Grilled Cheese Burger

After a photo shoot this week, we were fortunate enough to have extra time to work on a new portfolio shot with food stylist, Liza Brown. We were wanting a new hamburger photo for the website, and we decided the bigger the better with this tasty, shot.

For the main light, Kevin decided to use glass blocks instead of a more traditional light modifier. Unlike a light panel or softbox, the blocks distort the light, and can be used to create speckled light that can form nice highlights and shadows on the food.

In the background, we placed different bottles, as well as a glass of beer to add color. Placing a white card behind the beer helps illuminate and brighten the liquid.

Using white cards and mirrors help fill, block and control the light on the burger. Doing this allows us to fine tune where the light strikes the food, helping perfect the look of the shot.

We shot several different toppings on the burger, like this one with blue cheese dressing. Ultimately, we preferred a little cleaner look without the dressing. The addition of the drip was nice, but we thought it distracted too much from the burger, and cheese.

Photo: Kevin Ramos
Food Stylist: Liza Brown

Here you have it, the finished Grilled Cheese Bacon Burger! There were only a few minor adjustments to the levels and curves in photoshop, but the photo remained largely unaltered.