 Editor's Note: Mark Hill is Director of Photography for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. He's very worth following on Instagram @photomark16 I read an article in the New York Times Dining section last week that filled me with dismay. Helene Stapinski wrote an intriguing piece discussing restaurants that ban photography because it’s a disruption of the dining experience. But wait, am I really a bummer just because I love shooting my beautifully prepared food before digging in? But many chefs feel otherwise, so I turned to the person closest to me for his opinion, my brother, David Hill. His restaurant, The Chef’s Table in Rocklin, California (no relation to the restaurant of the same name in the New York Times article) serves wonderful food, but his place is small. So small, in fact, that any rude person could affect everyone’s dining experience. David agreed with the premise of the article, but has not banned photography. “To me, any rude behavior from flash photography, loud drunken parties, to taking phone calls at the table should end," he said. " All hurt everyone’s ability to enjoy the food that I have prepared.” In the spirit of harmony, I feel it necessary to draw up a few guidelines to help keep the peace. Most chefs will tolerate your desire to record the plate that is set in front of you. With some restraint, these tips can help you avoid the icy glares from the kitchen and perhaps a well-placed fork in your viewfinder. 1. Please, no flash! Nothing will ruin the intimate mood of a restaurant or a photograph for that matter, like a bright on-camera flash. If it can’t be done with the existing lighting, put your camera away. 2. Respect the rules. If they ask you not to take pictures, don’t. It’s their establishment after all. 3. Make it fast. One or two frames should do. No one wants to see you make a production of the photography. 4. Most importantly, don’t impact other diners’ enjoyment of their meal. Don’t ask others to wait so you can shoot their plate. Don’t stand on your chair (really?). Remember you are there to eat and enjoy the company of your tablemates, not expand your photography portfolio. Are you a restaurant picture taker or are you actively opposed? Get snapping in the comments below. Previously - Make your pictures worth a thousand yums |
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It is extremely silly to outright ban photos, on the chef's part. When I take pics of my food (which I do discreetly since I am shy and do not want to draw attention to myself) it is to post it on Foodspotting with a description and a vote. Since I share these photos with everybody on Foodspotting, Twitter, and Facebook, it can provide some amazing word of mouth for the restaurant. Unless the food is awful, which I would spread to friends anyway, with or without a picture,
I am sorry but I am a food photographer... Well I am not a PRO – lol, but I do use the flash, I need to get my food in the best light! I want all my YELP followers to see the deliciousness on my plate! ;)
As an ex-culinary professional I would be honored that a person would want to photograph the meal I prepared for them if they found it to be extraordinarily appealing to the eye. In culinary school we were taught that food should be presented so that it is appealing to the eyes as well as the palate. I do however think it is highly unnecessary to photograph every single meal you eat, at home or when dining out. Personally I think I have done this twice in my entire 33 years of life. Once for a dessert on my birthday as the presentation was out of this world, and the other was at a Vietnamese restaurant that had an amazing presentation. We were also there on a cultural outing that we would be sharing with others so pictures were kind of necessary. These examples make sense. To photograph your food every time your at a chain restaurant though – time to assess your life.
I will also note my cousin does photograph food quite often as he runs a food and micro-brew review blog. Another time that I feel that photographing food is OK as these are not chain establishments but independents who I'm sure wouldn't mind as it get's there name out there. Personally I like to see what the food looks like for real as opposed to just a description. Chains do it with commercials to get you in the place, and half the time the food is sub-par and looks far from what the commercial had shown.
I think the bigger picture is people's obsession with their smartphones and being consumed by social networking.
It's a wonderful compliment to the chef and establishment to want to take a picture to share with others, BUT I can't help but laugh at the table full of 10 women in their horrendous glittery dresses frantically snapping multiple pictures of their food when it arrives.
I can handel it if I'm out with a friend and they do it once in a while for a great drink or a beautiful plate, but I could never go out to eat with a friend who does this every time. First of all, it's annoying as heck. Second, you look tacky and desperate (Quick, facebook/instagram/foursquare/twitter LOOK AT WHAT I'M EATING!) Nobody actually cares. For all of the people that "follow" or "friend" you, how many of those people would take the time to pick up the phone to call you and ask "Hey, how was your meal? How is your vacation? etc." Probably slim to none. So ease up off your phones and focus on what's real and in front of you.
