The emphasis of this thesis was food photography to advertise a chef by creating a printed menu that was beautiful and well-organized. The study's primary objective was to photographically represent chef’s portrait and nine dishes representing modern interpretations of traditional Slovenian cuisine and to include these images in a printed brochure for professional presentation. This objective was fulfilled by devising a with-theory-and-aesthetic-coherent menu of food.
To establish a smooth transition from meal preparation to photography, the experimental work took place in a makeshift photographic studio that was an integral part of the chef's kitchen. The professional photographic equipment included a full-frame digital camera, two movable LED light panels, and some humble tools for building the scenes. Each dish was shot according to very specific visual guidelines. Kitchenware was borrowed, textile backdrops were manufactured, and organic as well as industrial materials were used within the prepared scenarios to add elements of realism and give visual depth to the scenes. Post-processing was undertaken using advanced photo-editing software, focused on detail touch-up, color correction, light correction, and compositional adjustments.
Hence, it was shown that with due planning and close cooperation with the chef, fine food photography can be done outside the confines of a professional studio. The finished printed brochure was a fitting professional, visually striking, and engaging representation of the chef's culinary persona. The findings validated the feasibility of visual storytelling for gastronomy and created avenues for further research in food design, print manufacturing, and culinary branding.
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