Food photographer Tomas Malave
Tomas Malave, doing his thing.
Local photographer Tomas Malave says that taking his amazing pictures of food comes easily.
"The food just speaks for itself," he told me.
Hmmm. I've taken food photos and I'm thinking that if the food speaks-- it's clearly choosey about who it talks to.
No, taking delicious pictures like Malave's requires talent. Tomas Malave's talent for photographing food was nurtured right here in Albany.
Where? Bombers Burrito Bar.
Plenty of artists work as bartenders and waiters to support themselves, but Tomas Malave found his way to his art career while tending bar for Bomber's Matt Baumgartner.
Tomas, always had an interest in art. He came to the U.S. from Venezuela when he was 14 and started taking pictures as a freshman in high school. He did a stint as an art major at UAlbany but gave up on it because he didn't like how the program was run.
His primary interest was -- and still is --- in painting, but a few years ago he was working as a bartender at Bombers when owner Matt Baumgartner asked him to shoot some of the joint's food for Bombers ads. That led to more photos at Bombers, which in turn led to bigger shoots at 677 Prime, the Wine Bar and other local restaurants.
That photo of the duo of ahi tuna on 677 Prime's Web site and menu ? Yup, that's Tomas' work. So's the cowboy steak, and the chocolate lollipop tree and well, a bunch of other mouth-watering photos.
Tomas very nearly gave up on taking photos forever just a few years ago, when someone broke into his car and stole at least $10,000 in camera equipment, leaving him heartbroken and without part of his livelihood. Instead he managed to save up and replace it, bit by bit.
The commercial work, he says, isn't his ideal. But it helps pay the bills along with carpentry jobs and of course, bar tending gigs. Tomas also shows his paintings, drawings and photos around the region, including a recent solo landscape show featuring black and white scenes from Cape Cod. In the meantime, you can catch him slinging drinks at Wolff's Biergarten.
Here's a sample of his non food related work:
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Comments
Very cool. From what I understand, food photography is a tricky thing - It's a lot more difficult than one might think making the food look appetizing and fresh under studio lights.
I love the last photo, too. Does Tomas have a portfolio site or photostream?
... said Paul on Apr 7, 2009 at 1:07 PM | link
@Paul: as an amateur photographer and a guy with a serious sweet tooth problem, I concur, food photog is really tricky (to me). There are numerous blogs and web sites dedicated to this art. From what I read, pros can have a whole army of assistants and stylists helping them shoot a product; some dedicated to the background behind the food, some placing tiny hand-made mirrors that will bounce small amounts of light on specific sides of a cake. etc etc. Lighting seems to be even more critical than "regular" photography...
I try to practice now and then, and end up throwing a lot of shots (except this cake and my tuna quiche). My foodie/photo buddy Kim (yeah, that one again) has a better eye.
A few links:
- The Ten Tastiest Food Photography Tips
- Still Life With...
- How to photograph food - Food photography
... said -S on Apr 7, 2009 at 1:43 PM | link
His show at the CDFI was definitely tops. All those colors and huge murals - awesome!
... said Albany Jane on Apr 7, 2009 at 1:52 PM | link
@Paul - he's working to get a full online portfolio set up.
... said jess on Apr 7, 2009 at 2:03 PM | link
@AlbanyJane I loved his CDFI show. I was talking with a certain someone the other day about the CDFI. It was pretty interesting. Why I don't pick up the phone and call you about it, I don't know. Seems better than using AOA. But the strep!
... said Ellie on Apr 7, 2009 at 2:15 PM | link
@S: aw, look, this was taken on the same day as your cake photo. i love when we converge on Crisan as the food paparazzo. I think they're getting more used to us now, though. :-P
... said Kim D. on Apr 7, 2009 at 6:35 PM | link
Uh - photo credit? PHOTO CREDIT? WHO TOOK THAT AWESOME PHOTO AT THE TOP OF THIS ARTICLE?
... said Keegs on Apr 7, 2009 at 8:37 PM | link
@Keegs - sorry Mike! I forgot to put your credit down. Everyone, my dear friend Mike Keegan took that awesome photo at the top. For the record, he's the absolute best and I miss him now that he lives in San Fran.
... said jess on Apr 7, 2009 at 9:47 PM | link
I can't tell you how many cold dinners I've eaten in order to "take a quick shot" of a dish. Start adding a tripod and or off camera lighting and the kitchen starts to look like a studio really quick!
You know things are getting out of hand when you consider hanging a roll of paper from your pot rack for quick and clean backgrounds! Beats having bananas behind your lamb shanks! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/esposj/3416747952/)
The composition of the photos on the Angelo's website are great. I like the place setting for one a lot.
... said Joe Esposito on Apr 8, 2009 at 1:42 PM | link