It's funny that people can snap a million pictures of a meal but have lost the ability to put that energy into a stimulating conversation or saying grace before their meal...just saying
Well said
I think there isnt a thing wrong with following those rules. Most people wouldnt be bothered with someone taking a photo of their food, I wouldnt, so long as you remain respectful of the people around you. It's simple as that.
Besides Mardi Gras, Superbowl 2013 and some of the worlds best restaurants, NewOrleans has several annual happenings that include tastey but also photogenic food:
St Joseph's Day – March 19 – beautifully decorated altars thatare literally mountains of specialty Italian foods that are not seen – or rather eated – anywhere else, at least by non-Italians. AND you get your very own plate!!!!!
Asian Pacific American Festival – food, entertainemnt and ethnic cosumes from all over Asia
Greek Festival – You not only have the tastey and photogenic Greek dinners, but also the ethnically costumed Hellenic dancers!!!!!!
Typical American boorish behaviour. In Europe we teach our children FAR better than this.
Nonsense. I've spent a lot of time in Europe and as a general rule behavior there is no better than in the U.S.
Typical European behavior, you feel the need to let everyone know how much better you are than them.
dont take pictures of food? what kind of insane rule is that? Must be the worst establishment in the world.
I am shocked that this is considered a "problem." Odds are that it is not actually a problem and they found the one chef that is still part of the nazi movement.
I never understood the desire to photograph food. I have never once, in my over 50 years of life, taken a picture of my food, or wanted to. Not in a restaurant, or even at home, where my wife is a good enough cook that she could open a restaurant if she wanted to, but it's just a hobby to her.
Plus, unless you're a really skilled photographer, you're probably not going to do the food justice, anyway – and if you are, doing it justice would likely also be disturbing to other diners (I'm a good enough photographer to know that, and I'm sure my friends who are professionals would agree).
you just answered the question for us, it's because you're 50.
younger people, who've grown up with cell phone cameras, take pictures and document everything.
I can't imagine taking picures of your food really requires a professional like you say. It's not like I'm going to get glamour shots of my sandwich. You sound like a photo snob. Do you take pictures with your pinky not touching the camera?
Honest question. If you aren't taking pictures to post to Yelp as part of a review or aren't otherwise involved in rating/reviewing a restaurant....why are you taking pictures? I could understand a decorated birthday cake at a party or something like that...but a picture of spaghetti? Why?
Because some people are so addicted to facebook they can't pass gas without letting everyone know about it. Why would I think someone was the least bit interested in my meal? i'm not interested in anyone else's meal, no matter how interesting they might think it is.
Maybe food is a passion or hobby and they want to document whether they enjoyed the dish or not. Just a thought.
Are you kidding? People are kvetching about people taking photos of their food? GET A GRIP. Who cares?!
If they don't let you take a photo before you eat it, then take one later, after your done with their food...
LOL
Other be sure to stop by tell me your problem with me taking pictures of my food on your way out. I'll straighten you out for you.
Just make sure you're not capturing anyone in the background, and if you accidentally do, either crop them out of the photo, or at least blur their faces before uploading the photo the net. As the article says, remember your manners – you should always ask the permission of every person in a photo before uploading that photo to the net.
So it is OK to ask your food to say cheese?
I enjoy taking a no flash non-disrupting picture of the places and events I likedl. If an establishment will not let me take a discrete picture, it will be the last time I ever go there.
Picture taking needs to be done with respect. I don't take pictues of other guests, and disrupting someone else is rude. Savoring the moment to enjoy again is important to me. I live in Europe and VERY often, the waiter will offer to take my picture as we enjoy the evening.
food photo's at high end restaurant's should be a nationwide celebration of everything that's enjoyed and beautiful in the world. Sharing a perfectly executed plate with your online crowd, why not? If a waiter complained my next photo would be my middle finger pointing at their face. Point, click, upload. : )
AGREE :D
People really do this?
