Food Styling Secrets Revealed!

I received an email titled "Fast Food: Advertising vs Reality" showing pictures of ads of various fast food items versus the actual food photographs and got some replies to the stark contrast between the actual and the advertised versions.

I replied to the thread saying what they see on ads may not be food at all due to the tricks used by the food stylist in making the food subject look marvelous before the photographer takes over to shoot the "food."

as you know, the number one tip for aspiring food photographers is to hire a food stylist, the second tip is to hire a food stylist, the third is to hire a food stylist, then prepare the lighting equipment and composition.

my personal knowledge of the shoking truth of food photography and food styling are these:

what i know is that you clean the plates with glass cleaner to remove finger prints and other stains that may show in pictures

for salads, you sprinkle greens with glycerin to create the "wet look" fresh salad

the sesame seeds of the burger bun may have been placed there one by one by the food stylist while the buns are purposely baked for the photo

one of the photographers i talked to said a certain chicken company shot took two days because they couldn't roast the perfect chicken (if only we can order the perfect chicken regularly)

another narrated how the food stylist used a blow torch to "roast" the chicken to golden perfection but the insides remain raw, stuffed with tissue paper (cooked chicken shrinks, so plump chicken on pictures are fake) parts that can't be browned are painted by hand or manipulated in photoshop

for cereals, milk was replaced with white glue diluted so that the cereals won't turn soggy.

for ice cream, colored mashed potato is substituted for the real ice cream (real ice cream will instantly melt under the hot lights of the photographer

in cakes, they use styrofoam to hold the layers with the styrofoam covered by icing

others depends on the creativity of the food stylist

in food shots, the subject should look mouth watering first before the
photographer takes over with his lighting and composition

taking pictures in restaurants is hard simply because you have no food stylist
to make your food mouth watering made worse by available lighting which is always bad (tip: i prefer to be seated near an open or glass window when I want to
take pictures of food for my blog)

food photographers might kill me for divulging these secrets!

food stylist for food = make up artists/shoot directors for fashion/glamor and an overdose of photoshop...

that's "truth" in advertising!

Pinky Webb Photos

The gorgeous Pinky Webb photos captured in Boracay last March 10, 2008 where ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda had a live telecast.

Below are some shots of the gorgeous Pinky Webb. Other stars that day include Rica Peralejo, Donita Rose, Edu Manzano, Kim Atienza (i don't consider him a star, I don't know how he managed to market himself as a knowledgable person after the death of Ernie Baron)

the exotic, sun-tanned and stunning Pinky Webb, a TV news anchor of ABS-CBN, ANC and of radio station DZMM. Daughter of former senator and tv personality Freddie Webb. She's also the sister of former PBA player Jason Webb and Hubert Webb (of Vizconde...).

another angle of the alluring Pinky Webb


Pictures taken during Umagang Kay Ganda in Boracay Island's White Beach in front of La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel in Station 2.

Nikon D80 Nikkor 18-200 VR Review/Price

I just acquired a new camera three weeks ago starting with a slightly used Nikkor 18-200 VR from Atty. Raymond Fortun at PhP25,000.00, quite a steal actually for less than a month used lens.

A few days later, since I can't stand the thought of having a lens but can't use it, went to Hidalgo, Quiapo to buy a new Nikon D80 DSLR at P34,000.00 with free 1GB SD card and camera bag. A friend suggested waiting for the replacement of the D80 or upgrade to D200 or D300 but it's actually out of my league besides being not cheap.

The first shots of the camera were taken at Shawarma Snack Center near Robinsons Place Manila where we went for a food trip after. The real field test and sample pictures were at my recent trip to Boracay currently featured at Travel Philippines Backpacking Asia blog.

Review and comments: the 18-200 VR is a great all-around lens at such range. Not intended for low light photography due to its being slow at f5.6. At around 100mm, you may have to stop down to f11 for the sharpness you're looking for.

I intend only to buy a Nikkor 50mm f1.8, an UWA lens and probably a telephoto for butterfly and bird watching trips.

Such an expensive hobby, actually! :P

Problem With Globe SMS Prepaid Users Only

Last Friday, Text messages from Globe's prepaid subscribers had a problem sending and receiving text messages. Some even reported lost loads while my sister complained of unlimitxt yet no messages can't be sent.

The problem was only fixed last night after a few days. No official press release from Globe is available. Postpaid (plan) subscribers are not affected.