New Series – To Be Continued

I’ve started a new series of images based on a concept that came to me the later part of last year (Fall 2009). What’s exciting to me is as I’m now only three images into the series, the legs on the concept continue grow … I’ve got thumbnails for about a couple of dozen photographs of the concept or variations there of.

Photographing this concept is definitely going to be much of my focus (no pun intended) for my personal work this year and likely leading into next year. I get excited by the main idea, the individual photos and their execution … in fact, I’m guilty of doing the victory dance when an image comes together just as I’ve envisioned. (side note: the victory dance is only seen on set and shall not be performed for the simple pleasure of observers.)

One thing I truly enjoy is ‘getting it right’ in camera. So often photographers (I’m guilty) will brush off some aspect of the shoot to fix later in Photoshop. Sure, maybe it can be fixed later by why not fix it now? Why not spend two or three minutes to get the lighting just right instead of ten or more minutes in front of a computer to ‘get it right’ after the fact? (I’ll save my rant on this topic for a later post.)

So, because I can’t yet reveal the details of my project, I thought I’d tease you with some behind the scenes shots. Pardon the quality of these images, they are hand-held, 1600 ISO with my DSLR and literally no consideration for production value or public consumption outside of this blog entry.

There. Is that enough disclaimer?

Sorry, I had to blur out some incriminating evidence. The food’s anonymity is vital to this project. Not really, I just like keeping things under wraps until I’m ready to reveal the series. What I can tell you about this particular shoot was it involved sushi and sake. There, I’ve probably already told you too much.

- Kyle

ps. We have added two of the images from this series in my physical book (AKA food portfolio), so if you really want to see you can. Call Mollie.

“Frozen” Margarita Food Styling

Well, I don’t think I’ve ever seen something look so good but be so toxic. This is made from a material that is designed to help plants grow … but it’s doing it’s job as a frozen margarita on set for food photography.

This morning I’m breaking down the set from the shoot late yesterday and the drink actually still looks half decent. One issue I ran into with this particular food styling technique was color. You’ll see from the images below that my formula looks more like a bellini than a margarita. So, in post production I had to swing color on the margarita portion.

I continue to work more on the drink and pour section of my food photography portfolio. Look for updates over the next few weeks. It’s yet another part of my work that I enjoy … it’s challenging, it’s technical, it’s creative … and it’s related to food!

Rotier’s Hamburger – Nashville

I received an assignment from Charlotte Magazine in North Carolina to photograph a famed burger from Rotier’s in Nashville, TN. How could I resist … that’s a dream assignment!

This is one of the outtakes from the food photography session. You’ll have to wait to see the selected food photographs until it is published.

Rotier

I sure love being a food photographer in Nashville.

- Kyle

Food. Test. Shoot.

I’m long overdue for a post to the bog, but things have been beyond busy.

I am very grateful for abundance of work these days, particularly with the news that airs nightly. Honestly, I think this is a great time to be in business for yourself … despite the unfair taxation. I digress.

Today I was putting together a few test shots for a potential client. This is probably my favorite way to shoot … loose parameters, flexible deadlines, and food. (disclaimer/confession: I did not sample the subjects, however I was highly tempted … these pepper jellies smell awesome.)

Raspberry Pepper Jelly, Blackberry Pepper Jelly and Strawberry Pepper Jelly.

Blackberry Pepper Jelly

Blackberry Pepper Jelly

That’s all for now.

-Kyle

Ugly? Coffee? Yummy!

Well, I’ve just finished up a shoot for Ugly Mug Coffee Company out of Memphis, Tennessee. Not only was this a fun product to shoot, the company is a great company to work for. They have a great mission … they basically support the coffee growers who are normally exploited. Gotta love a company with a heart.

Chai Latte

Ugly Mug Coffee

I’m looking forward to our next photo session to shoot more of their product.

- Kyle