I'm on Weight Watchers and sometimes I take pictures of my food so I can track it later. One quick shot and then I can put my phone down and dig in. Otherwise, I have to keep it out longer to enter every food so I don't forget. If the flash is off and the volume is down, I don't see what the big deal is.
What is the big deal? It is food. It will all look the same on the other end. MOST people don't take pictures of that. It isn't like this is the first meal you've had in a decade or the last you will ever have. Social media gone overboard in my opinion. Just put the phone away, shut up, and eat.
I feel the same way. Personally, I hate people doing that because some of the meals look very unappetizing.
Got in trouble once for trying to take pictures at a sushi place where they served it on top a naked girl. I guess not all the garnish was supposed to be eaten, way too much Saki was consumed and the night went downhill from there.
Nice.
I bring an 8mm camera and make snuff films with my food when I go out to eat. I invite Nicholas Cage to narrate while I do so.
OMG-ROFLMAO!! Ba-ha-ha-ha-ha. You need to take it on the road.
I understand some chefs working in expensive, high-end restaurants might have their beliefs that people's eating experience and enjoyment at their restaurants is more important than helping them to advertise their restaurants by taking and uploading pictures of their food onto social media platforms to share with friends. But as someone who always takes pictures of my food and my friends' food when I eat out at a fancy or even small restaurants with cute interior design and nice atmosphere, I believe that banning customers from taking pictures might influence is a little bit extreme. Also, I believe that this kind of behavior doesn't apply to ONLY Americans. I am Asian and i travel back and forth between Taiwan and America all the time. This kinda table manner happens EVERYWHERE. It is not about the American culture, but more about individuals' desire to share their life with their friends and families around the globe through social media and to record their lifestyle and memories.Rules can be applied and enforced but maybe not ban costumers from taking pictures.
You're rude. And your ethnic background doesn't matter, or make it OK.
I don't see my post being rude in any aspects...and I did not say its OK, I said its normal and people shouldn't make it so extreme and yell at others for taking pictures in the restaurants....If you want to ban it then ban it but don't judge people's table manner based on their ethnicity
you're a grumpy person. get over it.
Living in a tourist state like Florida, I don't give shutterbugs a second thought. Whether they're snapping shots of their snapper (that's a fish) or of Gramma at her 90th birthday dinner with 5 generations surrounding her, doesn't matter to me.
Not surprised americans have poor table manners. Tourists. Uncivilized tourists.
No need to be ethnocentric about table manners. All societies have customs and those that fail to live up to them. None are universal. In the United States, there are fewer hard and fast rules on behavior (aka traditions), which is partly due to it being so geographically large and historically made up of so many cultures. Freedom is far more rampant there, and I confess it throws conservatives for a loop. That said, I agree that a small percentage of Americans have extremely poor table manners. They are likely ignorant of local customs and should be gently corrected (after all, a compliment is hidden in the faux pas). I never saw such behavior personally, and I've been to many American restaurants of various levels of quality/sophistication.
Note that in many cultures, it is poor manners to make generalizations denigrating an entire people group.
Ethnocentric? "Americans" denotes nationality not ethnicity.
That's what America IS. People from all different cultures and ethnicities mixed together in one big pot.
But it's more a result of class, both financially and behaviorally. Often, Americans visiting other countries see other Americans acting likes asses and mutter that "they're making all of us look bad."
I think it is ok if you are the chef. You created it, so take a picture of it. Anyone can go to a restaurant and pay a master chef to cook them a dinner. Maybe advertising for the restaurant, but personally I am more impressed if a friend made it them selves.
You are a rude bigot. ALL nationalities have a certain percentage with abysmal table manners. No need to insult an entire country.
I am not a bigot. And, it isn't rude to point out the rudeness of other "diners" on an internet forum. Dining doesn't require a camera. But I suppose eating/feeding does.
Haha, pretentious much?
You can dress it up all you like, but regardless of who you are the food goes in one hole and out another (usually).
I have never heard of taking pictures of food at a restaurant unless maybe your a critic and you have asked for permission.
I do most of my own cooking and do take pictures of meals at home. I have thousands of them and they look better than most restaurant food by far. Who cares about pictures of food you bought. That's like bragging about wealth, just plain rude. Go home and create something of your own and take a picture of that.
