Food Archives - Mudframes PicturesMudframes Pictures

March 21, 2014

Walking Bangkok with the Fujifilm x100s

I’ve read a lot about the Fujifilm x100s APS-C fixed focal length mirror less camera for the past year and a half, and did my fair share of research into its abilities. But it wasn’t until now that I managed to bring it out for a test run in the streets of Bangkok. It was a huge departure and change from my usual lugging of an imposing full-frame DSLR. So, it came as a pleasant surprise to discover its many great features and benefits, one of which was surely its compactness and DSLR-like image qualities.

The x100s sure did take some getting use to at first. Because of its size and pancake-like lens, grasping it up against my face looking through the viewfinder was a little awkward and didn’t feel as “substantial” as a DSLR. However, photographing general scenes was a breeze and it did not take long for me to learn how to use it (mind you, without a manual, as I inadvertently left it at home on the way to the airport).

As a tool used to express one’s eyes, there’s no escaping a few key factors when choosing a camera. What I look for in cameras are speed (lens focusing speed and responsiveness of its software), control (handling and accessibility of its functions, menu and dials), build (durability), feel (tactile sensation of grip and how it blends into your body), lens availability and overall image quality.

I have to say I thought the focusing was a tad slow but nevertheless still faster than a typical point and shoot. Otherwise, in bright light and high contrast, focusing was a breeze. I especially like the physical aperture ring where one can change the aperture by twisting the ring on the lens. Its menu system is highly accessible and intuitive and the camera has a solid feel to it that suggests it could take quite a beating. As for lens availability, it may not be relevant to this fixed lens camera, but I’m considering the X-E2 as my interchangeable lens system.

The fixed 23mm focal length (read non-zoom lens) posed quite a challenge at the outset, but I find the inability to zoom offers one the opportunity to be a better photographer. One has to read the scene and place oneself at the right spot and time to capture the shot. That makes a huge difference from simply zooming into and out from a stationery position. It’s not a camera for the lazy folks. Framing matters most here.

As a result of this glaring non-zooming benefit, I realised I have to keep moving. To achieve a frame-filling angle, often times I got to get really close to my subjects. That may be uncomfortable to some but it offers intimacy which otherwise most zoomed shots lack. This is a good camera to force you out of your comfort zone and interact with your subjects. Additionally, due to its small form factor, it’s a very good camera for street photography. Because it’s small, I often get to capture a shot up close without even my subjects knowing like this shot of a street peddler.

As a spill over habit from using a DSLR, I was shooting through the optical viewfinder (OVF) most of the time. But for better success at framing and a more discreet approach especially when taking a shot inches from the ground, I shot the above image using the digital viewfinder’s (DVF) large 2.8″ screen. I personally feel sometimes that taking a photograph using a DVF exposes one as an amateur tourists, thus very likely making you invisible to potential subjects, as opposed to photographing using a DSLR, where people tend to be more self-conscious. Little do they know the huge technological advancement of mirror less cameras nowadays that offer great DSLR-like image qualities, appearing as a typical compact point and shoot. I like this guise.

Initially, I had problems framing my scene using the OVF. I kept getting it wrong and cut off my subjects inadvertently at the wrong places. It took me awhile to figure out that as long as you kept the framing within the white box in the OVF, you’ll be fine. Even then, I realised it’s not 100% accurate. This very basic function needs some getting use to and I definitely need to get my head around this.

I did notice that the camera meters for the scene pretty accurately. When there was a wide gap of difference in exposure values between the brightest and darkest part of a scene, the camera was able to resolve both highlights and shadow well while holding detail.

One of the great features of the x100s is its macro wonder. I tried this out on some food shots and they appeared simply amazing. Of course, when it comes to taking close-up shots like this, the DVF helps instead of the OVF.

As for night scenes, the camera faired pretty well at least to me, much thanks to its f/2 lens. I took a trip down the Chao Phraya river en route to Asiatique and captured this.

It wasn’t perfect, plus, I was shooting from a moving boat on a rocky river ride. Grain was noticeable but removing them in post did help to soften the noise. Using it on a tripod would have been fantastically satisfactory, as it’s no different from an APS-C DSLR.

Walking around Asiatique grabbing wide snap shots at full wide open was great for any night scenes. The x100s has proven to be a worthy camera for vacation snaps with image quality rivalling that of a full-fledged DSLR, though I’m certain it sure does offer comparable benefits for a decent range of commercial/editorial works requiring mid-range quality output.

