Photography by Jerry, LLC

Photographers have to blend two distinct and different characteristics…being an artist and being a technician. I believe that these two qualities are centered in different hemispheres of the brain so, are photographers left brain dominant or right? I would imagine that fine art photographers are more right brained but, what about commercial still life photographers?

Let’s consider the life of a commercial still life photograph. First, it starts with a client’s need…an ad, a website, a product than needs to be shown. Then more often than not, a really right brained art director has a vision of how to proceed. A stylist is called in to gather together and place the pieces to represent the art director’s and client’s vision (more right brain stuff.) Now the photographer comes in…choosing a lens, lighting, depth of field, and exposure – definitely more left brain that right.

I have always thought that my strength as a photographer was technical…I’m really good at that. That is why I surround myself with very creative stylists…they are my right brain. Together – we get it done!

Many, many years ago, I did a photo using a rich, brown barn siding as a background. The material was wonderful. Great color and an unbelievable texture. For years since, I’ve been looking for this barn siding whenever I was on vacation in upstate New York or in Vermont but, to no avail. I decided to search the Internet to see if someone sells barn siding and to my surprise there were many. This material was not cheap. I got a few prices (and a few rejections of my tiny order for 16 square feet) and finally settled on a vendor. I described what I wanted and they sent me a photo of some of the stock. I thought that it looked right. I was told that the rich brown color I requested was the backside of a worn red barn.

When the material arrived the next day (UPS is amazing!) I was so disappointed in what came. The texture was right on the side that was painted red and the color was right on the back. I found the material not very useful. So, I painted a few pieces white and did a test shot of the background…I think it gives a nice country look…what do you think?

White background test shot.

As a photographer, I provide a finished product – a photograph (or series of photographs). I do not however, especially with stock photography, often see the finished product that the client is producing. What a treat it is when a client sends me a finished copy of their ad, brochure or website using my photographs. I really wish that stock photography clients would do the same.  These anonymous buyers know who the photographer is, and there is a link to the photographer’s site and e-mail on the stock photo provider’s page. I wold love to see what they are doing with my photographs.

Here is a finished product from one of my clients. I shot all of the beauty shots and at least half of the product shots. http://www.astorline.com/Astor2011/index.html.

A chocolate shot for the catalog.

Whole wheat pasta with low carb tomato sauce is my new Friday night meal.

How uncanny is it that I have chosen to be a food photographer – photographing lots of chocolate and desserts – but unable to eat any of them. Torture, I tell you, simply torture! No cake, no candy, no cookies, no pasta, no sugar, no potatoes, and almost no pizza. How can I survive on one slice of pizza every now and then? Boy, I can use a butcher as a client. Any steak restaurants out there need great photos?

Just wanted to let everyone know that my Canon EOS 5D Mark II is back and better than ever. Well, at least as good as new and sparkly clean. I threw this together to test it out.

It Works - as good as new.

Hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving. Mine was fine. However, my worst nightmare came true the day after. Well, not really my worst nightmare but it wasn’t a good day. I was taking photos of my neighbor’s family and I tripped over the wire that tethers my camera to the computer. It rolled off the table and on to the floor and then my poor camera rolled out of the door. Sorry, I got carried away. I picked it up and finished the shoot but, the camera was no longer tethered. Now I remember why they used to call me “Thunderfoot”.

So, it’s off to Canon for a repair. Luckily it’s only about 20 minutes away from here. Not having the camera for a couple of days is quite traumatic…I actually feel empty when it’s not available. I have a backup but, it’s just not the same thing. My poor baby needs to get fixed!

My latest Press Release:

What a great year this has been for me…even though the economy didn’t cooperate, I have visited many great restaurants on the Jersey shore and I have eaten many delicious meals. My name is Jerry and I am the owner of Photography by Jerry, LLC. I love the Jersey Shore (especially the food) and I want to give something back to the great restaurants that have provided me with wonderful meals for the past year. I want to help your customers taste with their eyes. This will be my holiday gift to you.

The first sense of eating is sight. That is why presentation is given so much weight in fine restaurants. The food has to look good before it is tasted. This first impression most certainly counts and looking at the menu is certainly your first impression.

Have you ever looked at your signature dishes and know that they look great – but the photos on websites, ads, flyers and menus don’t do them justice. Or perhaps you have added a few new dishes and need to update your photos.  Website, ads, flyers and  menus must convince the customer of the freshness, high quality and great taste just by looking. When you taste with your eyes, it better taste good.

Times are rough and restaurants are fighting for every customer. Customers want that great experience from when they walk in until when they walk out. They want to look at a menu and know what their meal is going to taste like.

Photographs of your food should represent the best of what you have to offer. Stock photos or photos taken with a “point and shoot” camera just don’t work. Food has to be properly prepared for the camera. Food has to be properly lit to make it look fresh, juicy, and tantalizing. This is where a local professional food photographer comes in. Working with a professional food stylist, and using the best studio lighting and camera equipment, your meals are going to jump off the page.

I will be conducting a sweepstakes for Jersey Shore restaurants (Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic and Cape May Counties). The winner will receive a free food photography session at their restaurant (see rules for details.) Restaurant owners, managers or chefs may enter the contest at http://www.photography-by-jerry.com and click on the contest button at the bottom right of the page. All entries must be in by January 12, 2011. Second place prize will be a $250. discount toward food photography and third place will be a $100. discount toward food photography. Only one entry per restaurant is allowed.

Good luck, I look forward to meeting you.

According to one source, I was told that what I am running is a sweepstakes and not a contest because the winner is picked at random…ooops.

The first time I saw star anise was on a photo by Lou Manna (a beverage shot, I believe). Then, I used it in a photo for Astor Chocolate. What a great little spice…great texture, great color, great shape. So, when I passed a spice store on my way home from a wedding in Connecticut, I picked some up. A fun shot to do…and smells good too.

On a different note, the contest for Jersey Shore restaurants is still open but, moving slowly. Any restaurant in Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic or Cape May county can register to win a free photo shoot. See the application for details (http://www.photography-by-jerry.com/contest). Even if you’re not interested, spread the word!