Taking photos at restuarants?
Aug 19, 2010 | 8:20 am
#16
Join Date: Jul 2010
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I'm somewhat ambivalent on this isssue. I greatly appreciate food bloggers and restaurant review sites to provide pictures of meals. Especially from Michelin guide restaurants and the like where I'm likely to spend $100+ on a meal.
At the same time, if I'm actually there enjoying the meal the last thing I'd want to experience are camera flashes going of left and right (this happened to me recently at Michelin * restaurant Cinc Sentits in Barcelona).
If people are going to photograph their food I think at least they would have the consideration to use a continuous light flash so as to not interfere wuth other guests experience.
At the same time, if I'm actually there enjoying the meal the last thing I'd want to experience are camera flashes going of left and right (this happened to me recently at Michelin * restaurant Cinc Sentits in Barcelona).
If people are going to photograph their food I think at least they would have the consideration to use a continuous light flash so as to not interfere wuth other guests experience.
Slightly off topic but do you think the Fat Duck is safe to eat at now?
Aug 21, 2010 | 11:28 pm
#18
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Unless you are a food critic or food blogger there is no reason to be taking photos of the food in the restaurant. Its like tourist who go to Tao in NYC and start taking photos as if they have never been in an asian restaurant.
Aug 21, 2010 | 11:41 pm
#19
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Well, since you asked 
The Pondering Gourmet (www.theponderinggourmet.com)
I have had to rebuild the site and so it's only my Fat Duck review that is on there at the moment. Will be updated weekly again from next week (I am moving house tomorrow).
The Pondering Gourmet (www.theponderinggourmet.com)
I have had to rebuild the site and so it's only my Fat Duck review that is on there at the moment. Will be updated weekly again from next week (I am moving house tomorrow).
Aug 25, 2010 | 2:35 pm
#20
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I don't see a problem with taking one or two pictures. Its an experience and a way to remember the evening. I'll take pictures at restaurants when I'm on vacation. Doesn't matter if its a chain or a 3 star Michelin restaurant - if I want to remember it, I'll take a picture. I know its intimidating to pull out a cell phone or camera at a high end place but once you convince yourself that they are just people and unless the restaurant has a policy of no pictures, everyone else can just pound sand. One picture isn't going to ruin anyone's night.
Aug 25, 2010 | 2:40 pm
#22
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I suspect the question in this thread is more about taking pictures of the food but clearly taking wedding or bar mitzvah reception style photos would be a bad idea unless you are in a private room.
Aug 26, 2010 | 1:14 am
#23
Join Date: Feb 2008
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For taking food shots, people need to learn how to take photos without flash.
I bring my small canon point-n-shoot, with image stabilization and a "gorilla" minitripod. I might have to bump up the ISO as well to get a good shot with no flash.
I bring my small canon point-n-shoot, with image stabilization and a "gorilla" minitripod. I might have to bump up the ISO as well to get a good shot with no flash.
Aug 26, 2010 | 5:21 am
#24
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I take photos on planes, in lounges, in restaurants.
I am discrete. I do not use flash. I don't linger awkwardly with the camera out. It's a small camera, I pull it out and snap the photo and put it away. And do it as naturally and to blend in to the movements and actions of a normal passenger or diner.
When I was at El Bulli it was fascinating, more than half of the tables were taking photos with flash. You could tell this was a new experience for them, I took photos but discretely as I saw flashes going off across the restaurant. Really quite amusing.
I am discrete. I do not use flash. I don't linger awkwardly with the camera out. It's a small camera, I pull it out and snap the photo and put it away. And do it as naturally and to blend in to the movements and actions of a normal passenger or diner.
When I was at El Bulli it was fascinating, more than half of the tables were taking photos with flash. You could tell this was a new experience for them, I took photos but discretely as I saw flashes going off across the restaurant. Really quite amusing.
Aug 27, 2010 | 12:50 pm
#25
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I had lunch at Taillevent last year (Michelin 2*) and was trying to discretely photograph my lunch (flash off). The Maitre D' saw me putting the camera back in my purse, and walked over to admonish me to "not forget about the dessert course". He was quite sure I'd want photos of that too.
Then he offered to take photos of myself and my lunch companion.
Then he offered to take photos of myself and my lunch companion.
Aug 27, 2010 | 3:24 pm
#27
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The golden rule for me is "Don't disturb other customers".
You're paying a lot of money for a good meal, so are the many people surrounding you. Be considerate of them, don't use a flash. As long as it doesn't impact my enjoyment of the event (and high end dining IS an event), who cares?
You're paying a lot of money for a good meal, so are the many people surrounding you. Be considerate of them, don't use a flash. As long as it doesn't impact my enjoyment of the event (and high end dining IS an event), who cares?
Sep 1, 2010 | 4:22 pm
#28
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I spent a few days in San Sebastian a couple of years ago and liberally sampled the region's several 3-star restaurants. At at least two of them, my table appeared to have been the ONLY camera-less one there.
Sep 7, 2010 | 8:53 am
#29
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I often take pictures of well-presented meals in restaurants. I don't have a food blog, nor am I a published food critic. I see no problem with it (I don't use flash, and my camera is set for silent operation). If you need to use a flash with a reasonable quality point and shoot, the problem isn't you, it's the restaurant not providing enough light to actually see your food.
I'll make an exception for the gimmick 'dark' restaurants with blind waiters. No photos there.
I'll make an exception for the gimmick 'dark' restaurants with blind waiters. No photos there.
Sep 7, 2010 | 9:00 am
#30
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I often take pictures of well-presented meals in restaurants. I don't have a food blog, nor am I a published food critic. I see no problem with it (I don't use flash, and my camera is set for silent operation). If you need to use a flash with a reasonable quality point and shoot, the problem isn't you, it's the restaurant not providing enough light to actually see your food.
I'll make an exception for the gimmick 'dark' restaurants with blind waiters. No photos there.
I'll make an exception for the gimmick 'dark' restaurants with blind waiters. No photos there.