Shoot the Chef Competition with Nikon
The World Loves Melbourne was invited along for a fabulous photography masterclass, Shoot the Chef, a food photography demonstration with Fairfax Media photographer Eddie Jim and executive head chef of Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Ashley Palmer-Watts. We watched the magic unfold with a live action tether to the photographer's camera as Eddie launched out for his "shoots the chef" images - and he offered his tips to improve your own food photography.
There was a sense of theatre as Eddie divulged some of his own photographic tips, at one stage standing on a table to capture a "flat" shot above the dish. The World Loves Melbourne was able to borrow a D500 to shoot photographs on the day.
Ashley Palmer-Watts from Dinner by Heston Blumenthal is a consumate professional and one of the best chefs in the world. He is adept when it comes to demonstrations and being on camera. And he is also adept at working with a host of photographers over the years - so it was interesting to hear his perspectives. At one stage he wanted Eddie to get down lower in photographing a dish to pick up more of the detail.
Ashley Palmer-Watts cooked 3 dishes including Meat Fruit and Frumenty - iconic dishs from Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.
Some of the things Eddie shared were technical but of great interest to the bloggers, media and enthusiasts present. Eddie prefers to shoot with natural light in most situations. He also likes to liaise with the chefs and ask them permission in taking photos in the first place.
About Shoot the Chef 2016 exhibition
Shoot the Chef is Fairfax Media's annual competition combining Australia's passion for food and photography. The brief for entrants is simple: shoot a chef, or your interpretation of one. It can be a three-hat chef, your favourite short-order cook or just a talented kid in the kitchen. The winner and finalists will be on display at Crown Riverwalk Southbank from Friday, November 11 until Sunday, November 20. Entry is free.