Besides the x100s favourable size and superb 16MP image quality from its sharp and fast f/2 lens, the camera also boasts of a built-in ND filter & leaf shutter system that enable me to sync with my flashes beyond the 1/250 speed of most DSLR. If you have to ask me, I’d say both these are the sole determinants of my purchasing this camera (all other great plus points aside) as my photography involves quite a lot of off-camera lighting.

This high speed sync automatically increases the usability and effectiveness of my small speed lights to light a scene using a wider aperture with a stopped down ambient employing either high shutter speeds and/or the built-in ND filter. I have yet to test the camera for off-camera lighting works but will be eager to try soon. If I’m not using off-camera flash, the built-in ND filter allows me to smear some motion into my scene on bright daylight as seen in these shots taken at ISO 100 @ f/16.

The above shots of the peddlers and moving bus were taken while I was sitting outside of McD’s five-foot way. Being “zoom-less” was limiting but my distance from the street where all the action were, was just right. All it took were some adjustments.

Using the x100s is an enjoyable experience. It pushes one to relish and immerse in the moment, especially in a colourful and fast-paced environment in Bangkok. One can just sit by a street corner and steal slices of moments from around oneself. More importantly, it helps to blend myself into the scene without appearing too prominent. Perhaps, it’s a camera by which one finds solace and forces oneself to go slow and adhere to a set creative speed limit.

December 29, 2012

Scott’s Pub & Restaurant, Fraser’s Hill

The year-end getaway has been an adventurous, wonderful and refreshing retreat over at Fraser’s Hill. Adventurous, as our small group of family and friends dropped by at the Chilling Waterfalls in Kuala Kubu Bharu, en route to Fraser’s Hill. Unfortunately, we took the wrong turn and did not make it to the waterfalls, but nevertheless, it was a terrific jungle trekking experience through thick undergrowth and unexplored paths.

Fraser’s Hill has always been regarded as second to Cameron and Genting in terms of attractiveness and the “happening” factor. No doubt, it may not be as entertaining and commercialized as the former highland vacation spots, but don’t let this small hill-top town fool you. The many old english pre-war buildings, coupled with its excellent chilly and misty weather make for a good, quiet and relaxing location to unwind with a book, scones and a cup of tea. Fraser’s Hill is also known as a bird watcher’s paradise.

There are quite a few restaurants in Fraser’s Hill. But situated at the town centre, the Scott’s Pub & Restaurant, once known as the “Tavern” is notably one of the most cosy ones around with pretty decent food. It has now been fitted with English country house furniture, with an ambient that resembles that of a hunter’s cabin deep in the woods. We had lunch there and I seized the opportunity to grab a couple of shots of the food (something which I do not normally do).

The restaurant’s terrace has a commanding view of apparently, the oldest Golf Course in Malaysia and the iconic Clock Tower. Offering both Western and Asian dishes, the Scott’s Pub & Restaurant also serves both local and imported beer, along with some English Ale.

Unfortunately, I had to do without off-camera flashes as my remotes weren’t with me. Pushing the 5D Mk3 ISO up to 1000, I grabbed a few portraits of family and friends.

The food wasn’t spectacular in any way but were pretty affordable and quite tasty. Service was good and I have to say, the chilly ambient and warm glow of the tungsten lighting added to the atmosphere. Plus, the intermittent breeze of cold fresh misty air was just enough to top off the exquisite dining experience. Many thanks to the year-end monsoon season.

December 16, 2012

Christmas photo shoot for Mercato product catalogue

This particular Christmas photo shoot for Mercato was in fact executed along side the food photography done for Cold Storage’s Christmas edition as detailed in the previous post. Some items have to be reused for both these publications, so it was just a simple matter of changing props and setting.

Here’s the same turkey used in the Cold Storage shot, to be reused for this Mercato shot. The difference are evident in the plates and decorative props used. The colour scheme for Mercato was mainly black, brown and shades of subdued pastel colours to convey the rustic country feel, as opposed to Cold Storage’s green, red and white. Here, I’ve used black or brown plates with matching napkins and table cloth.

Here’s the shot of the hamper, showcasing various expensive imported items that one could gather and customize for their own hamper.

I took loan about more than RM 5,000 worth of items from Great Eastern Mall’s Cold Storage outlet to make the above shot (of course not all were used). Some of the items were also used for Cold Storage’s double spread greeting page. Here’s a look at the mountain of items returned after the shoot.

Here are some shots of the non-Halal cold cut items on offer in Mercato for this Christmas.

