Comments on: James Beard Foundation Award Winner In Photography – 2009

By: HLTX

HLTX — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:41:05 +0000

I’m a food photographer… and can only say that the food stylist as far as i’m concerned is the most important person on my team. It can really make or break a shoot.

By: Juusto

Juusto — Sun, 17 May 2009 08:53:24 +0000

Lara Kastner’s images are excellent from an aesthetic point of view. There are some annoying technical flaws however, most notably many completely blown highlites. The cmyk-conversion of the book is done either in a stupid hurry or by someone not up to the task and this ruins several images which is a pity.
This is pretty common these days and unfortunately I see this as a growing tendency.

By: Tuan

Tuan — Sun, 17 May 2009 04:25:12 +0000

The photography is fantastic. A lot of food photography seems to be stuck in the same stylistic rut – I applaud Mr. Davies in bringing his own aesthetic to these photos.

I should mention that the Alinea cookbook (which won the “Cooking From A Professional Point of View” award) has spectacular photography of similarly excellent caliber. Photographer Lara Kastner did an excellent job – some of the photos are available on the Alinea site:

http://www.alinea-restaurant.com/pages/gallery/gallery_top.html

and on her site:

http://www.larakastner.com/

Tuan

By: Adriana Mullen

Adriana Mullen — Wed, 13 May 2009 22:49:21 +0000

Food is a very difficult subject to shoot. He did an outstanding job!

By: Mason

Mason — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:33:18 +0000

@A Photo Editor, You’re right of course, and I’m sure the complicated studio lighting was even more so because of the nature of the food’s properties + concepts they were capturing. My comment was more a reaction to the photographer getting all the credit for the book. There’s a difference between ‘Best Film’ and ‘Best Director.’

By: A Photo Editor

A Photo Editor — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:11:48 +0000

@Mason,
The book won the award but I disagree that these pictures are just food styling. Regardless it’s under the direction of the photographer just like the rest of the crew and you have no idea what was involved.

By: J. Wesley Brown

J. Wesley Brown — Tue, 12 May 2009 20:19:10 +0000

A chef friend of mine has that and let me just say, it’s the best food photography I’ve ever seen / imagined. Well deserved!

PS. The chef’s are eligible for different awards.

By: Craig Murphy

Craig Murphy — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:49:40 +0000

Since food photography is such a collaboration between a stylist or chef and the photographer maybe a shared award would be in order.

By: Mason

Mason — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:31:19 +0000

Photography? Really? The food stylist should be getting the award.