Chef’s Corner Palmier
The Creative Brief
This tabletop project was shot at Chef’s Corner Café & Bakery with my dad, Chef Jozef Harrewyn, crafting Palmiers, the delicate French pastries shaped like palm leaves. It was a passion project, born out of the quiet, uncertain days of Winter 2020 when the restaurant was shuttered during the dark ages of COVID. The goal was to capture the artistry and ritual of pastry-making in an intimate, cinematic way - showcasing the textures, shapes, and hands-on craftsmanship that make each palmier special. Beyond just a culinary demonstration, the shoot became a personal collaboration, blending family, skill, and storytelling into a visual ode to food, tradition, and resilience.
Camera Specs:
Panasonic GH5 (black & white baked in camera, pun intended). Shot at 1080P to maximize high frame rate. This camera has great in camera stabilization which came in handy as I did a fair amount of handheld shots.
Photon Theory
For this black-and-white spot for Chef’s Corner, the lighting design was kept simple, controlled, and intentional. The key source was an Aputure Light Storm 300D with a Light Dome modifier, placed camera right to create strong directionality and contrast. A second Aputure 300D was bounced off the table from the same side to provide subtle fill and soften the shadows without flattening the image - it also gave a wonderful pop of light on the table.
For separation, a 4ft Quasar Science Crossfade with a grid served as the backlight, adding rim and definition while maintaining control. A Dracast Silkray 600 Bi-Color round LED was used as a dedicated eye light, giving the talent a clean sparkle and preventing the look from becoming too heavy. All overhead house lights were turned off to ensure full control over mood and shaping.
The result was a crisp, cinematic black-and-white look with defined highlights and deep shadows - emphasizing texture, contrast, and atmosphere.
Stills
Team Credits
Produced by: Sharp Cheddar Films
Director/DP/Editor: Sharp Cheddar Films
Gaffer: Michael Fisher
Starring: James Harrewyn
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