Perhaps, the most favourite of my pictures in this entire Christmas photo shoot project for both Cold Storage and Mercato, is this Combo Lamb set below, followed by its Beef variant.

Achieving the above ambient and mood wasn’t easy. A large bare head monobloc was firing almost full power from camera left. This light was further diffused by a shoot-thru giant reflector, before passing through a glass door. The light was further carved, cut and fashioned into directional beams highlighting the various part of the scene, creating the mood of a freshly cut block of lamb by the fire place.

A more mottled effect could be achieved by placing a few half-filled glass bottles to camera left. A series of mirrors were placed closed to the set to brush some light back into the lamb. A larger polystyrene foam board was used to provide general fill to the set.

These small handful of anti-pasto was worth RM 300! They consist of various olives namely, black olives, kalamata olives, green queen olives and marinated green olives, sun dried tomatoes and marinated artichoke.

Here’s the setup for the shot, top-down and its resulting picture.

Altogether, it took me about 6 full days to complete all food photography for both Cold Storage and Mercato’s Christmas edition product catalogues. It was really high-pressured work, tiring and nerve-busting, but in the end, it was all worth the time and effort. I was so totally wasted in the end but the fatigue was easily ruled out by an overpowering sense of achievement and absolute satisfaction.

There were days when I had to shoot 12 hours straight, beginning at latest noon. That was after all the running around in the morning collecting the necessary items to be photographed from various locations. It was certainly not easy working on a large scale production like this, without a food stylist. I had to be both the photographer and food stylist. Perhaps, after all, I was also the creative director on set!

This laborious undertaking did not even take into account the time and effort spent on planning, coordinating and sourcing for props and materials from IKEA and Daiso (which happened to top my list as one of my most favourite places to obtain DIY photography equipment. Do check it out). This stage of the project itself took me a couple of days.

Could I have done it any better? Perhaps, but as my very first major food photography commercial project, I have to say, I have met my expectations, though I feel I could have done much better. Of course I could have done it smoother with a larger crew, thereby freeing me to try for more creative lighting techniques. However, time did not permit that and we were working in a very tight timeline.

Looking back, I realised there were many areas I could improved on. I have to be much more meticulous and conscientious to detail and at times, know that being simple is sometimes the answer to a wits’ end. The challenge in any food photography is directing the viewer’s gaze into the main subject of focus while maintaining a complex interplay of shapes, colour and texture. The prize? Elegance! That takes practice and experience, both of which I need to work on much more.

There are much to be learnt of course, but Christmas has been unusually early and wonderful for me this year. Most evidently, it’s been an unexpectedly kind year to me. So here’s to an early blessed Christmas and a jolly Happy New Year to a better 2013!

December 12, 2012

Christmas photo shoot for Cold Storage product catalogue

After the product catalogue’s cover shot I did for Mercato’s Christmas edition, I went on to photograph the designated food items on promotion for Cold Storage. All these were done sometime back in early November. As a food lover myself, not only do I get to enjoy eating my “models” after work, I get to enjoy the process of food styling as well.

As the catalogue had to be ready and printed for circulation by end of November (to maximise the time consumers can have to consider their purchases), major festive photo shoots such as these are normally done about a month in advance. Hence, technically, I normally get to celebrate my festive moments an extra month ahead. And when it comes to Christmas, I’m more than game for the elongated holiday season!

Here’s the shot for the large bird, a turkey which we had to style and resuscitate quite a bit to perfection. That means brushing honey all over it and whacking in the oven for more browning. The turkey had been cooked and frozen days earlier, hence, it wasn’t really in a good shape to be photographed.

Here’s the cut cheese. The initial idea was to place them on a gunny sack, but the final approved version was to go simple without it.

Here’s the delicately made ginger bread man house and the lovely fruit cake.

All the shots were taken tethered at maximum sync speed on a Canon 5D Mk3, at between f/8 – f/16 (most of the time) @ ISO 100. Almost all the shots were taken and sent immediately to the client on the spot for approval.

This was a shot of the above straight out of the camera.

And then, there was the iconic ginger bread man taken here with some assorted cookies, followed by sweet minced pies and stolen bread.

There were also some halal cold cut items ranging from turkey and chicken to beef and duck meat.

The usual ice-cream and panettone followed suit, after which, without changing the setup, I hand-held shot some stand alone minced pies.

One of my favourite setup shots in this series were the combo beef and lamb set.

Finally, I ended the series for this Cold Storage Christmas photo shoot by shooting the double page spread greeting page which would serve as the welcome page to the catalogue; a little something different than the usual launching straight into showcasing the various products on offer.

