Food Paparazzi

I love photography. I love taking photographs. I adore going to museums to see great photographs. Since I was young I've been taking pictures of just about anything in front of me. Sometimes with success. Most times not. Well now, since starting this blog, I've been taking pictures of nearly everything I eat, and I've also noticed that the tables next to me are doing the same thing. The LA Times has referred to us as the "Food Paparazzi". And it is a growing phenomenon. 

The waiter delivers the plate and immediately cameras are taken out and flashes are popping. Often people get up to photograph the chefs in the kitchen as well. Not only is an open kitchen performance art, it's also become a photo shoot.

In New York, foodies have always been alive and well, but why the new fascination with photographing our food? We don't have lightboxes set up that allow these pictures to look amazing. Most of mine are taken with an iPhone. The lighting is what the lighting is. And often it isn't conducive to beautiful food photography.

I love the Payard croissants and had them often until they closed their New York location. When I was in Las Vegas I was ecstatic to find a Payard outpost and had an almond croissant almost every day. For as delicious as the croissant was (and as patient as I could be before devouring it), I never mastered the shot. Always taken on the sly, too, in the middle of a casino where cameras are not exactly welcome.

I try to take photos for this blog. Many times the meal (and the photo) are unremarkable and never get their day in the sun. For others their photos are reminders of good meals (although you take the photo before you know how good or bad it is.) Fascinated by food and photos, I will continue to make the best out of my iPhone. I am hoping practice makes perfect, because as you can see, I have a long way to go. Perhaps I will get pointers from the table next to me. The table with four diners snapping away. Flashes popping. Shutters clicking.

Please share some of your food photos. Good food is good art. Click away.