Bragging about food? Jealous much?
I can understand snapping a shot of a food challenge, a ridiculously large item or other novelty the restaurant is known for. Otherwise I don't get it. Like the photo above, it's a bowl of pasta and looks like countless others I've been served. Does the person taking the photo really think anybody cares about their lunch? in most circumstances I would say show a little restraint, it's not a picture most are going to care about and nobody is going to hang it on their wall. Just a side note, I'm a photographer so I'm certainly not anti-photo. :)
Exactly. I'm honestly just confused by this trend.
WHY are people taking pictures of their food?!? If you're a food critic or a restauranteur, then okay. If you're Joe Schmoe and you're going to post it on Facebook. Just DON'T. Its obnoxious, and no one cares about your food!!
I care if I'm reading a review you posted on Yelp about your restaurant experience – it adds to the review.
I take pictures of my food because I want to rmb what I ordered that are good when I visit there again!
Is your memory that bad that you need a picture of every dish you've ordered in every restaurant?
What?
fatty must be on a diet
I take pictures of food all the time, both in my house, and at restaurants. I'm a blogger and yelper both about food as one of my passions, and often upload *great* pictures of their food to yelp. This only helps their business if the food is good. I also love to cook, and getting an accurate picture of a presentation is a good way to replicate the meal later. Or, I like sharing the pictures with my friends. Heck, I even take pictures of new beers that I try that are out of the ordinary, or strange snack foods I find in a random shop. I like writing about food, and taking pictures about food, it's called journalism.
Restaurant snobs should be lined up and shot, preferably not with a flash or a camera.
Welcome to the world of self-absorbed douche-bags and their social-media posts. Look at me! Look at me!!! Etiquette is dead. Long live ME ME ME!!!
Coming from the guy who's trying to be funny and gather attention from his CNN comment.
How about I take pic of the end result, where it comes out digested and post it? People who take pics of food and post them are narcissistic.
Today society, take pics of everything and post it. I don't care what you had for lunch, or what your new tv looks like.
Touche...
Then why are yiu reading an article about it, doesn't really make sense
Probably to point out how ridiculous it is (if taken to an extreme).
"It's really bugged me"–Who copy edited this?
What's wrong with it? It's grammatically correct.
It really bugged me.
Oops!
Can be short for "It has really bugged me".
"it's really bugged me" is "it has really bugged me" so it's CORRECT
it's implied "it is" or "it has," so "it's really bugged me" makes perfect sense!
"It is really bugged me" is incorrect
"It has really bugged me" is acceptable.
I don't even get this. Why in the world would it bother you if someone at the next table over is taking a photo of their food? Like, unless it is really noisy or lots of flashes, I can't even conceive why this is disruptive. Man, some people are uptight.
For the same reason talking on the phone at the dinner table is rude. It's dinner, for heaven's sake. Just eat, chat a little and enjoy the meal, so everyone else can too!
I can see your problem if the person you are sitting with (at the same table) is talking on the phone but if the person is at another table why is that rude? In and of itself what business of your is it if that person is on the phone?
it takes 2 seconds to take a picture. grow up.
Even if they said I could not take pics of my food I would still do it. I always take pics to send my sister. I paid for the food and I will take pics if I please. If other customers are nosy and want to stare then this is their problem, not mine.
I enjoy taking pictures of my food and I will continue to do so. The restaurants should be glad for the free publicity they are getting. If anyone *ever* tries to tell me I cannot take a picture of the food I am *paying* for, it will no go over well.
Momofuku, the restaurant mentioned on the NYT was one of the worst dining experiences I've had in the city. Not so much about the food but the service was terrible, the restaurant itself was extremely crowded and uncomfortable and the fact that we had to share your table with strangers cafeteria style (even though we were in a large group of eight) was enough to not make me want to ever go back. After the presumptuous bs I read in that article, I will gladly tell everyone how terrible they really are.
What do restaurants gain from humiliating a customer like that? And what do they lose from free publicity? I don't get it. If nothing else, they are making everyone else who is eating there embarrassed and uncomfortable by asking one of their customers *not* to take pictures.