It took me about 2 hours to install the setup, putting newspapers on the floor, before lining up stacks of dried grass. I’ve forgotten to take a pull-back setup shot in action, but here was how it looked when I was packing up.

November 1, 2012

Celebrating sweet tooth at Buffalo Kitchens with Amy Beh

MSD and Persatuan Diabetes Malaysia (PDM) have just launched Celebrate – The Dessert Cookbook which consists of 12 timeless dessert recipes from the Malay, Chinese, Indian and Western cultures that are suitable for diabetics. The recipes are created by celebrity Chef Amy Beh with nutritional information provided by nutritionist, Ms Madhavi Rai.

I was present to photograph the dessert cookbook launch ceremony held at F Concept Dining by Buffalo Kitchen Restaurant at Bangsar at 2pm. The dessert cookbook is part of MSD’s continuous efforts to encourage diabetics to embrace life and live it to the fullest despite their health condition. This is the crux of MSD’s Living Well with Diabetes campaign which was established in 2007. The first in the series, Celebrate – The Lifestyle Cookbook, launched last year, comprised of 12 Malaysian and international recipes based on various festivities in Malaysia.

MSD has been working with PDM for years, in its bid to educate the public about exercising and the importance of eating healthy. Many people may find food defined as healthy to be supposedly unappealing. As such, MSD and PDM have decided to publish a cookbook that could provide the public with healthy options that are not only tasty, but also nutritious and suitable for the whole family.

According to Dr. Yeoh Boon Hock, medical director of MSD, diabetics need not give up their passion for food when in actual fact, it is about managing what they eat. Therefore, MSD was pleased to be able to launch this cookbook which is the second in the Celebrate series, together with Chef Amy Beh and nutritionist, Madhavi Rai.

“As chefs, we want to see people enjoy the food we prepare. It is their contentment in savouring our masterpieces that drives our passion to cook. With that, I was determined to take on the challenge to make desserts which may generally be sweet, suitable for those who need to be mindful of their blood sugar levels,” shared Chef Amy Beh.

Nutritionist, Ms Madhavi Rai, who is also a fitness instructor, explained that many assume that sweets and desserts are the greatest enemies. “Most do not realise that our body can also extract sugar from other food like breads, rice and fruits. So, while eating fruits may be good, eating too much can also spike blood sugar levels. It is important for diabetics to not only be physically active, but also be aware and conscious about what is considered good food and what can be potentially harmful,” clarified Ms Madhavi.

According to the recent National Health Morbidity Survey conducted in 2011, the prevalence of diabetes was surprisingly higher in rural compared to urban areas and there was an indication that there was an increase in diabetic cases by 31% over a duration of 5 years.

Mr K. S. Maniam, Assistant General Secretary of PDM and DP Resource, who was also present at the event, stressed that the increase especially in rural areas could be attributed to the sudden increase of undiagnosed cases. He went on to add that due to the severity of the situation, it was imperative for Malaysians to be mindful of their diet so that they can continue to lead healthy lives.

“We are, therefore, pleased to be able to continue our partnership with MSD with the support of Chef Amy Beh and Ms Madhavi Rai to remind the public that diabetes shouldn’t be a deterrent to enjoying life. In fact, diabetes can be well-controlled if they manage their lifestyles and what they eat,” said Mr Maniam. “So there is no reason why diabetics can’t have their cake and eat it too!” he added.

Present also at the launch to lend their support to this initiative were sponsors such as BOH Plantations Sdn Bhd, Juice Works Sdn Bhd, Cempaka Ate 3 Sdn Bhd (My Roti Shop), Vital Fleetpac Sdn Bhd (mYoga), Original Bootcamp Sdn Bhd, VISTA Laser Eye Centre Sdn Bhd, Yeo Hiap Seng (Malaysia) Berhad and Zazen Health Solutions Sdn Bhd.

5,000 copies of Celebrate – The Dessert Cookbook will be made available in all PDM offices, pharmacies, clinics, as well as diabetic and medical centres across Malaysia. The full list of PDM centres is available on PDM’s official website.

Aside from the launching of the book, media and guests were also treated to a cooking session by Chef Amy Beh, a fitness demonstration by Original Bootcamp Malaysia on exercises suitable for diabetics both young and old, and a talk on food selection by Ms Madhavi Rai.

“We hope that with our second edition, we can continue to encourage not just those with diabetes, but also the public in general to live well and celebrate their lives,” said Dr Yeoh.