmelly, nonsweaty), on ice.” The photographer Henry Hargreaves with the help of a stylist produced photographs in the style of Flemish still life painting, a genre that emerged in the seventeenth-century Netherlands. The photographs are stylish and give viewers a peek into the personalities (and quirks!) of different musicians. Read the article on Hargreaves’ Band Riders photo series and share what you think of his pictures.

Read about Henry Hargreaves “Band Riders” photo series here.

You can see the entire “Band Riders” series on the photographer’s website (he has also photographed ‘deep-fried’ gadgets like iPads).

Please submit your posts by Monday, December 15th. 

Taking pictures of food by Min Hui Siew (Victoria)

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Taking pictures of food has been a normal routine for me whenever I am eating out with friends or family. Some people say grace before they eat, I take pictures of the food before I eat. I enjoy taking pictures of food because I get to express my creativity and showing appreciation towards the food. Every time the server delivers the food to the table, I will get comments like “you’re going to take pictures aren’t you?” or “make it quick, I am starving”. Yes, I am one of those people who stops their friends or family members from eating without having a picture of their food taken. It is a little irritating for them but they developed a new tactic to “photo bomb” my pictures by making silly faces or blocking the food with unpleasant hand gestures. I also developed a new method of taking good pictures of food by focusing on the right angle first then capture few quick shots. This wouldn’t be possible without my trusty iPhone 5, the main reason why I love my phone is because of the camera quality. I can relate to the YouTube spoof video of how I only use my phone to take pictures. After all, my photo album contains many food pictures and shameless “selfies”.

The New York Times article made me realize how some people actually take pictures of food to a whole new level. When I take pictures of food, it is only a few quick shots then I put my phone away. Although I agreed that lighting is important when it comes to taking pictures, I don’t think it is necessary to have the right lens or a professional camera. Unless you are doing a cover spread for Food and Wine Magazine, one should prioritize that there is a time and place for everything.

I am proud of my collection of food pictures. Each food picture showcases culture, art , memories and most importantly who I am.

Rose House from Flushing New York.

Korean Green Tea Shaved Ice “Pat Bing Soo” from Cafe Bene, Queens.

Green Tea Lava Cake from Spot Desserts, St. Marks, NYC.

My own creation of bacon infused waffle topped with vanilla ice cream drizzled with chocolate syrup from Waffle and Dinges truck, NYC.

-Min Hui Siew (Victoria)

Week 1 Discussion Topic: Taking Pictures of Food

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My own example of food photography: Duck confit and potatoes at Brasserie Mollard in Paris

My own example of food photography: Duck confit and potatoes at Brasserie Mollard in Paris

I usually begin the blog in the History of Photography class with a New York Times article by the art critic Roberta Smith who is dismayed with the increasing use of cameras, especially cellphones by viewers when interacting with art. I ask my students to share their opinions about taking pictures of pictures but for our Art of Food learning community, I want to know what you think of the more prevalent practice of taking pictures of food. Read the NYT article “First Camera, Then Fork” on people who take pictures of food and then display them online. Taking pictures of food is so common nowadays that the comedian Adam Sacks produced a spoof commercial when the iPhone 5 was released that highlighted food photography. There are numerous tumblr and flickr groups dedicated to food like the flickr “I Ate This.”

Read the “First Camera, Then Fork” NYT article here.

Watch a parody ad of the “iPhone 5” for Food Photography

Share what you think about taking pictures of food, you may post an image if you wish.

Don’t forget to log in to your OpenLab account (you need an active CityTech email account to register/confirm your OpenLab account) and join the class (request membership!) in order to add a blog post.

See instructions on how to “post” and “comment” under “Blogging Guidelines” above.

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR POSTS BY MONDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2014.