Restaurant Food Photography

Posted on January 26, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography

When traveling and eating at restaurants whether on land or sea, you do not have the luxury of using a tripod or controlling the light.  As I knew I would be traveling to Walt Disney World and going on a cruise, I put the Food Photography assignment first for 2011.  Here are my results.

Grilled Buffalo Striploin with Artisan Cheese and Macaroni at the Artist Point restaurant in the Wilderness Lodge resort at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.

Grilled Buffalo Striploin with Artisan Cheese and Macaroni at the Artist Point restaurant in the Wilderness Lodge resort at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/60s, f/5, ISO 2000, EV +0.3, 28mm focal length, rear-sync flash at -1.0 power.

Artist Point was designed after the grand dining rooms found in National Park lodges across the Pacific Northwest of the United States and features foods based on cuisine from the same region.  Entrees like Cedar Plank Salmon, Fisherman’s Stew and Buffalo meats adorn the menu.

The following morning, we were bused to the Disney Dream where the Royal Palace was my first restaurant for dinner on the new ship.  Lighting was not the best but the tables were set for a king.

Royal Palace Aged Angus Grilled Beef Tenderloin and Lobster Medallions in the Royal Palace restaurant on the Disney Dream.

Royal Palace Aged Angus Grilled Beef Tenderloin and Lobster Medallions in the Royal Palace restaurant on the Disney Dream. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/40s, f/5, ISO 800, EV 0, 65mm focal length, rear sync flash at -1 power.

After such a meal, a light dessert was in order.

Grand Marnier Souffle infused with fresh orange zest and served with creme Anglaise in the Royal Palace restaurant of the Disney Dream.

Grand Marnier Souffle infused with fresh orange zest and served with creme Anglaise in the Royal Palace restaurant of the Disney Dream. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/40s, f/5, ISO 800, EV 0, 62mm focal length, rear synch flash at -1 power.

The next evening we dined at the Animator’s Palate restaurant which featured interactive entertainment with the sea turtle, Crush, from the animated feature, Finding Nemo, and this tasty entree.

White Shrimp Pennette Pasta tossed with a basil and Reggiano Parmesan cheese sauce and topped with a parmesan cheese wafer in Animator's Palate restaurant on the Disney Dream.

White Shrimp Pennette Pasta tossed with a basil and Reggiano Parmesan cheese sauce and topped with a parmesan cheese wafer in Animator’s Palate restaurant on the Disney Dream. Nikon D700, 1/40s, f/5, ISO 800, EV -1.0, 28mm focal length, rear sync flash at -1 power.

Back on land, I enjoyed the best breakfast dish in the entire Walt Disney World resort, in my opinion, at the Polynesian Resort’s Kona Cafe restaurant. Feast your eyes on Tonga Toast.

Tonga Toast is a banana stuffed sourdough bread, rolled in cinnamon sugar and served with Strawberry Compote at the Kona Cafe in Walt Disney World's Polynesian Resort.

Tonga Toast is a banana stuffed sourdough bread, rolled in cinnamon sugar and served with Strawberry Compote at the Kona Cafe in Walt Disney World’s Polynesian Resort. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/30s, f/4, ISO 500, EV -0.7, 42mm focal length.

You will notice I used flash to control the light in all but the last photo.  Something many food photographers do not like nor recommend using including IvoryHut in the guest blog show wrote for this assignment.  However, when I was confronted with restaurant lighting, the use of flash bounced off a ceiling or nearby wall really helped to illuminate the food and bring out the colors and textures.

This is my submission to Assignment 11: Food Photography.

If you are interested in more information on a Disney Cruise or Disney themepark vacation, contact my wife at merrie@dreamsunlimitedtravel.com 

(just click her email address above)

She has been booking and planning Disney trips for satisfied travelers exclusively for 18 years.

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View 161: Back from a Dream

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography
The Disney Dream awaiting its christening ceremony at Port Canaveral, Florida.

The Disney Dream awaiting its christening ceremony at Port Canaveral, Florida. Nikon D700/28-300VR, f/14, ISO 200, EV -0.7, 28mm focal length, HDR Image.

My first real look at the Disney Cruise Line’s new ship, the Disney Dream, was as I was walked out of the terminal to the bleachers for the christening ceremony.  She is one impressive sight being 1,115 feet in length, 14 decks high, 130,000 tonnes with 1,250 staterooms and has the capacity to comfortably accommodate 4,000 passengers and almost 1,500 crew members. Three main dining rooms and two optional adult only restaurants. Entertainment is everywhere from Broadway-like shows in the Walt Disney Theatre, first run movies with 3-D and state of the art sound system, deck parties, fireworks (Disney is the only cruise line that does this), spas and itineraries which include a stop on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

Disney CEO Bob Iger with Disney Dream Godmother, Jennifer Hudson (singing in tan dress) and Walt Disney Parks & Resorts chairman, Tom Staggs, on stage during the Disney Dream christening ceremony.