SMH people of America have not a CLUE what Freedom means... it DOES NOT MEAN "I do what I want, when I want, how I want and F everyone else!" Selfish A S S People! "W E" ALL live here, not just you!!!!! Be considerate!!
Amen.
HAHA while i agree with you in most cases, particularly driving, i don't understand how taking a 2 second picture of a cool food item is SELFISH and ruins your world.
I started doing this while on a Med Cruise 2 years ago. The food was beautiful and once in a lifetime. I just couldn't chow down on it without saving the moment. However, after I got home I began noticing beautiful food all around me, at local restaurants, on day trips out of town, in the work cafeteria! I snap a quick pic with my phone before I touch the plate. It's nice to remember a lovely meal thru photos.
You don't want me to have a picture? So just what, exactly, are you trying to hide? Any establishment that bans photography (be it a restaurant or any other establishment) must have something they are not proud of or do not want others to see. If my camera is not welcome, I am not eating there. That being said, I have never had any problems taking photographs of food or restaurant interiors.
I agree with you. I have been taking photos of food in restaurants for years and it puzzles me why anyone would think it disruptive or rude to other diners.It is actually a compliment to the Chef and free publicity for the restaurant
My food, my time, my camera, my bill to pay, its a picture, not like I am smoking a cigarette and everyone around me will die of second hand smoking.
Umm, yeah I believe it's called "the world does not revolve around you, and other people are trying to eat the food THEY paid for without your flash irritating them". Common courtesy. Plus, its just asshat behavior unless you're a food critic. No one on social media cares about your food. NO ONE.
You're wrong – people on Yelp care.
Why don't they write about how annoying it is for people to take pictures of each other at the table? They always use flash and take many pictures. Recently I went to dinner with two friends and a group of eight behind us took countless flash pictures while laughing and talking very loudly. It was a lot more intrusive and rude than me taking one non flash picture of my meal.
I take no 'flash pictures' of local dishes when we travel as eating local specialties is part of the pleasure of travel. A picture reminds us of the good time and the good -oftentimes unique- food experiences. Definitely turn off the flash, especially in a high end establishment.
Nicely said! And good rules to follow, although I've never once had anyone complain about the free advertising! I love posting pictures of a beautifully prepared dish (although I would certainly never stand on a chair or cause a disruption!
I think most people (if not all) of these people who take pictures, do it only to put it on Facebook or the likes. I say copyright the food... :)
I never really thought much of it. I used to love it when a family would post a picture online of some food or beer. The restaurant should be happy people took the time to capture that moment in time and person taking the picture enjoyed what they saw enough to do so. Additionally this is free advertising for the restaurant. The flash and bother people thing, which are really all the same thing, would be the only real rules I recognize as relevant. Otherwise if the people surrounding me were that snobby about their dining experience I would probably not enjoy eating there anyway. And I have been to some nice restaurants, the reality is most people don't make it out to be as big of a deal as the author has...
Having taken pictures of delicious, delectable, gorgeously presented foods in 14 countries around the world, AND having NEVER been intrusive about it, AND having never been corrected for it (oftentimes, the chef has posed with his/her creation) I can only say, "...get over it, folks."
Wow while I was thinking about to write and typing you said the exact same thing I was thinking!
Same experience here....
If the food ends up looking like the mess shown above I'd be pissed too had I cooked it!
Food photography is a difficult skill to master. The problem today is everyone thinks they're a "professional" because they can afford a camera. I've been a photographer over 30 years and shooting food was one of my favorite things to do....besides eating it. I've often photographed meals in restaurants but knowing how is a lot different than ruining others dining experience. As for flash photography.....take the flash off because not only is it annoying but make the food look like crap.
The dish features on this article looks disgusting. Reminds me of mold growing. YUK!
I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT TOO BUT YOU BEAT ME TO IT...LOLL
Carbonara is delicious,....it may not taste the same as the big mac you are used to but it really is a great dish.
I'll take pictures of my food.I paid for it,and I'm not hurting anyone
The picture takes 2 seconds.Deal the F with it.
