Keeping with the thoughts of sunshine and summer, here is a shot of fresh strawberries from a session I was contracted for and got to have a lot of fun in the kitchen studio. More from this session coming soon… #foodie #strawberry #sugar #dessert #bakery #studio

A study of strawberries with window light. 

Playing in the “studio”, challenging myself to work with only available light but to make “usable art”. These were taken during “magic hour” at my dinner table in front of the window. Only controlling the setting in my camera and using a piece of paper to bounce light to achieve these images. If you have time, grab any object and start playing around. 

The great and exciting thing about photography is that you are constantly learning and refining your skills. 

Just got back from an exciting photo shoot in New York City at The New School in Greenwich Village. Really great people to work with, super talented chefs making some awesome culinary creations. Really great food and pastries. Mint Oil and 74% Dark European Chocolate Cookies? Yes!! 

Of course we got to walk around the city and even took the chefs into Union Square Green Market. What a cool treat and an awesome farmers market. If you are in the are you must visit! 

Enjoy the photos…because we ate all the food. 

Vinsetta Garage gets some 35mm film love.

Once a long running, fully functional auto shop just miles outside of the motor city, Detroit, MI. After years of sitting empty a local restaurant owner decided it would be a great place for a cool restaurant right on the old drag strip of Woodward Ave. 

If you are in the Detroit area make sure not to miss this amazing and eye catching place. Full of great unique burgers (Duck burgers with cherry compote, 3AM Egg Burgers and a Greek Lamb burger), the best onion rings I’ve had (sorry Red Coat Tavern), wood fired pizzas and the best Mac n Cheese around (this is a hot topic of debate in Detroit but I know where my allegiance stands). They also feature a crazy beer and wine list with a cool bar that looks into the “kitchen” where the cooks all wear mechanics shirts with their names on patches. The kicker, and where they rise above many other places is that darn near everything on the menu is made in house right down to the pretzel buns. “If we thought we could make ketchup better than Heinz then we would..” said the Exec Chef.

Ok, on to the photos, this isn’t a food review. These are 35mm film photographs I took years ago and just stumbled across them today. Taken with my old Minolta which was my dads that he gave to me. This gives you an idea of what the garage looked like back in the day. As you can see in the gallery on their site, not much as changed. They did swap out the old gas pumps for 2 electric car charging “pumps” which I think is pretty neat! But they really worked on keeping the same look and feel right down to drawings on the walls from former mechanics and air hoses coiled up in the ceiling. Literally everywhere you look you will see some cool piece. 

If you are a car buff check it out, if you love a great burger check it out, if you just want a cool place to look around and grab a drink then this is your place. Just one of the many awesome places Detroit has popping up. The food scene is revitalizing this city and we are reaping the benefits. also check out their other amazing restaurant The Union Woodshop in Clarkston, MI. 

thanks for looking

Brian Craig 

Lytro Food Photography

On my recent photoshoot with Chef John Miller I dicided to bring my Lytro camera to shoot some “living photos” of his amazing creations. Click on the image to refocus. 

this camera excels in great day light. We were lucky enough to have a few huge windows to use during shooting. 

Enjoy playing with these photos. 

I had the great opportunity to do a photo shoot with World Culinary Olympics gold medal winner Chef John Miller C.C.C. HE recreated a few of his winning dishes which he prepared in Belgium this past October for the competition. You can easily see why he won! Awesome talent John! 

Gear talk: I used my Nikon D800, 2 SB-600 strobes (shot through white umbrellas and 1 silver reflector umbrella), charcoal seamless paper roll and a big window of natural light for the food photos. 

I wanted to shoot for something dramatic. “Iron Chef” like. Something that made John “pop” off the backdrop and add that “hero” feel.

These will be featured in a magazine in the next month or so. Hopefully I will be able to post the links or scans from that.