Modernist Cuisine Photography Book Review

Food & Drink: Modernist Cuisine Photography

In this week's cookbook review, we are excited to bring you another book from our friends at Modernist Cuisine - Food & Drink: Modernist Cuisine Photography.

Delving into gastronomy and artistry, Food & Drink: Modernist Cuisine Photography captures the essence of author, chef, scientist, and curious spirit Nathan Myhrvold's passion for photography.

This vibrant volume celebrates the interplay between cuisine and beverages, each image narrating a unique tale. The emotions stirred by these visuals vary, influenced by the reader's familiarity with the subject matter. Comprising 216 pages of meticulously curated content, this slip-casted masterpiece draws upon Nathan's prior literary endeavors while igniting the appetite for engaging discussions

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A Second Coffee-Table Book

In this new book, Nathan uses cutting-edge photography techniques, melding custom-built cameras and robotic technology with boundless imagination, insatiable curiosity, and a daring spirit that pushes the boundaries, even to the point of unbreakable wine glasses put to the test.

The outcomes encompass blueberries transformed into monumental rocks, condiments erupting from cannons, and wine catapulted for the ideal splatter effect. From capturing an aerial perspective of the delicate patterns etched in a post-harvest wheat field to zooming in on the vibrant halo of a tomato seed, Food & Drink vividly presents Nathan's ever-evolving captivation with the realms of cuisine, visual artistry, and scientific exploration.

As stated by Nathan, "The photos in the Modernist Cuisine books and my gallery have spoken to people who see food as something that inspires passion and curiosity. Art is a reflection of ourselves and the values we want to project. Food is an important aspect of many people's lives; there have never been more people who self-identify as foodies. I've continued taking photos—thousands and thousands of them—in the time since my first photography book, The Photography of Modernist Cuisine, was published. With so many new images in our archives, it was time to release a second coffee-table book for everyone who connects with food.".

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Six Distinct Lenses

Throughout its pages, Modernist Cuisine Photography takes a comprehensive view of its subjects through six distinct lenses. Each section showcases Nathan's adeptness at experimenting with diverse photography techniques, equipment, styles, and viewpoints to cast food and beverages in a fresh perspective.

This volume presents visual content previously unseen in Nathan's earlier photographic work, and it arrives in a newly designed, space-efficient format complete with a protective slipcase.

The captivating imagery within the book is a result of photography sessions both within the confines of the Modernist Cuisine Lab and in various outdoor settings, including Lake Geneva, the picturesque Italian village of Caiazzo, California's Central Valley, vibrant New Orleans, the scenic Olympic National Park, and the captivating Palouse region spanning Washington and Oregon."

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Final Thoughts

In Food & Drink: Modernist Cuisine Photography, Nathan masterfully intertwines his passions for culinary exploration and visual artistry. Nathan transforms ordinary ingredients into extraordinary visual narratives through innovative techniques and boundless creativity.

The book's pages come alive with a symphony of colors, textures, and emotions, as each photograph tells a unique story that resonates with both seasoned epicureans and curious minds alike.

With its meticulous attention to detail, thought-provoking compositions, and Nathan's unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of both science and art, Food & Drink is a remarkable testament to the harmonious blend of gastronomy and photography. This volume is not merely a collection of images; it is an immersive journey into the very essence of flavor, culture, and the joyous interplay between the culinary and visual realms.