Photographing Restaurants

weephillie

weephillie

Messages
75
Name
Phil Monk
Edit My Images
Yes
Looking for a few tips please!

I'm doing a course and I have to photograph exterior and interior (with diners) shots of a restaurant. I want to cause as little disruption as possible. I plan to use my tripod and no flash. I'm very new, this is only my second assignment.

Any suggestions?
 
That's quite an interesting challenge. Is it a particular restaurant or are you free to choose? Any idea about how many pictures you need for this assignment?

In terms of tips, there was a recent thread where BalSanghera had taken some shots of a restaurant and there's also been plenty of discussion about photographing food. Then you've got petemc's shots of the exterior of a restaurant and strobemonkey and KayJay have some examples of interior shots.

That should get you started.
 
Thanx Glitch,

I'm free to choose the restaurant and I only need 5 or 6 interior/exterior photos. I'm very new to this but I'll post some of the results when they're done.
 
Weephillie you sound like you're doing the same course I am. Infact its one of the modules I still HAVENT done and waiting til one of the last ones to do.
I wrote to several restaurants asking permission and none of them replied...:(
So....I have asked at another local one if I can take some, but its going to after christmas now, as I dont want to get all the christmas trimmings in....
Why not take them when you and family/friends go out for something to eat....cos then you're also spending money in the restaurant too :)
 
You're going to have a problem with diners in the photograph - they have a right to object - and a lot will.
 
Does your 'course' not give you tips on this? Sounds a tough challenge to be honest, especially if your not a 'pro'-tog
 
fabs said:
If you are going to be using a tripod for the interior, why not set up in an out of the way corner and use a long exposure to get the effect of staff and customers moving. Just a thought.
Click to expand...
Exactly the sort of thing I had in mind. Fantastic suggestion.
 
dellipher said:
Weephillie you sound like you're doing the same course I am. Infact its one of the modules I still HAVENT done and waiting til one of the last ones to do.
I wrote to several restaurants asking permission and none of them replied...:(
So....I have asked at another local one if I can take some, but its going to after christmas now, as I dont want to get all the christmas trimmings in....
Why not take them when you and family/friends go out for something to eat....cos then you're also spending money in the restaurant too :)
Click to expand...

Hi dellipher

It is the course you're doing ...I asked on this forum about on-line courses and you recommended it to me. I signed up and I'm well into it now. I'm photographing a local restaurant at 7.30pm tonight.

Thanx for the recommendation!
 
fabs said:
If you are going to be using a tripod for the interior, why not set up in an out of the way corner and use a long exposure to get the effect of staff and customers moving. Just a thought.
Click to expand...

Yes, great suggestion, I'll try that.
 
weephillie said:
Hi dellipher

It is the course you're doing ...I asked on this forum about on-line courses and you recommended it to me. I signed up and I'm well into it now. I'm photographing a local restaurant at 7.30pm tonight.

Thanx for the recommendation!
Click to expand...

:D See i DO have my uses....


any problems you fall across let me know if you want any help or advice!!! :thumbs:
 
A good scout of the restaurants you are thinking of would help out. Check out the available lighting.

Set the tripod up in a corner. I would go for a variety of shots, maybe the tripod at waist level as it will show diners walking about as well as those at the tables. Swap between wide and telephoto lenses, that way you can zoom in for close ups of table settings, hands moving about etc.

Who says you cant use flash, is that part of the module? If you can use it (but not at customers) why not try some 2nd curtain slow shutter shots of the staff entering/leaving the kitchen.

Basically, don't think of the restrictions as something that will stifle your creativity, the rules will give context to your shots and force you to think. Good luck, sounds like a fun project.
 
I've found night-time restaurant shots to look good, from the inside and out. Even better if there are candles involved, but you usually get the multicoloured signage and reflections off glassware etc.

I've also found that restaurant patrons don't usually mind having their photo taken especially if you offer to email them a copy.

Of course, you should ensure you have the permission of the restaurant management. It helps to grease the wheels if you're having a meal there at the same time as you're taking the shots. Otherwise, you could offer them copies to use in their marketing.

A tripod is essential in low light. A wide-angle lens can be useful for cramped interiors.
 
Sounds fun :) interested to know how you got on last night. I always find restaurants pretty atmospheric places and have often sat eating something and thought "That would make a good photo" but never normally have a camera with me :( I did in London once in a Pizza Express and managed to get a few shots just by resting the camera on the table (1, 2 & 3).
 
Well...

I'd love to post them but to be honest I'm a little embarrassed at how they turned out.

I got there and I felt very uncomfortable taking photos of people dining, especially as I asked to do it rather than them ask me. I was conscious of being in the way so I hid in a corner and got the shots done as quickly as possible and got out of there!

Anyway, it taught me a very valuable lesson... TAKE YOUR TIME!

I'm now gonna have to find a new restaurant to photograph.
Very, very embarrassed!
 
Some restaurants have fairly large windows that make it easier to see inside when it's dark outside. How about using a telephoto and shooting from the outside?
 
weephillie said:
Well...

I'd love to post them but to be honest I'm a little embarrassed at how they turned out.

I got there and I felt very uncomfortable taking photos of people dining, especially as I asked to do it rather than them ask me. I was conscious of being in the way so I hid in a corner and got the shots done as quickly as possible and got out of there!

Anyway, it taught me a very valuable lesson... TAKE YOUR TIME!

I'm now gonna have to find a new restaurant to photograph.
Very, very embarrassed!
Click to expand...

Have learned that lesson myself on a few occasions (well ok, re-learned that lesson). Might be worth working out some settings before you go in next time so you can just plonk tripod down and fire off one or two banker shots, so you know you have something then if you do feel like you need to get out of there you know you have something.

I think I would probably go in with my widest lens on, camera in Av mode, 100 Iso, 2 second timer, F11. Plonk tripod down quick look through viewfinder get as much in as possible, make sure it is level etc, and fire off a shot. I will be a slow shutter speed, but should hopefully get you an 'interesting' banker shot. Plus I guess if anyone did object to being photographed you could show them you shot explaining it is a long exposure so everyone is blurred....just thinking out loud really :p
 
weephillie said:
Well...

I'd love to post them but to be honest I'm a little embarrassed at how they turned out.

I got there and I felt very uncomfortable taking photos of people dining, especially as I asked to do it rather than them ask me. I was conscious of being in the way so I hid in a corner and got the shots done as quickly as possible and got out of there!

Anyway, it taught me a very valuable lesson... TAKE YOUR TIME!

I'm now gonna have to find a new restaurant to photograph.
Very, very embarrassed!
Click to expand...

I have only taken photos at a restaurant once and that was during the meal and after just as I was leaving. Got some nice results but I again rushed it and didnt take my time... being new to photography in general its a good idea to just get used to carrying the camera round and taking pics without being embarrased. Confidence will grow the more you get comfortable with what your doing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top