Cupcakes Gallore

Earlier this month the studio was all about cupcakes from Gigi’s. The smell in the studio has been sa-weet!

After spending a couple of days processing the images, I’m quite pleased with the results. It’s so nice when a shoot goes well. Additionally, having great equipment, super nice client and reasonable schedule makes the food photography formula work, too.

I’ve been shooting with the PhaseOne P40+ digital back and it makes for such nice pixels. Almost 40 megapixels to be exact, almost. In case you don’t know, it’s a medium format camera setup. I’m using the PhaseOne back on a 555 ELD Hasselblad camera body. My lens of choice is usually a 120mm macro.

I thought it be fun to show you a couple details from one of the 31 cupcakes we shot.

This is the full image (scaled down for web resolution) of Gigi’s Chocolate Sundae Cupcake. Processed, color balanced and a little retouching.

This is just a cropped detail of the full image. Doesn’t this look yummy! It might look like ice cream but it’s frosting. Yummy frosting … so I hear.

This is a 1 to 1 detail to show exactly how clean the pixels are at capture.

Confession: While I didn’t eat any food ‘off’ the set (you know my rule), I did find the opportunity to taste a few of the cupcakes that didn’t make it to set. You gotta hate it when one falls over and wrecks it’s appearance and just has to be eaten. Such is the life of a food photographer.

- Kyle

Mega Megapixels

In a world of “more is better” I often find myself fighting for the “less is more” concept. (see Mr. Critical’s prior post) But today, I’m here to tell you, that more megapixels IS better … at least when you couple that with a medium format Phase One digital back, a Hasselblad camera and a superior lens.

First, let me say that not all megapixels are created equal. I’ll go into detail in a subsequent post. The main point is that a bigger sensor size makes for happier megapixels.

So, wanna see what comes from a 31.6 megapixel digital back?

Here’s the final image which is cropped close to full frame.

Here are a few images taken from the image at actual (1:1) size.

Can you see what I mean?

Stay tuned for more happy thoughts and opinions about megapixels.

-Kyle

Willa’s Shortbread – tall on flavor!

It’s Friday and I’m feeling the need to blog. I could probably stand a few laps around the track and a visit to the gym but for now … I’m gonna blog.

A few weeks ago at the Food Network Southern Food & Wine Show I met an industrious and personable gentleman (Eric Rion) who makes a killer shortbread cookie. (The Keylime flavor is my favorite.) As it goes, he hired me to do some food photography for an upcoming Southern Living ad for his product.

I know I’ve many times stated and restated my policy about not eating food off the set. And, I have been faithful to that self-imposed charge. But, when Eric brings extra product which doesn’t even make it to set, then I’ve got to at least give in a bit … and I did. Willa’s Shortbread bites are the ticket!

Below is the shot for his ad. It’s his signature/flagship cookie. Nothing fancy but it sure is good and buttery.

Until next photo shoot … got get ya some Willa’s Shortbread!

- Kyle

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

Day Nineteen – Photo a Day

I’m allowing myself a little grace from this assignment today. While I didn’t actually shoot this today, I did process it today. This is from my Friday shoot with Aux Choux. I love the imperfections of this photo as I was shooting hand-held through a glass in the display case.

- Kyle Dreier