What a day I had today! A combination of one of the hardest days of work in years along with the best meal I’ve ever eaten in my life. And, I did it all standing on my feet.
Team New Jersey
Today, I watched and photographed Team New Jersey prepare a meal for a sell out crowd at the James Beard House. There were five chefs and about five assistants in this tiny kitchen. And boy, did they cook up a storm. Chefs Michael Giletto, Geoff Johnson, Scott Romano, Brian Wilson and Matthew Zappoli prepared an outstanding dinner for the packed house.
Poha Rice–Coated Frogs’ Legs with Kaffir and Key Lime–Chile Sauce
The Hors d’Ouveres were amazing. Each one better than the next. (To be honest I didn’t try the Foie Gras.)
The Hors d’Oeuvre menu consisted of :
Foie Gras Pavé with Cranberry Purée and Potato Bread
Housemade Pork Pastrami with Gremolata and Pepper Aïoli on Celery Crostini
Poha Rice–Coated Frogs’ Legs with Kaffir and Key Lime–Chile Sauce
Taylor Bay Scallops with Pomegranate, Elderflower, and Tequila Cocktail
Black Peppered Veal and Cranberries on Butter Crisps
Wild Boar Brasato with Greek Yogurt and Mustard Greens on Spiced Buckwheat Pancakes
Polenta-Crusted Sweetbreads with Black Garlic and Apple Slaw
Brick-Seared Filet Mignon with Tasso Ham and Parsnips
Working like a well oiled machine getting out the plates.
Then the real work began, preparing 75 of the most elegant and delicious meals to all be served almost simultaneously. It was an amazing site to watch and even more amazing to taste.
Delicious!
But, in keeping with the theme of January 2011, it was snowing and I had to leave to get home. That was one horrible ride home and then trying to get the car in the driveway, I got stuck and had to shovel it out. A lousy ending to an otherwise unbelievable day. Thank you Team New Jersey and the James Beard Foundation.
P.S. – I took over 300 photos that day. To see them all click on any of the photos or http://orders.photography-by-jerry.com/TeamNJ.
Please visit my website at http://www.photography-by-jerry.com to see my portfolio. Remember – shooting in a studio gets much better result than than shooting in a working kitchen with just seconds to get your shot. But, either way, it’s all about the light.
I asked the Jersey Shore chapter of the ACF if I could make a presentation to their members. They were very happy to oblige. At their meeting they were going to present the dishes they are preparing for Winterfest 2011, a charitable event. Then, they had an idea that I can do a demonstration of how I photograph food by shooting the dishes. They could then use the photos on the website to promote Winterfest 2o11 to raise more money. I thought this was a great way of introducing myself to the group and help them raise money so I agreed.
The meeting was last night at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt, NJ. So, I loaded up the car with all of my equipment because you never know what you will find. The meeting was in the mess hall and the troops were still eating and cleaning up when I arrived – not exactly the venue I envisioned (like I said, you never know what you will find.) I set up my seamless, laptop, lights, cameras, business cards, portfolio, and even my ipad to display my work. The meeting started and as they were ready (without any notice), the chefs brought out their dishes. Considering the conditions, the time allotted and the fact that there was no food stylist, I thought that the photos came out quite well. I hope that the photos help them sell tickets for this worthy cause.
The chefs were eating their dinners, which included salad. Then, someone placed a salad plate on the table where I was set up. I did not know that this was the salad to be shot…I thought that they were offering me something to eat. Thank goodness that I decided to use the salad to get my lights and camera ready. I shot the salad and then noticed that the plates were a little nicer than everybody else having dinner. Just to make sure, I took a couple of extra shots of the salad. I’m lucky that I wasn’t hungry that night.
If you can be near Point Pleasant, NJ on February 27, 2011 at 3:30, buy a ticket – no, buy a couple of tickets – for Winterfest 2011, and have a great meal. If it tastes half as good as it looks, you’ll be in for a treat. See you there!
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?
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!