I think it depends on the setting. A more casual restaurant is usually fine, as long as it's done in a discreet manner like the author suggests. However, some setting are not appropriate. I recently ate at Alinea in Chicago, which is usually ranked in the top 5 restaurants in the US. Dinner w/wine for 2 set us back just over $1,000. 14 courses and 4 hours of eating. I realize not many people enjoy this type of culinary experience, but food, whether eating in a top restaurant or cooking dinner at home for friends, is one of the things I enjoy most in life. People at the table next to us took pictures, some with flash. When eating in a restaurant that famous, that expensive, and that you have to try for hours to get a reservation months in advance, it seems wasteful to spend time photographing the experience instead of actually just enjoying the experience. And it's not the kind of experience that can ever really be conveyed in photos. That being said, when I cook at home I always take pictures for my little album I keep with my favorite recipes, both old favorites as well as new recipes I've tried and liked. And since it's my kitchen I get to set my own rules :)
I totally understand your position and I agree. If I were at the Chicago restaurant you mentioned, I would think that anyone snapping pictures was a rube who didn't get out much and didn't know how to comport themselves in public.
sorry we can't all eat $1,000 meals all the time like you do. what a life you must lead!
This is ridiculous. If I'm paying $1,000 for a meal, why can't I take a picture to remember the experience? That's why people take pictures, right? How is taking a picture for two seconds ruining their experience? It's quite the opposite, they'll be able to remember it for the rest of their lives, along with the pretentious person next to them who kept giving them dirty looks.
I don't get the whole food thing. You cook something and did a great job, got i t. I don't get how you can get excited by someone else's food. How is gluttony a hobby now? It's pathetic that the highlight of someone's day isn't the fruit of their labor, or interacting with someone in a good way, or something relevant- instead it's food. No wonder our nation is becoming overweight.
The people I know who enjoy well cooked high quality food are not overweight; it's the people going to fast food and diners where the quality is low but portions are huge. I doubt you'll ever see someone snapping a picture of their big mac.
The people I know on Facebook who post pictures aren't doing it of their big mac either....and a fair number can lose some weight. Not many of them have real hobbies either..but eating. I do admire those that do strike a balance- fitness and food, though I still don't why's it's so exciting. I'd rather build something, hike somewhere, or take pictures of folks I'm having a good time with. I love to cook, and if I did a good job I'll take a picture. Can't remember a party where the food was more more memorable than the people :) Oh well. Different strokes for different folks.
If you take pictures of things that bring you pleasure, why not food? You can remember a great discovery, hike or adventure with friends with pictures – why not a great meal?
Why can't you do all of those things? They are not mutually exclusive.
Dave's not here.
Well you did buy their food right? So technically it is your property and I think a snap here and there does not hurt.
Welcome to the digital world! Time are a changing start adapting.
I take pictures so I can include them in my Yelp reviews. I haven't noticed anyone taking pictures of the food being annoying – more like the people taking tons of pictures (yes, with flash) of each other.
Food Image Fetish? Please keep it to yourself. I'm there to eat.
Are people coming over to YOUR table and taking pictures of YOUR food? If not, mind your own business and keep your petty grievances to yourself.
Do you say the same to people annoyed by the couple in the corner groping each other while others are trying to eat? Time and place. You want to exercise your food porn fetish, do it in the privacy of your own home.
I usually take food pictures in restaurants to advertise their good food. I don't use flash and take it discreetly. If the restaurants don't want free advertisement in fb so my friends will want to get there, then, so be it. It is their loss and not mine. My friends usually appreciate my pictures and ask where is this place?
How about stop caring what other people think or stop being such a pretentious jackass?
thank you, my sentiments exactly
To keep peace make a request that the waiter take a pic(if you must have one) prior to bringing to the table(while still in the kitchen). Tip the waiter extra and leave something for the chef as well (a note of thanks if tipping is not allowed.) A little gratitude goes a long way and no other customers will be the wiser nor will they be disturbed.
I want that pasta. Mission accomplished.
Thanks for addressing one of the most pressing issues of our time.
Right? I can sleep easier, LOL!
The author has suggested four rules and they are perfect. Stay within these rules and you will be fine.