Summer Blockbuster Snack Time....

Unwind With Popcorn

Popcorn is a universal snack choice. Its aroma is unique and unmistakable, in theaters, shops, and at home. It signals a time to relax and enjoy. Certain food is known to help slow you down and relieve stress, and popcorn is one of them.

Specialty popcorn is one of the great products that originate from right here in Chicago. In fact, it's been the official state snack in Illinois since 2003.

A bit of background: Although Native Americans are often credited with first popping corn, there is actually evidence of it in the Far East long before Columbus came in 1492, and archeological speculation that corn was popped in Mexico thousands of years ago.

Then we have the eternal question, why does popcorn pop? The short answer is that pressure builds up inside the kernel, creating an explosion of sorts. Today, specific strains of corn are grown for popping purposes. And we're glad to hear it.

We were privileged to be able to shoot for Garrett Popcorn Shops® and showcase their extraordinary popcorn, flavors and natural ingredients.

Learn more about Garrett Popcorn Shops, a Chicago tradition since 1949.

Pulled Corned Beef on Seared Rye

Irish pub-style

When you go to an Irish pub, whether it’s on St. Patrick’s Day or not, you always hope that you’ll hear an old-timer with an Irish brogue telling a sensational story about buried treasure, leprechauns, luck and some mischief. Then you order your Guinness or Harp and sit back, you can just close your eyes for a minute and let him take you along wherever the story goes.

Suddenly, the aroma of delectable corned beef fills the room and you’re back to reality in the pub, ordering a flavorful sandwich that's stacked high with beef, cheese and just a hint of coarse mustard. This is truly Irish pub heaven.

We wanted to make the shot look like a pub, so we didn’t need a lot of light. We had a large soft source from the right as our main light and a point source from the right as well, to give the image just a touch of sunlight, like from a window. Then, we had another point light source from the back left, as if there was another window on the other side of the pub. We also used a soft light source from above to fill in some contrast.

Make your own -- Pulled Corned Beef & Seared Rye

Chips with Parmesan Bits....

 Absolutely nothing satisfies a potato craving like a crispy chip. Oven fried or baked, they’re now essentially guilt free. Toss in some Parmesan cheese and coarse salt and these simple chips are ready to enhance a prime steak or chop. 

To light this shot, we started with a large soft light source from the rear left.  This gave us a general light and a little bit of direction.  We then came in from the rear right with a point source.  This light was low, as we wanted it to skim across the surface of the chips and show all the texture of the chips.  After those 2 lights, the shot was too contrasty for our liking, so we used another very large soft light source from directly above to fill in some of the shadows.

The shot was simple too, nothing complicated. Just a few browned and golden-edged slices with highlights in the foreground and enough charred cheese bits to inspire your taste buds.

Easy recipe ~