I cannot ask for a better month — two photo shoots in a month with two international franchises: KFC Brunei and Starbucks Brunei. Three premium desserts for KFC and a Starbucks menu just a week apart have kept me busy with post processing work. Somewhere in between I have had to rush a client’s request to uprezz (yes, there’s such a term) a panoramic landscape shot of Tasek Merimbun to 343 megapixels (45472×7543 pixels) to go onto a wall of JPMC Cancer Center. I am so glad that I had my computer’s cooling sorted before I have had to deal with an avalanche of CPU intensive processing work.
The setup at Starbucks Mabohai outlet: A pair of light stand mounted, radio triggered Canon Speedlite strobes including a third handheld Speedlite, 5D Mark III tethered to a 17-inch Dell Studio laptop for instant, critical review.
It is Starbucks policy to conduct their photo shoot in private but after juggling the idea of just a handful of preferred locations Starbucks Mabohai outlet was chosen even if that meant shooting in full view of passers-by and dine-in patrons. The display and merchandise section of the cafe was cordoned off for food styling and preparation and those who are familiar with my workflow know that I’ll bring a lot of equipment on location. A 17-inch laptop for tethered shooting is an absolute must when dealing with commercially critical images. I can’t imagine four pairs of eyes fighting to view the camera’s 3-inch LCD versus the convenience of a 17-inch display.
Testing light placements and checking exposure of the first item to shoot. A third unmounted light (not pictured) was used where required to provide additional lighting to hard to lift shadow details. Thank you Eric for this picture.
Fast forward five months and coinciding with Starbucks Brunei’s first anniversary, five warm meals are added to the menu.
In the 8 years that I’ve been shooting professionally, I have had numerous opportunities to work with hoteliers, restaurateurs, and their executive/sous chefs of various nationalities. Each one of these assignments offered a different level of satisfaction and experience. I guess part of the attraction of commercial food photography is getting acquainted with the kitchen crew that diners aren’t privy to normally. I see a significant increase in demand for food photography this year compared to just a year ago. I can’t say for sure what the surge is attributed to other than there’s also a jump in number of eateries opening in the Brunei capital.
“Respect is a two-way street, if you want to get it, you’ve got to give it.”
― R. G. Risch
With food photography comes food styling comes art and I for one prefers simplicity when it comes to styling. Don’t mistake a plain looking dish to lack styling when in fact it may have been styled for simplicity and elegance. And who better to style the dishes than their creator – the chefs who ultimately creates the art for their patrons to enjoy. I titled this post “Chefs are artists too” because I respect their profession and the artistry that comes with that profession. It’s evident from the photos below the dedication and effort the chefs put into their creation. This post features chefs from All Seasons Restaurant, D’ Pinang Cafe, Radisson Hotel and The Empire Hotel & Country Club.
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Chef preps lobsters topped with melted mozzarella cheese.Chef Wong showcases the art of deep frying, puts the finishing touches before it gets photographed.
Chef Wong torches a Buttermilk Cheese Crab for shoot at All Seasons Restaurant.Buttermilk Cheese Crab – one of a number of ways I photographed this dish.
It was a pleasure working with Chef Muhammad and the team from the Fisheries Dept (headed by Hamidah) to produce their first proper Seafood Cookbook. I first saw Chef Muhammad in April 2009 when he assisted TV personality Bobby Chinn at DST (BSB) and Early Childhood (KB) cooking demos. The cookbook will consist of 40 dishes and will be a bilingual publication (English and Malay).
Chef Muhammad putting the finishing touches on a dish called Ikan Kukus Bersambal.
This work of art was created specially for the recipe book cover although there are other pictures they could use too.
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Executive Chef Cameron pictured here prepping ‘Selection of Scones, Maccarons & Jams’ and ‘Malay Kuih” for next shoot.Executive Chef Cameron preps a plate of Greek Salad with extra dressing.
TASEK BRASSERIE: Greek Salad (left) and my favourite Caesar Salad with Poached Egg.DEALS: Gratinated Cod Fish with Almond Crumb served with Pakchoy and Prawn EmulsionDEALS: Angus Beef Rib-eye with Spinach and Sweet Potato Puree
It was a privilege to work with Executive Sous Chef Henry Tan and his team. His experience and attention to detail are attributes that sync well with my eye for detail in food photography. We collectively rejected shot after shot until we got the composition and details right on minimizing need for post-processing.
SHIMWORLD 