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This was my first photo restaurant review. I felt a bit embarrassed about taking all the pics. They thought we were chefs from another restaurant come to steal their ideas. Daly at Chimmeys in Park Street South Melbourne is one of those popular local joints packed most nights of the week. It offers good value food and wine and is hospitable to interlopers.
We were given the table reserved for an age journalist and friend of restaurant critic John Lethlean while giving the staff a weird out. The chef wondered what we were up to. As were the waitresses who handled it impeccably.
I don’t think I’ll ever get used to taking pics during a meal.
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
How’s Richard Berry’s hernia?
i too find it difficult to take pics in a restaurant, especially if it is a little more than a cafe or small sushi joint and or if its a special occassion, good company or very simply if wine is involved
it looks like you used your flash for the pics; i always turn mine off for food pics as it prevents bouncing and doesnt attract attention from the waitstaff when you are dining out.
you could however ask AG for some tips; she is a prolific mid bite photographer!
Good idea. Do you get away without a flash at night? I figure it’s easier to get away with if you have a group so it looks like a party.
Turns out Richard Berry *doesn’t* have a hernia… he could’ve had that $20 lap dance without risking internal injury after all!
well ive only tried taking photos in very dim lights a few times. i had minor success at billingsgate – but only reserved taking pics at dessert time as i awas having too much fun.
lol @ Saffron. I’m compulsive, yes!
Ed – definitely avoid the flash. Doesn’t do your photos any good and, as Saff points out, it only blows your cover. I use a little bendy tripod (god I’m a geek) which is brilliantly discreet. You may need to play with your manual settings too to fix the white balance and exposure levels (wow, I almost sound like I know what I’m talking about!).
Augustus, I can’t believe you use a mini tripod. People must wonder what you are up to. What camera do you use. I’m thinking of getting the new Ricoh that has great manual settings and no zoom but it’s exie. I must admit I do tart around with photoshop but need to refine my skills in changing the levels on particular objects in the pic.
Apparently, chefs take food pics all the time. Veda Wickens – the other side of Robin at Interlude (best new talent) told me he spent his whole time in the US photographing food.