Restaurant Shots

[Noel_]

Been doing some shots for a friends restaurant, it's my first "gig" if you want to call it that. Naturally they are heavily processed as the goal is to sell, make you thirsty, hungry or just generally hang out there.

Let's start with food. Lessons learned here were; try to retain shape as best you can, saturated colors = good and most importantly, natural light is KING.

1.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2192/2471626127_02d4aa08a8_o.jpg

2.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/2471626035_6d5b916365_o.jpg

3.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3047/2471626375_d6999b2846_o.jpg

Next up, Cocktails. Lessons learned: If the drink itself is "murky" and doesn't let in much light, it's going to be tough so you'll need to compensate with a strong environmental background (i.e. unless the inside is beautiful, take it outside).

4.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2051/2472448792_3ed4d4322a_o.jpg

Kitchen! Had lots of fun here. Feels like you're shooting sports, i.e. anticipating the next move so prepare quickly :) Lessons learned: Capture the action to give the viewer an understanding of its creation (requires tripod), black & white = visually more hygienic kitchen and be sure none of the staff have jewelry/watches/rings on! The kitchen was spotless, but the viewer needs to understand that too:

5.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3263/2472449134_566c2e66a6_o.jpg

6.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/2472449076_ce913bc98a_o.jpg

Decor. Lessons learned: Bring a tripod (duh), make sure everything looks like it's supposed too (i.e. alignment forks, napkins, chairs, etc.), try getting a foreground / middleground / background as much as you can, create or add your own lighting in PS.

7.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3166/2472448874_17e5cfd10a_o.jpg

[Noel_]

8.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3174/2472449208_0186f0037a_o.jpg

Guests! Probably the most challenging part. You want good times but at the same time not recognizable faces. I had to alter my goal here slightly and also play around with blur where needed. Not sure if this worked, you tell me!

9.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2298/2472449272_684647aabd_o.jpg

10.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/2471626311_deaa9e0619_o.jpg

Thank you for looking at this thread. I am by no means a professional photographer, but I thought it might be useful to share my experiences. If you have any criticism or feedback, by all means share! I appreciate whatever constructive comments I receive....

Cheers :)

[drmanolo]

Nice job.... I really liked the decor shots. About the food... this might help... it seems a little bother the background colors. I have tried the same food on a plate... but on a white cardboard or cake paper inside my lightbox. Natural light is GOOOOOD but without disturbing backgrounds.

Love the cup shot!!!!

[RandyMN]

Well you certainly made me hungry except for that one that looks like someone spit on it...

[Noel_]

Thanks guys, I actually enjoyed having the backgrounds there, added some uniqueness to the whole set of shots (imho). But food on white is definitely more versatile later on.

Cheers

[KAS]

Food is always really hard to make look good in a photo. Partly why I don't really go after that kind of thing. You've done an excellent job! I think the owner will be very pleased (I know I would be). All those dishes look delicious!

[roman_t]

good job. makes me go to the frige :-)

[Noel_]

Thank you both! :)

[Flo]

Really Well Done! The colors are fabulous, lighting is marvelous, and you have certainly set the mood for me. I would be thrilled to have these.

[Tee Why]

I'm not a fan of selective coloring, but otherwise, I think they look very nice.

[Wyn]

looks so good!

[angryhampster]

Food is always really hard to make look good in a photo. Partly why I don't really go after that kind of thing. You've done an excellent job! I think the owner will be very pleased (I know I would be). All those dishes look delicious!


Agreed 100%. I've never been able to achieve and appetizing food shot.


Great photos, OP.

[Grande Latte]

I do love your thread. The pics and the explanations really help me understand how you took your photos. I'm an amateur photographer so I always enjoy learning from other members. Please post soon in the future and I hope others can do the same.

[Mark1]

WOW they work for me! A few of the interior are a bit dark. It may really be that dear in real life, but the loss of detail trumps the look I think.

[Noel_]

Thank you for the kind comments all, I'm glad ppl enjoy them.

[bluesmap]

thanks for the stories detailed in each photo. very well done.

for the food/drink shots what was your technique? can you explain a little about what you used and how you got the end result?

you've made me both hungry and thirsty.....and im not talking about thirst for water :D

[Noel_]

Thanks bluesmap,

Food, I did next to a window inside using a silver reflector to get some more light in on the darker side. Taking those RAW's, I used HDR and then some other PS tools to polish the pics, here a before and after:

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/3643/img7979ew6.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2192/2471626127_02d4aa08a8_o.jpg

Drink was very similar, however I added some lighting effects into the glass itself to give some pop...

Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions..

[pixelharmony]

Food looks tasty and the restaurant looks expensive :) Nice shots for your first gig

[bluesmap]

did you take 3 shots for the HDR or did you use one RAW shot for the hdr effect?

also, positioning of the reflector relative to where you were? i've never used a reflector but i might need to soon my friend owns a restaurant and wants some shots when i get a chance to go there.

and thanks.
again, i am starvin now

[BottomBracket]

Very, very well done! Impressive shots, it looks like I am flipping through a gourmet magazine.

[atlbraves5656]

they are all excellent but i truly like the margarita one. the colors are awesome

[AeroSmith]

Great series. Now I'm hungry and I want a martini. :)

[Noel_]

Thank you all !

You'll see once you get a reflector, you play around with it till you get it right. In this case it was a matter of diverting sunlight into the shade (i.e. opposite side).

HDR was done through single RAW.