Through the Lens: TuttoToscana Documentation Perspective
Meaghan shares what it was like on the photographer’s side of the lens while documenting the TuttoToscana events.
Through out the weeklong series of TuttoToscana events in NYC, I was able to apply everything I had learned in Florence to real life situations. Documenting culinary events, although sometimes repetitive for certain types of coverage, is actually very exciting. It allows you to see from a different perspective, whether you’re taking a comprehensive shot of everything going on, or getting close to the subject and examining its details. Shooting photos throughout the TuttoToscana events forced me to search for what was exciting or dramatic in each scene. Within the fast-paced kitchens, you have to be on your toes ready for action. Sometimes that may mean waiting for something to happen or taking advantage of any movement or emotion.
Each location involved a different set up and plan of action for documentation. During the De Gustibus event, I was instructed to never stay in once place and be conscious of the participant’s view of the stage. The plus side to this was that my subject stayed in one position, so I could just move around the stage to get different angles of the demonstration. The Astor Center kitchen was easy enough to get around because it was spacious and allowed for free movement. The floor of the event was interesting to cover due to the four different tables set up with different dishes and servers. I really enjoyed documenting the interaction between our student servers and the guests.
If I had to pick a favorite event to cover, it would the dinner at the James Beard Foundation. Probably for the high energy and expectations, I found it exciting to capture moments at that event. The kitchen at JBF is famously small, considering that it is his personal kitchen in his former home, so it was a great place to get tight angled shots and close ups of the food preparation. In other kitchen locations it would be nearly impossible to get every chef in the same shot during preparation unless we were to pose them. The plating of every dish was my favorite moment to capture. Each plate looking identical and tightly arranged on the counter, while everyone in the kitchen brigade huddled around the small surface as part of an assembly line of gastronomic art.
Overall, I truly appreciated this experience as it allowed me to explore my creativity and document four exceptional events.
About the blogger: Meaghan Kacsmar is in her final year at UNC Wilmington with a major in Communication Studies. Her career goal is the field of Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communications.
Photo credit: Meaghan Kacsmar