Friday, July 08, 2011

Food Porn and Other Stuff.


There seems to be a thing with food porn, lately. Bobskoot appears to have been one of the original instigators. At first glance he seems to be merely a mild mannered scooter rider. It would appear there's a dark side hidden under that inscrutable grin. If we're honest, though, we can't say much. We've all been willing disciples. Some of us have even begged him for more.

One of the things I've noticed about a lot of the photos out there is a certain lack of creativity. I mean, there's a lot of variety in content but not much in approach. Real masters of the craft know that one of the keys to good boudoir food photography is seductive lighting. Show off your subject, certainly, but leave a little to the imagination, as well. In that spirit I've decided to share some of my own work. A person can't be on a motorcyle all the time, after all. Being balanced requires sometimes parking the bike and enjoying some of life's other pleasures. The setting for this post is a recent trip over the mountain range to Bend.

We begin with the light sources. You want seductive photos? Start with seductive lighting. This was located right over my head. Understated and pleasing to look at by itself.



The soft lighting is such a welcome contrast to the bright and garish world of the small bar. You can almost see the blur as sensory input comes rushing towards us. Shapes, colors, reflections, and glare threaten to overwhelm us. There's nothing sensuous about this setting. It's a very in-your-face experience best left to others.



Rest your soul by immersing yourself in the restful lighting and setting of our temporary studio. No need for defenses that shield us from the massive waves of sight and sound of the bar. Shields down, Scotty. Open yourself to the hint of delights to follow.



Notice the hint of reading glasses and a book in the lower left corner of the photo above. That sets the tone. Not everything is glaringly laid out for us in total blatant detail. No, one must open the book, to explore a bit at a time. See the glass of cold beer that is revealed to us under the soft lighting. This is obviously the reason the bike is parked safely at the hotel across the way.

There is enough information shown to clearly establish the enticing aspect of this lovely cold beverage. You see a hint of the richness of the brew as alluded to by the deep, dark, color. Yet, much is left to the imagination. How cold will it really be? What will it taste like? You see how properly done food porn entices you to want and to wonder?

Let your eyes move to the photo below. There is a hint of naughtiness without explicit detail.



Surely the presence of this exotic dish and two friends suggests a culinary threesome. Yet, there is no explicit detail. Will they, or won't they? Looking past the star will reveal the back of a blonde head. How does she fit in? Does she sense the tension building behind her? Will she politely ignore the goings on or become an observer? Will she even perhaps feel a longing to participate? Again, we are left to wonder and imagine the possibilities on our own. Rather than have the outcome dictated to us we are left to weave our own story as it suits us.



In the photo above we find the perspective has changed. Two of the players have closed the gap between them. They are so close but we don't know if they're actually touching or if the contact is simply implied. Now we're more up close and personal to the star. More is revealed to our eyes. Still, though, this view is far from showing us everything. We are now even more enticed and tempted. Our eyes tell us we yearn to experience the delight of consumption. Yet, we are still denied total knowledge. Perhaps we will even experience the frustration of unfulfilled desire.

If we are honest, though, we will agree that this is best. Always the image of "what might have been" will ultimately be more satisfying. Far better to ponder, imagine, and dream. How often has it been said that the wanting is often far better than the having? A true artist helps us to experience that.

Enough of that. Let us change subjects to a menu posted in the window of a steak house. Even observed through the glare of glass pounded by the late sunshine the prices of the steaks effectively deliver their shock. Perhaps the omission of the dollar signs before the prices was somehow meant to disguise the high price. I know little except that I won't be taking food porn pictures anytime soon.

As a parting note I wanted to share another window display.



There are many places to ride dirt bikes in Central Oregon. Apparently this is the latest offering from the Madonna line of chest protectors. I almost feel like I'm putting actual porn on the site but I somehow couldn't restrain myself. Worn on the street it would almost qualify as Hi-Viz!

Miles and smiles,

Dan

16 comments:

mq01 said...

haha, excellent!

Unknown said...

Mr IronDad:

Solo again, what ! no friends. Did you devour that huge hamburger all by yourself in ONE big BITE ? or did you take bitty portions and made it last for a long time, savouring each molecule. ?

Food photos are an ADVrider tradition

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163146

notice that our friend Mr Conchscooter has posted more food porn than MOI .

bob
Riding the Wet Coast

irondad said...

mqo1,

I'm glad you saw your humor. Alas, I fear I may have offended Mr. Bobskoot.