Disney CEO Bob Iger with Disney Dream Godmother, Jennifer Hudson (singing in tan dress) and Walt Disney Parks & Resorts chairman, Tom Staggs, on stage during the Disney Dream christening ceremony. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/500s, f/11, ISO 200, EV -0.3, 300mm focal length.

Disney VIPs where on hand to christen the Disney Dream along with Jennifer Hudson who is the Dream’s Godmother.  Did you know all ships have Godmothers?  I didn’t.  There were other celebrities on board like Whoopie Goldberg and John Stamos who I got to see a few times during the cruise.

Disney Dream Christening Cruise champagne glasses before being filled and distributed to passengers.

Disney Dream Christening Cruise champagne glasses before being filled and distributed to passengers for the Sailing Away party. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/320s, f/11, ISO 200, EV 0, 42mm focal length.

During the Sailing Away party on Decks 11 and 12, thousands of commemorative champagne glasses where filled and distributed.  Kids got non-alcoholic versions in the same glasses.  Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Daisy and Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto and Chip & Dale were all on hand to give the Dream a proper Disney sendoff much to the delight of all the passengers, young and old.

The Disney Dream docked at Castaway Cay where passengers disembark from Deck 2.

The Disney Dream docked at Castaway Cay where passengers disembark from Deck 2. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/500s, f/11, ISO 200, EV 0, 28mm focal length.

The size of the Disney Dream really hit me when I left to enjoy Castaway Cay.  Looking up from the dock, the Dream looms overhead and it is impossible even with a wide angle lens to photograph her from stem to stern there.

Sorcerer Mickey is featured on the stern of the Disney Dream.

Sorcerer Mickey is featured on the stern of the Disney Dream. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/200s, f/14, ISO 400, EV 0, 135mm focal length.

The Christening cruise lasted only two nights and was not enough time to fully explore all the Disney Dreams features.  I will say this, I will be back!

If you are interested in more information on a Disney Cruise or Disney themepark vacation, contact my wife at merrie@dreamsunlimitedtravel.com 

(just click her email address above)

She has been booking and planning Disney trips for satisfied travelers exclusively for 18 years.

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Rejected and Crushed

Posted on January 21, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography
Rejected soda cans crushed into a brick for recycling.

Rejected soda cans crushed into a brick for recycling. Nikon D700/50mm, 1/60s, f/3.2, ISO 800, EV +0.3.

During a lunch break at work, I wandered around the plant and came upon a brick of metal cans from rejected sodas ready to be sent to the recycling facility.  In the past, I would have not given the brick a second glance.  However, remembering my goal to work on seeing photographic opportunities, I went over to the brick (pictured below) and found various compositions using recognizable brands.

The photo I selected for my first post on the Art of Seeing is anchored by Pepsi and Mountain Dew cans floating on a sea of mangled metal. Taking the photo using the Nifty Fifty, Nikon 50mm f/1.8D lens, allowed a shallow depth of field to separate the cans from very busy back and foregrounds.  I processed the photo in Aperture 3 by first applying the Toy Camera preset to saturate the colors and add a vignette.  I recovered all the highlights using the Recovery slider which brought out the metallic texture.

A brick of metal soda cans ready to be recycled.

A brick of metal soda cans ready to be recycled.

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Belly Up to the Dessert Bar

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography

As you read this I am somewhere between Port Canaveral, Florida and Disney’s Castaway Cay Caribbean island on the Disney Dream cruise ship.

I could not leave without a little something to remind you of my latest photo assignment on Food Photography.  With apologies to anyone who resolved to go on a diet for New Year’s.  I present the dessert bar from Chef Mickey’s restaurant in Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

The dessert bar at Chef Mickey's restaurant in Disney's Contemporary Resort.

The dessert bar at Chef Mickey's restaurant in Disney's Contemporary Resort. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/125s, f/5.6, ISO 720, EV -0.3, 28mm focal length, flash bounced off HIGH ceiling at full power.

Almost forgot.  See where the lady is behind the dessert bar? She’s in the blue and white blouse. That’s a Make-Your-Own Ice Cream Sundae bar.  Cheers and good eating!  You know I am on this trip. 😀

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View 160: Disney Dream-ing

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography

Disney Dream Christening Cruise documents.

My wife had a very good year as a Disney travel agent for Dreams Unlimited Travel.  She was awarded a new Apple 32GB 3G iPad for being one of Dreams Unlimited Travel’s Top Sales Agents in 2010.  Earlier in the year, she won a cruise from the Disney Cruise Line (DCL).

This is not just any cruise, mind you. It is the Christening Cruise for DCL’s brand new ship, the Disney Dream, which sails later this week. As luck would have it, her winning cruise was for two and I will be accompanying her.  Life is rough, you know? 😉

I will be tweeting out photos and comments from my Disney account, @Scottwdw. Follow me for updates or check in to watch the fun. I might be able to post from the Disney Dream as it cruises on the Atlantic Ocean.  Won’t that be something!

Keep working on the Food Photography assignment while I am gone.  Gee, wonder where my food photos will be coming from?

 

Posted in Travel, Weekly View | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments