Good pics or good food?

Village Idiot

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

"To me, excellence means doing your best from start to finish.  If you shoot a sloppy, haphazard picture, to me, that means you took a sloppy, haphazard approach to your cook".

I disagree kimosabe but I do love it when you and others do it. I appreciate quality work when I see it and there is certainly some on here

That being said, I have ZERO interest in photography but I love to cook. It's a way to share the cook so I do it when I want to share something. The fact that I snap it quick on my iphone does not mean that I took a haphazard approach to my cook. Cooking well is important to me, taking good photos of it is not.

I see.  Then, Little Steven was right about you.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Village Idiot said:

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

"To me, excellence means doing your best from start to finish.  If you shoot a sloppy, haphazard picture, to me, that means you took a sloppy, haphazard approach to your cook".

I disagree kimosabe but I do love it when you and others do it. I appreciate quality work when I see it and there is certainly some on here

That being said, I have ZERO interest in photography but I love to cook. It's a way to share the cook so I do it when I want to share something. The fact that I snap it quick on my iphone does not mean that I took a haphazard approach to my cook. Cooking well is important to me, taking good photos of it is not.

I see.  Then, Little Steven was right about you.

No Bueno. When Little Steven is right about you, it's time to recheck your moral compass..............

YEMTrey

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

Village Idiot said:

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

"To me, excellence means doing your best from start to finish.  If you shoot a sloppy, haphazard picture, to me, that means you took a sloppy, haphazard approach to your cook".

I disagree kimosabe but I do love it when you and others do it. I appreciate quality work when I see it and there is certainly some on here

That being said, I have ZERO interest in photography but I love to cook. It's a way to share the cook so I do it when I want to share something. The fact that I snap it quick on my iphone does not mean that I took a haphazard approach to my cook. Cooking well is important to me, taking good photos of it is not.

I see.  Then, Little Steven was right about you.

No Bueno. When Little Steven is right about you, it's time to recheck your moral compass..............

Now, that's funny!
)

Griffin

Just so's ya knows....I don't have a DSLR camera. Or is it DSR? I already forgotted. Anyway, I don't have one of them there fancy cameras. Ok...close enough to 5 o'clock. Time to break out the Dack Janiels.

Village Idiot

Griffin said:

Just so's ya knows....I don't have a DSLR camera. Or is it DSR? I already forgotted. Anyway, I don't have one of them there fancy cameras. Ok...close enough to 5 o'clock. Time to break out the Dack Janiels.

And yet, you take the time to make outstanding pictures because you are proud of your cooks.  

Little Steven

I just wish I could get photobucket to work :((

McNuttly

Little Steven said:

I just wish I could get photobucket to work :((

you seem to struggle with a lot of things

Hashmaker

As the author of the post "look at my butt", I will explain. I am NOT offended at all by the comment. It was the second one I'd cooked on my egg and admittingly, i was looking for praise, encouragement, or an attaboy. I did get some positive feedback. It looked and tasted damn good. Yes, sometimes the pictures are redundant and yes, how many butts can you look at before they get boring? men...don't answer. As a new Egghead, we get excited and want everyone here to share in that even if the more experienced have seen it a thousand times.

What I've learned so far from my question is

1. If I post a picture of a common cook, give details and tell why I'm posting a picture that many have seen many times before.
2. DSLR, point and shoot or iPhone, it doesn't matter. Take a clear, focused picture.
3. Give details. Methods, recipes, something you may have done that is not the norm.
4. Appreciate the effort others have given to share their cooks.

I like to see the pictures of other peoples cooks and I will continue to post pictures and hopefully I will get better with the presentations and details but I am not a photographer and the only camera I have is my iPhone so if my pictures suck, tell me. I'm a big boy. I can take it.

Thanks for the feedback and sharing your opinions!

Little Steven

It's my advanced age sir. Try getting hold of a breathing being at photobucket.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Hashmaker said:

As the author of the post "look at my butt", I will explain. I am NOT offended at all by the comment. It was the second one I'd cooked on my egg and admittingly, i was looking for praise, encouragement, or an attaboy. I did get some positive feedback. It looked and tasted @#!*% good. Yes, sometimes the pictures are redundant and yes, how many butts can you look at before they get boring? men...don't answer. As a new Egghead, we get excited and want everyone here to share in that even if the more experienced have seen it a thousand times. What I've learned so far from my question is 1. If I post a picture of a common cook, give details and tell why I'm posting a picture that many have seen many times before. 2. DSLR, point and shoot or iPhone, it doesn't matter. Take a clear, focused picture. 3. Give details. Methods, recipes, something you may have done that is not the norm. 4. Appreciate the effort others have given to share their cooks. I like to see the pictures of other peoples cooks and I will continue to post pictures and hopefully I will get better with the presentations and details but I am not a photographer and the only camera I have is my iPhone so if my pictures suck, tell me. I'm a big boy. I can take it. Thanks for the feedback and sharing your opinions!

I agree with you. We have seen a lot but nobody is holding my face to the screen forcing me to look. I like it when people post pics and I think it really helps the newer guys understand. it also means I cann posts stuff that still interests me and I don't have to post stuff I've done a thousand times.  No matter what, all the newbs are going to want to see spatchcocked birds, pizzas, butts, briskets so when people are still fired up about posting the pics, I'm all for it.

It frees guys Like Gary and the photogs on here and the guys who cook interesting stuff (like Doc's Rabbit) to fill in with stuff that is a little different. 

DonWW

Camera skills are like egging skills.  We make the effort, do our best, and hope that those around us enjoy the results. Beauty is in the eye/taste buds of the beholder.

Skiddymarker

Good food is the most important point, if it worked, those with the skill may make it look good. 

I think plating and presentation are important. Photos of it give me ideas as to how it could look, not always how it will or must look. VI and Griff and Doc seem to have a knack for making it look nice, doesn't mean I have to copy it, just means they like to dress it up. I look forward to seeing those pictures, I learn what others are doing and if I want, see ways I could try to plate a meal with more curb appeal. 

Interesting how a butt or brisket comes off a grill and they all look pretty much the same,  like those pics too, just because the guy who took it was proud of a cook he may have tried for the first time or maybe finally got it right. It may end up being plated on a sterling silver or paper plate, that's their choice. I still thank them for sharing it. 

Some of us like those intimate little restaurants with soft light and a candle on the table, I always say the candle simply makes the $7 burger a $12 entree, doesn't mean I don't mind eating the odd $12 burger. 

Focker

Hashmaker said:

As the author of the post "look at my butt", I will explain. I am NOT offended at all by the comment. It was the second one I'd cooked on my egg and admittingly, i was looking for praise, encouragement, or an attaboy. I did get some positive feedback. It looked and tasted damn good. Yes, sometimes the pictures are redundant and yes, how many butts can you look at before they get boring? men...don't answer. As a new Egghead, we get excited and want everyone here to share in that even if the more experienced have seen it a thousand times. What I've learned so far from my question is 1. If I post a picture of a common cook, give details and tell why I'm posting a picture that many have seen many times before. 2. DSLR, point and shoot or iPhone, it doesn't matter. Take a clear, focused picture. 3. Give details. Methods, recipes, something you may have done that is not the norm. 4. Appreciate the effort others have given to share their cooks. I like to see the pictures of other peoples cooks and I will continue to post pictures and hopefully I will get better with the presentations and details but I am not a photographer and the only camera I have is my iPhone so if my pictures suck, tell me. I'm a big boy. I can take it. Thanks for the feedback and sharing your opinions!

Hashmaker,

Don't be bothered by the haters, shake em off.

Keep the passion, and posting. 

Whether its a basic cook, or one that requires trips to five grocers and a Franklin, I enjoy them equally.  Reminds me of when I first started this journey. 

Always good to stay humble.

 

nolaegghead

What haters?  Did I miss something or did someone edit something inflammatory?

Focker

Basically, don't be bullied because your pics are not Bon Appetit quality.

This photo expectation may keep some from posting.  We all gotta start somewhere, ya know.

Little Steven

I wasn't even in Aisle 13

Doc_Eggerton

I for one love the well set up photos, and appreciate those that make good cooks but modest pictures as well.  I wish I had the pretty settings that VI has, but have to make do with my more mundane plating.

I try to do my best to tell a story with the photos, but certainly like a little food porn from time to time.

Little Steven

Doc,

Back when my photobucket worked I would buy one off plates just for pics. Probably ended up with ten plates plus our regular stuff

Hashmaker

@Focker - thanks for the supportive comments but don't worry, I won't be bullied or intimidated by anyone to the point that I'm afraid to post pictures or start discussions. Like i said earlier, I'm a big boy. I can take the criticism. If I post a picture and it's someone's opinion that it stinks, I want to know. Maybe they see my set-up could be better. Maybe they have suggestions to make the whole thing better. That's why I joined this forum. To learn as much as I can about cooking with my egg. As long as the criticisms or suggestions stay respectful, I'm good with whatever you want to throw at me. I'm gonna keep practicing and keep learning. I've enjoyed being here and hope to hang out here for a long time.

Fred19Flintstone

Doc_Eggerton said:

I for one love the well set up photos, and appreciate those that make good cooks but modest pictures as well.  I wish I had the pretty settings that VI has, but have to make do with my more mundane plating.

I try to do my best to tell a story with the photos, but certainly like a little food porn from time to time.

+1 I enjoy checking out Doc's stories all the time.  His food looks wonderful and while his presentation isn't what some here would call magazine quality, it just looks straight up great!

Village Idiot

lolol.  The forum has spoken.  No more "bullying" or "intimidating" from me, although I never intended that. I only wanted to suggest an upgrade of the cooks for you all.  It was not appreciated.  I understand.

 I'm done with pictures.  I think I'm also done with trying to post imaginative cooks.  If I post again, look for a mean spatchcock chicken from me.

Fred19Flintstone

Village Idiot said:

lolol.  The forum has spoken.  No more "bullying" or "intimidating" from me, although I never intended that. I only wanted to suggest an upgrade of the cooks for you all.  It was not appreciated.  I understand.

 I'm done with pictures.  I think I'm also done with trying to post imaginative cooks.  If I post again, look for a mean spatchcock chicken from me.

Just because we eat off paper plates (Wilma calls 'em the "fine china") doesn't mean we don't appreciate your work.  Whoever said you were bullying or intimadating is in fact bullying and intimidating and will be reported immediately!

Hashmaker

+1 with Mr. Flintstone.

r270ba

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

That being said, I have ZERO interest in photography but I love to cook. It's a way to share the cook so I do it when I want to share something. The fact that I snap it quick on my iphone does not mean that I took a haphazard approach to my cook. Cooking well is important to me, taking good photos of it is not.

Whole heartedly agree!  I am passionate about cooking (not just on the Egg)...not so much about photography.  I take the pictures so that they help 'tell the story visually' of the cook.

XLBalco

it's a tie for me  between grif and doc on their threads.  both have great pics and tutorials typically.

 

centex is a different story - he doesnt need pics

Botch

The only time I worry about presentation is if I'm entertaining a date.  And that's the one time I won't pull out a camera, lest she think I'm a geek.

And then I wouldn't get any dessert.  

The Cen-Tex Smoker

XLBalco said:

it's a tie for me  between grif and doc on their threads.  both have great pics and tutorials typically.

 

centex is a different story - he doesnt need pics

I prefer to paint a mental picture.......god help us all if you look too deep

nolaegghead

Botch said:

The only time I worry about presentation is if I'm entertaining a date.  And that's the one time I won't pull out a camera, lest she think I'm a geek.

And then I wouldn't get any dessert.  

She'd really freak if you pulled the camera out for "dessert".  That is, unless, she's down with that.

jfm0830

Interesting thread! First off I want to thank Village Idiot for his kind words earlier in this thread. I got into food photography sort of through the back door. But a couple years ago I also found out a second reason very compelling reason for having good presentation in the food that you make. More on that in a minute.
Back in 2003 when I got my first "serious" gas grill several other things came together too. Both my wife's parents and my parents were getting too old to make weekend family meals and my wife wanted us to take over that duty. So we tried to have my parents and her parents over on Saturdays and Sundays for a good meal. This was good in that it meant I had a couple excuses to grill every weekend and do it year-round. Oh and did I mention the house paid for me to indulge in my new hobby. The bad news was I was going to neglect photography which was one of my other hobbies. I used to like to go out and shoot landscapes, but I found my time was being taken up by my new cooking role. I got my first digital camera around that time too. It was not a DSLR, it was a Canon G-3. I soon realized one way to keep my hand in with my photography hobby was to start taking pictures of my meals. Documenting the meals also had other benefits. The date timestamps on the photos can tell you how long a particular cook took. Also you can see the appearance of the food and how it turned out. The last thing that happened is I started playing around with a website that combined my new interest in food photography and my cooking. So for me I like trying to take nice photos so that I have some nice looking content put up on my website.
As for the comment about needing a DSLR. I'd say that's not quite the case. I've been getting good results with cameras from Canon's G series. They are high-end point-and-shoot cameras that have a flash hot shoe. This allows you to use a detachable flash. The biggest benefit here is the detachable flash has a pivoting head so you can bounce the lighting off the ceiling. I have found that using bounce flash gives you a more diffuse, even lighting and eliminates a lot of glare from things like utensils and shiny plates. The camera also has a pivoting screen like some of the video camcorders. This allows you to point the camera down at food on the counter or on the table without you having to stand on a ladder yourself to see what you're doing. But these things are hobbies. They're supposed to be fun. So if you enjoy taking pictures with your iPhone, have a ball and go to town! Fun is what it's all about.
Above and beyond any use of pictures for posting on forums like this, I found having a good presentation actually matters to people in terms of how the food tastes to them. Several years ago I saw a show on the Food Network, I believe it was called the Food Detectives. They devoted an entire show to how food presentation affects people's perceptions of the food itself. They took a large space and configured it as two different restaurants on two different occasions. The first restaurant was rather "rustic" with cheap tables and chairs, not so good lighting, menus printed on 8 1/2 x 11 paper etc. Basically clean but low-end all the way. For the second restaurant they went high-end: nice lighting, candles, cloth table cloths, fancy menus. They even described the food differently using snooty high-end sounding terms.The actual kitchen was the same for both restaurants. They then invited people to have free meals at these restaurants under the premise that It was a soft opening. They said they wanted people to rate the food and give them feedback before they opened to the public. Now the thing was it was the same chef, cooking the same food, in the same kitchen, for both groups of people. When they got the results of the surveys and video interviews in, it was rather amazing. The food at the low-end restaurant was trashed across the board. The same food got much lower ratings on a scale of 1 to 100 and the comments were scathing. Many of them said they would not be back. The same food at the high-end restaurant with the better ambience got extremely high ratings, with many people saying it was the best version of that dish they've ever had. If I didn't see it with my own eyes I wouldn't have believed it.
So now, even if I don't plan to take pictures of a particular cook, I do still try and present it to my guest nicely. I now know the little extra effort to make things look nice will actually go a long way towards making the meal taste better. Obviously this probably wouldn't work for real bad food, but if you've done a decent job on what you're cooking, a nice presentation will help put it over-the-top. Photographs are optional, but if you've got a nice presentation why not take advantage of it and take some pictures?
Jim

Mickey

So boys and girls, what do we get out of this? Keep posting those cooks & pictures, yes even those of the butts (Travis don't even post what you are thinking about posting).

I for one want to see all of them and I like your pictures.