But really, why have I given up food photography? I feel like right now I just want to focus on words (however, I did update my Guide to Food Photography recently). I think with the proliferation of so much food photography, we've forgotten what makes covering food compelling - the writing. Even now, I feel like all I really do is scan over photos on many of the blogs I read. I feel like this just lets me come to my own conclusion about the food I'm seeing, rather than letting the writer or blogger do the talking.
I also think that writing about restaurant experiences with the sole use of words allows me to really process the meal, whereas photos sometimes work as a crutch. It makes a food writer lazy in some ways.
Then again, I have stumbled upon some very good blogs recently that have changed my paradigm of what a food blog can be. A friend introduced to a wonderful blog called The High-Heeled Contessa, where a NYC fashionista takes on the world of food a la Jeffrey Steingarten. Her writing is incredibly funny and engaging. I also really enjoy Tiny Urban Kitchen, which combines sensible writing with more or less stunning photography. I actually want to find out how she manages to take such excellent photos is very dark dining environments. Her coverage of restaurants like Per Se, The French Laundry, and Le Bernardin simply inspire me.
It's refreshing to see the high-quality content these food blogs are producing. Sadly, in time, many major publications such as the New York Times Food Section won't be able to compete with these blogs. Right now, the Gray Lady wins for food writing. But wait ten years. The Food Section as we know it may no longer exist.
It's great to see that people across the U.S. and even the world (Tastespotting has many overseas submitters) really care about good food photography.
What makes food photography ultimately compelling it that it leads us to do one of five things: it makes us hungry, it makes us think about food, it makes us cook food, it makes us seek restaurant food, and it makes us care about what we eat. Food photography, like food writing, is a strong engine for promoting good eating around the world.
So when will I start picking up the camera and start taking photographs myself? Hopefully sooner rather than later. I do miss lugging around a camera and making a bit of a fool of myself in restaurants. Actually, take that back. After this New York Times Food Section piece about photos people are taking of their food, I'm not really alone.
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OK, you really didn't think I wasn't going to let you go without showing you some photos right? These are some never-before-seen "special collection" photos I took when I was traveling in Asia this past year. Hope you enjoy.
Korean Spicy Gooksoo Noodles
Korean Hot Dogs from Sung Sim Dang Bakery in Dae Jeon
Army Stew
Pork Grilling Over SootBull Fire in Seoul
Real Spicy Rice Cakes on the Street ($2 Bucks!)
Padang Style Lunch in Surabaya, Indonesia
Crispy Duck in Bali
Roast Balinese Pig in Ubud
10 comments:
Congrats on the new job & can I have a Korean hot dog, please?
Mattatouille,
Thanks for the shout out :)! And your great food photography tips... I need them desperately. "Try not to shoot a dish more than 2 ways. It gets annoying." Heh I especially needed to hear that one. My friends are too nice to tell me that over dinner.
I just got a Canon S90, but have a ton ton of learning ahead. But I'll be sure to reference your tips, especially when eating out in dark restaurants.
OMG that roast Balinese pig looks incredible. Too bad it's not accessible in this country (or at least one that is as good as THAT one). But at least there's K-town... I have a serious craving for gooksoo after looking at your pictures.
xo
HH Contessa
Hi Matt,
I have often read your posts and aspired to describe the things I eat as vividly as you do. However, your pictures are also amazing--as evident by the ones you chose to include at the end of this post. They were a nice little gift for the eyes :) I especially liked the one of the lunch table.
Great photos! I want those hot dogs...now!!
Matt,
While it's impressive when a great food writer can make readers feel like they're dining in a restaurant, even great writing can benefit from photos. A combination of photos and words is the best way to convey an experience.
Oh man, those two Bali photos take me back. (Although that photo of roast pig, which I'm assuming is from Ibu Oka, looks far better in your photo than I remember it looking in person!)
Was that duck from the Dirty Duck Diner? When were you in Bali?
Lovely lovely photos! And thanks so much for the really nice statements about my blog. I keep saying I plan on writing a blog post about how to take photos at restaurants. Perhaps you've inspired me to start working on that post! In short, I have a 20mm f/1.7 lens that I bring. I hold my hand REALLY still (sometimes using the self timer) to capture photos in really dark restaurants w/o light.
Liz: you can get a korean hot dog at paris baguette.
HH Contessa: An S90 is a good camera. you need some LA Ktown food - the real stuff :)
Food je taime: thank you! I love both food writing and photography. Nice photos from Ludobites.
Peter: those hot dogs are good!
Josh: Photos definitely help, but the best food writing goes without photos, in my opinion. Pictures are worth a thousand words, but something 100 good words are enough to outdo a photo.
Zach: that definitely is the duck from Bali! the lighting was great that day, I really like that photo on full screen. Bali sure does have some unique food finds, though most of the stuff in the tourist areas are blase.
Tiny Urban Kitchen: Wow, very cool lens! I think I might suggest that pancake lens with micro 4/3's for people who want the "ultimate" in lightweight restaurant photo gear. I usually prescribe the S90. I really love your photos because they have character and convey the food perfectly. I will add your blog to my blogroll.
beautiful photos!
Cooking, recipes, words, photos! We are fortunate to enjoy inspiration from all kinds of food blogs.
LL
P.S.
Your photos ROCK!
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