I'm a bit late with this post on the food photography workshop presented by Billy of A Table for Two (I attended the session held on 24th April). But Billy has just announced another 2 workshops in June, so it's timely after all.
The workshop was held in the private dining room next door to Mumu Grill in Crows Nest. The room also backs onto the restaurant's kitchen, as we found out when quite a bit of smoke started seeping into the room just before lunch. Never mind, the topics in the workshop are interesting enough to make you ignore the fact that you are suffocating...
The attendees for this workshop included foodbloggers and non-foodbloggers, and most wielded DSLR cameras. Only myself and another blogger had compact cameras, though of a higher spec than the usual. It helps if you understand your camera's usage and controls before coming to the course. A knowledge of photo-editing software is also useful.
Most of us use Photoshop, and Billy also showed us Lightroom, which is looks like a great product. He also covered subjects like photo composition, restaurant etiquette (to ask or not to ask), publishing on blogs and keyword searches.
Although I already knew about some of the things we discussed, I picked up a couple of useful tips, including how to use spot metering, which is something I'd never bothered with before.
Getting up close and personal with our food
Speaking of lunch... a benefit of the workshop is that you get to eat the food that you photograph, and such fabulous food it is too. My previous meal at Mumu Grill was for Duckfest 2010, and the food this time was even better.
Lunch included a selection of appetisers, including figs wrapped in prosciutto and goat's cheese. The main of t-bone tagliata was amazingly tender and tasty, accompanied by duck fat potatoes and cherry tomato salad. Dessert plate included rhubarb cake and pavlova.
Just to prove I was paying attention, here is a photo that has had things done to it, as I learned on the course. Spot the difference.
Some of the adjustments include: white balance, cropping, levels, and soft light filter.
If you want to learn more about how to improve your photos, and get a good feed at the same time, I can highly recommend ATFT's photography workshop - A satisfied customer
Bel, I always like your pics - wouldn't have known that you've been using a compact if you didn't mention it :)
ReplyDeleteThe food does look great - esp the figs wrapped in prosciutto. Yum!
Beautiful wrap up Bel! I could go for some more T-bone tagliatta again! It is the stuff dreams are made of; so delicious.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are wonderful.
Hee hee sounds like a fun and educational (ad tasty) experience!
ReplyDeleteIt was a great workshop. I went to the 1st one. very well done on the last picture!!
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that you could eat the stuff after photographing it!! Just a tasty bonus! These workshops sound interesting, I've always enjoyed your work anyway!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Wish there is one here in Melbourne as well. YOu take beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. Every post I have seen of this event have been wonderfully positive. I think I need to go to the upcoming workshop :)
ReplyDeleteI'm totally kicking myself for missing this! I was on call (again!). Sounds like it was a very knowledgeable evening - will definitely go to the next one! :)
ReplyDeletegreat to hear it was worthwhile. and you get a really yummy meal too. when i get a chance i hope to post my photographic tips as well which i've learnt over the years :-)
ReplyDeleteIt was a great day wasn't it? Informative and delicious and I'm loving your photo's! If I wasn't sitting next to you in the workshop and if you didn't just mention you use a compact, your photo's look like ones from a DSLR.
ReplyDeleteHi Belle! Aww shame I didn't get a chance to meet you, went to the same workshop. We got there just in time to start, it was hard to drag the boy out of bed so early on a Saturday morning. I am still yet to go through all my photos so havn't blogged about it.
ReplyDeletehehe, lovin the before and after shot. Was it hard to resist pigging out in front of all those people? Sounds like a great workshop!
ReplyDeleteI need some assistance, methinks. Guess I can't use the excuse of having a little compact camera eh? ;)
ReplyDeleteHey Bel, I can't believe those two photos are from the same shot-that's so nice. I wish I could find a class like this near me, especially at a nice restaurant with food (eating and photographing it). Very nice...
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a nice time, and I hope you'll post with more tips if you attend the next classes!