Take care,

Dan

irondad said...

Bobskoot,

I do often eat alone. Mostly by choice but sometimes for other reasons.

It seems I often offend people. One measures others based upon oneself by default. It is easy to forget that not all are battle hardened. Thus my playful jabs falls upon skin more tender than I suspected. Other times it is because I say what's on my mind without sugar coating.

One such victim, I fear, is Mr. Conch. He barred me from commenting on his blog for a while. It would seem I have made him not want to visit my humble blog any more.

Life is what it is and so I remain unrepentant and dining alone.

As to consuming the burger it is actually a prime rib dip. I do not savor it. Anticipation is the big draw. Once the first bite is taken anticipation is over. So yes, the food disappears quickly as you may have noticed a year ago.

Take care,

Dan

682202 said...

The culinary threesome is by far the most interesting. I'm left wondering will the Dijon and the Heinz finally meet on the bed of succulent roast beef or will they continue their separate paths one a road strewn with spuds the other paved in beef? Can they even coexist or must they always live separate but parallel lives?

I believe we all want... need to know did the Dijon and Heinz mix prior to hitting the gullet?

Trobairitz said...

Great post Irondad.

I feel as though I am peeking through a window at something I shouldn't see. If I smoked I think I'd need a cigarette.......

Road Captain said...

Interesting in a strange way.

Anonymous said...

I do approve of the spectacles, the lamp and the food. Makes one want to relax and enjoy the edibles.
Was thinking you you Dan while in the hospital. No internet, no desire to do much and yet the world rolls along quite well without us. My three for this year are turning 65 on May 30, then this cellulitis and then two weeks after entering hospital and in an isolated room for infection control, my 94 year old mother died, of the effects of dementia and a lack of nourishment on her part.
I called my brother in Texas and he was here quickly and as the three of us had discussed years ago, everything was in place, and now Mum's mortal remains are on a shelf in a small urn, waiting for her burial, later this year when I am more mobile. As the only person remaining here in Canada; called a third world socialist country by my brother, Mum is my last connection with local family. Doubt if I shall visit my US-now family, too many political hoops to jump through crossing the border. Besides travel insurance for me would be well over $1000/wk in premiums given all of my illnesses.

So keep improving your photography, take more photos of your grandmother, of your grandchild, of your wife and the rest of the family. And make sure they take pictures of you too, not in motorcycle garb however as otherwise. Often the person behind the camera doesn't always get in the picture. At age 50+ Dan, enjoy what time you've got remaining. May it be many years yet. Keep in mind too it is the little things that count in our lives, little children and small hugs between friends, and kisses for Katie.

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Sir:

My definition of "food porn" is sushi served on the six-pack abs of a topless dancer. I wouldn't mind seeing a few pictures of that.

Fondest regards,
Jack/reep
Twisted Roads

irondad said...

682202 ( Gordon )

Alas, the prime star turned out to be as fickle as the pickle beneath her. She shunned the Dijon and Heinz in favor of doing a solo pleasuring act. I was ok with that as she was enough by herself to satisfy my cravings.

The Heinz and Dijon, upon being rejected, headed for the bar. On they way they met Paprika, Cayenne, and Brown Sugar. Last I saw they had their own spicy thing cooking.

Take care,

Dan

irondad said...

Trobairitz,

It's ok if you look in the window. I sometimes sit across the street on the curb next to my bike and look at the front door of your office while I drink my coffee early in the morning.

Although I have yet to see anything that would make me want to have a cigarette. Actually, all I CAN see is the front door!

Take care,

Dan

irondad said...

Road Captain,

Oh you of such effusive praise!

Take care,

Dan

irondad said...

Bryce,

I thought a lot of you when I put up the post after this one. Enjoy "now" my friend. Let "later" take care of itself.

Take care,

Dan

irondad said...

Jack,

Any food handler worth their license knows you can't serve sushi on a hot woman. That makes for a bad combination. Either one can then give you unwelcome and unwanted toxins.

I love the picture, though!

Take care,

Dan

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Dan:

LOL...

Fondest regards,
Jack/reep
Twisted Roads

BeemerGirl said...

Naughty post for naughty pictures. I had to avert my eyes when I noticed the sandwich shots were "up the skirt" angles, though. :)

-Lori