Behind the Cooking Scene

I wish I’d documented some of the funny moments of a combo cook / food photographer in the kitchen already. As we are working on our second cookbook now, these moments become normal routine, especially since my close friends all have the same stories. As I write, I'm thinking its not unlike how moms of toddlers go through their days thinking I'll never forget the funny thing that happened yesterday . . . and yet . . . one day follows another and one does forget what was said or what made you blink twice.

 

It could just be that those who read through a recipe on the blog or the book just imagine an invisible elf photographer hanging around, or maybe a camera installed in the ceiling. I can't tell you how many times I’ve thought about those options. But the reality is that there is no professional keeping an eye on what happens as we mix and roll and stir and taste. The overall concept of what is important to document in a photo is still up to the cook, making the job just a bit more challenging.

 

I caught myself and laughed out loud into the phone recently as I had the phone tucked in between my chin and shoulder . . . my left hand pinching buns . . .  my right hand holding the camera and my eye peering into the viewer. I always hope that if I happen to be on the phone, the person on the line does not hear the clicking, even though it is right by my face.

 

Then there are the times when my hubby comes in for dinner and notices nice napkins or something different, only to ask if its photo time first. He has become quite perceptive to these things. One day his comment was that he'd just go and mow the lawn in the meantime! I’m glad that usually it’s only him I have to worry about. I can’t imagine if I had a family waiting for me to finish or if I had to think about teen-agers finishing off a cake before I was done with it.

 

The whole drama around the photos is intensified when I think about photos going into a cookbook. No kidding, I can get up and look at the kind of day it is to determine if it’s a photo worthy day. Is the lighting good today or is it too dark? Do I mix up a recipe and hope the sun will come out to brighten the kitchen? Yes, the ironic thing about the whole cooking episode is not how the food turned out, but how the photos portray the food. The meal may have turned out quite tasty, but if the “roll” of photos does not pass my critiquing eye, we will most likely have to make another meal just like it.

 

So far I’ve not heard too many complaints from my waiting / observing audience, but my own thoughts of indecisiveness warring within me are the ones I struggle with. . . always trying once more for that perfect elusive shot that remains in my mind’s eye only. I’m learning as I go. The second or third photo session does not always turn out better and I resort to the first try, but in the meantime we are eating quite well. I can say I’ve worked hard for every inch clinging to my "cookbook" tummy.