5 ms·

A video posted by McDonalds Canada reveals how they stage the burgers for photographing them. They shift each layer backwards (bun, meat, etc) so that the ingr

by Dwedit 6mo ago

A video posted by McDonalds Canada reveals how they stage the burgers for photographing them. They shift each layer backwards (bun, meat, etc) so that the ingredients of the layer are more visible when photographed. The top bun ends up being a few inches backward compared to the bottom bun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSd0keSj2W8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSd0keSj2W8

alt227 6mo ago
However, the buns on the Japanese menu are much more obviously askew than other countries menus, which is the interesting point I imagine the OP was getting at. Compare for example with the UK images which are much more symmetrical: https://www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/menu/burgers.html https://www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/menu/burgers.html
- rererereferred 6mo ago
  I wonder if they got the instructions on how to photograph them in text, without example pictures, and followed them verbatim.
- smrtinsert 6mo ago
  Maybe the haphazard/devil may care look feels more authentically American
- alt227 6mo ago
  I have just noticed that on the UK menu, there are a few crumbs or sauce drips next to every single burger, which there are not on the wonky Japanese menu. It seems there are definitely some interedssting nuances between food photography in different countries.
lostlogin 6mo ago
I used to work in food photography (in an admin role). Sprayed on glycerine for condensation on cool things. cigarette smoke for steam. It was super nasty, but the photos looked good.
- Barbing 6mo ago
  I was told once everything in those food photos in the United States had to be edible. You could substitute sour cream, but not glue, for whipped cream. I wonder if that was true.
  - riffraff 6mo ago
    I remember reading a book in the '80s where one of the characters was a food photographer and mentioned that some kind of plastic had to be used for the cheese in hamburgers or it wouldn't be realistic. But also many post 2000 claims that it was all actually real food because of various "truth in advertising" regulations around the world. The linked Canadian McDonald's video would be one example.
  - roncesvalles 6mo ago
    Elmers glue is edible.
    - seanhunter 6mo ago
      Surely all glue is edible, you just have to commit a bit more to some glues than others. It's like that saying about mushrooms: "All mushrooms are edible. It's just that some mushrooms you only get to eat once."
      - goodcanadian 6mo ago
        I recently watched a video about death cap mushrooms (the deadliest, supposedly), and apparently about 80% of people still survive (requires prompt medical treatment), not that they would want to repeat the experiment. Apparently, the mushrooms even taste good. Anyway, edible normally means "safe to eat," not just "possible to eat." (As you are no doubt aware). IIRC, Elmer's glue is considered safe to eat though not necessarily appetising.
        guidedlight 6mo ago
butlike 6mo ago
Nice video. Thanks for sharing. I gotta say, ever since I saw that comparison video of the Burger King CEO and McDonald's CEO eating their own burgers, I can't get the question out of my head: WHY DOES NO ONE AT MCDONALD'S EVER EAT THEIR OWN PRODUCT?
- tancop 6mo ago
  everybody i know that works at mcdonalds eat there at least once in a while. if you mean the ceo thats just your average top level exec with a private chef and a health nut wife who only eats out when its a place with a month long wait list and no prices on the menu. last time he had "normal people food" was way back when he was just a middle manager. its not because he knows its dangerous or unsanitary, he could always just tell the test kitchen people to make something that looks exactly the same but with organic fresh ingredients. he probably got to the point where even the concept of a burger sounds too low class for him.
  - Sohcahtoa82 6mo ago
    I read this and chuckle because I'm the type to eat at a Michelin Star restaurant for dinner and then get Taco Bell for lunch the next day. I don't think I'll ever consider myself above most fast food. I'd take a McLaren to McDonald's.
gbraad 6mo ago
That photo burger paddy looks very different from the restaurant bought one?!

by Dwedit 6mo ago

alt227 6mo ago

However, the buns on the Japanese menu are much more obviously askew than other countries menus, which is the interesting point I imagine the OP was getting at. Compare for example with the UK images which are much more symmetrical: https://www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/menu/burgers.html https://www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/menu/burgers.html

rererereferred 6mo ago
I wonder if they got the instructions on how to photograph them in text, without example pictures, and followed them verbatim.
smrtinsert 6mo ago
Maybe the haphazard/devil may care look feels more authentically American
alt227 6mo ago
I have just noticed that on the UK menu, there are a few crumbs or sauce drips next to every single burger, which there are not on the wonky Japanese menu. It seems there are definitely some interedssting nuances between food photography in different countries.

lostlogin 6mo ago

I used to work in food photography (in an admin role). Sprayed on glycerine for condensation on cool things. cigarette smoke for steam. It was super nasty, but the photos looked good.

Barbing 6mo ago
I was told once everything in those food photos in the United States had to be edible. You could substitute sour cream, but not glue, for whipped cream. I wonder if that was true.
- riffraff 6mo ago
  I remember reading a book in the '80s where one of the characters was a food photographer and mentioned that some kind of plastic had to be used for the cheese in hamburgers or it wouldn't be realistic. But also many post 2000 claims that it was all actually real food because of various "truth in advertising" regulations around the world. The linked Canadian McDonald's video would be one example.
- roncesvalles 6mo ago
  Elmers glue is edible.
  - seanhunter 6mo ago
    Surely all glue is edible, you just have to commit a bit more to some glues than others. It's like that saying about mushrooms: "All mushrooms are edible. It's just that some mushrooms you only get to eat once."
    - goodcanadian 6mo ago
      I recently watched a video about death cap mushrooms (the deadliest, supposedly), and apparently about 80% of people still survive (requires prompt medical treatment), not that they would want to repeat the experiment. Apparently, the mushrooms even taste good. Anyway, edible normally means "safe to eat," not just "possible to eat." (As you are no doubt aware). IIRC, Elmer's glue is considered safe to eat though not necessarily appetising.
      - guidedlight 6mo ago

butlike 6mo ago

Nice video. Thanks for sharing. I gotta say, ever since I saw that comparison video of the Burger King CEO and McDonald's CEO eating their own burgers, I can't get the question out of my head: WHY DOES NO ONE AT MCDONALD'S EVER EAT THEIR OWN PRODUCT?

tancop 6mo ago
everybody i know that works at mcdonalds eat there at least once in a while. if you mean the ceo thats just your average top level exec with a private chef and a health nut wife who only eats out when its a place with a month long wait list and no prices on the menu. last time he had "normal people food" was way back when he was just a middle manager. its not because he knows its dangerous or unsanitary, he could always just tell the test kitchen people to make something that looks exactly the same but with organic fresh ingredients. he probably got to the point where even the concept of a burger sounds too low class for him.
- Sohcahtoa82 6mo ago
  I read this and chuckle because I'm the type to eat at a Michelin Star restaurant for dinner and then get Taco Bell for lunch the next day. I don't think I'll ever consider myself above most fast food. I'd take a McLaren to McDonald's.

gbraad 6mo ago

That photo burger paddy looks very different from the restaurant bought one?!