Food porn photos "no food photo" policy

Mods feel free to move this.

A story about chefs getting pissed at people taking pictures of their own meal.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/03/26/the-problem-with-food-porn-tourism.html

 

I always get a kick out of people who take themselves so seriously.

 

Personally, I don't take pictures of my food... but I reserve the right to do it.

I mean... c'mon. I'm paying for it. I can't take a picture of something that I'm paying for?

 

I don't blame the chefs. It's their art and most food looks disgusting when photographed (check out Yelp). I also wish people would put their phones down for five seconds and enjoy the world in front of them. Like when you go to a concert and you can only see through other people's screens because everyone has to take endless photos. I saw Willie Nelson last year. The guy is 80, he's not moving around but the woman in front of me took 10,000 pictures and blocked my view. And the 20-somethings beside her spent the whole time taking pictures of themselves watching the concert.

 

They can say they might ban cameras... but almost everybody has a cellphone now and thats how probably the majority take their photos.

Otherwise seems pretty stupid to be upset about it to me: if your food looks good and makes people want it then its like free advertising... if your food looks bad or like it'll taste horrible then there are other ways you could fix that than worrying about people taking pictures.

And taking the stance of "people are letting their food get cold while they take and share pictures" doesn't wash because:
a) How fast does the food get cold? You serving them in an ice house or something?
b) You can't dictate how people have to eat their food. Some eat right away, some don't. Some eat fast, some eat slow.
c) Does the food really lose so much flavor after just a couple of minutes of sitting there?

 

I didn't say it was logical, just posting as a FYI.

 

These chefs need to get over themselves. I'll be on the Amalfi in a couple months for a wedding and I think I'm gonna have to stop in that guy's restaurant with my Rebel T3i .

 

Not trying to hijack this thread, but how was the Willie Nelson show? We were thinking of seeing him later this year and was just curious. Thanks!

 

It was very enjoyable. He was the headliner on one night of an outdoor music festival in my city (Jazzfest, of all things). I'm no huge fan and wouldn't have travelled for the show but when I found out he was playing, I immediately knew I wanted to see him. He's a legend. He shuffled out to the mic and I'd say played for two hours. Just went from song to song to song, told a few stories in between, etc. Worth it. Especially on a beautiful summer night in the open air.

 

Any chef tries to pull that crap on us and he will regret it. Not only will I never return to that establishment, but I will make quite a fuss right then and there with the management, and make sure said fuss gets publicized muchly. I bought the food - I'll do what I want with it. Chefs need to get a grip.

 

I have a few friends who are, among other things, food photographers. Do NOT have dinner with them!

Silly stuff. But I will add: If someone is making a big fuss, parading around the table, well, then, maybe that person is affecting others' enjoyment. Beyond that? Go away, chef.

 

Thanks for the response. I feel the exact same way.

 

I am what they call a "deliberate culinary traveler" local eats are the main attraction in my travels, I photograph food at any new place I try (at home or abroad). Unless I happen to be without a camera or the lighting is simply too poor.

I will not use a flash, though; I try to be considerate of other diners (the few instances I have used flash, I've been the only diner in my section or in the restaurant). I am discreet. I take a quick snapshot and enjoy my meal. Literally, 30 seconds go by before I dig in. If the dish suffers, there are bigger issues than my photograph.

Amateur photos tend to show what you can actually expect. If it takes a professional crew to properly light and photograph your food, I feel it's not a real representation of what the typical diner can expect. If your food looks like slop perhaps it's time for the chef to work on presentation.

On the flipside, I've read about restaurants that encourage photos, I believe it was The Eiffel Tower restaurant at Paris that will even bring over a small flashlight to enhance the lighting. It's free advertising, after all.

I've taken photos at hundreds of restaurants in the US, Canada, Mexico and Italy (even in Amalfi). Not once have I even received a dirty look from staff or diners.

 

I think our resident culinary expert, Beeejay of Red Lobster fame, should weigh in.

I am not a picture taker, but...

If they post a rule, it is a free market and I could choose whether or not to patronize their business.

If nothing is posted and I was asked to not take one or delete the one I had taken, I would give the chef a choice of me walking out and not paying or me keeping/taking a photograph. Amazing how their intellectual property would take a backseat to their bottom line in two seconds.

 

I take a lot of food photos. My friends who dine with me in Vegas are so used to it now that some of them pose their food for me. All of them know not to eat before I have taken a photo. Yes, they are very tolerant!

So far my experience has only been positive as far as chefs and restaurants in regards to photos, most seem to actually want their food photos shared via social media and encourage it. Perhaps it's the restaurants and chefs that have confidence in their food and plating skills that encourage or at least don't mind photos being taken and shared on the internet.

 

If anyone likes some great food porn, run, don't walk over to the blogs of vegasbound and evoni! Such great stuff from both of them.

Thank you so much, ladies!