Robin Gill’s Paradise Garage comes to Bethnal Green

Paradise Garage, Robin Gill’s latest creation

 

POST UPDATE

Unfortunately since writing this post Paradise Garage had to close. Robin Gill was quoted as saying it was the most successful failure. But big credit to him and his team for not continuing with something that isn’t working and they have continued on with other great successes like Counter Culture and Sorella Also The Manor has now changed it’s name and direction to the wonderful Sorella.

I was pretty excited when I was asked to return to London to photograph the latest venture from the team behind The Dairy, The Manor and The Delicatessen. I’d been down, a few weeks previously, to work on updating shots, of the new menus, for The Dairy and The Manor. I also captured the first set of images for The Delicatessen whilst in London.

I was using a new piece of kit. For a while I’d been considering getting an additional camera body to the Canon 1Ds mk3 I usually shoot. I wanted better low light capability but strong image files too. I’m not much of one for ISO lotsa, but sometimes that’s just what I have to do. I hired a Canon 6D from Calumet to give it a test run on the shoot. You know, I was pleasantly surprised with it, especially as it’s the entry level full frame body. The other obvious choice was the Canon 5D mk3 at about £1k more expensive. With that price difference it was certainly worth giving the 6D a kick at the can.

You exit Bethnal Green tube station and within a few yards you’re stepping into Paradise Row. Walking past period terrace houses along cobbled streets, reminds you how much history has played out along this road. Towards the north end, the terrace houses end and the restaurant fun begins.

What were once garages and workshops nestled into the railway arches, there are now several restaurants giving this, tucked away street, a buzz of enthusiasm and expectation.

 

The evolution of Robin Gills original idea is evident when you first see the big, glass, arched frontage of Paradise Garage. Modern industrial I guess you may call it. Whatever it is, I love it. As you take a look around you begin to see some of the DNA of the first two restaurants. As The Manor has evolved from The Dairy, so Paradise Garage is the next step. Definitely it’s own entity with clear roots back to it’s Clapham heritage.

The sense of the industrial past remains with an engaging modern take. Without the potent enthusiasm and drive of the team, Paradise would be just a pretty space. Everyone seems to truly love working there and it’s tangible from the atmosphere, the service and, of course, beautiful plates of food taking you on a journey of their own.

I didn’t waist any time once I arrived at Paradise. Right away I’m taking in the details, light and view points that I may bring into the shoot. After all, when you’re shooting a new restaurant it’s far more than just food photography. Capturing the restaurant features, interiors, exteriors and ambiance are all part of the story.

When I’m shooting the food for Robin, textures are a big part of the story. I look around the restaurant for different textured surfaces and see how the light is falling on them. Once again they were open for business on the days I was shooting. There’s really not much opportunity to set light stands up so I’m working with the available light, which was a mixture of tungsten and daylight.

The dishes come pretty fast from the kitchen, so you’ve got to be on it. Know where the preferred light and textures are and quickly decide where you want to shoot first. I shoot several different crops of each dish, tight, wide, with and without negative space. This gives the restaurant many more options for usage.

Paradise Peeps

In between the food and interior photos I took the opportunity to get head shots with some of the key staff members. This also gives way to having some fun with them. On Paradise Row there’s cool wall art which we took advantage of. Sometimes graffiti can look cliche, depending on the artwork. I think they worked out pretty good.

 

 

During the day we had decided that a key shot was going to be an evening photograph of the front of the restaurant. The warm lights flooding out through the large glass frontage. At this time of year in the UK it’s about 10pm before the light drops enough to get this effect. As I wasn’t able to stay past 9pm I opted to return in a couple of days. Leaving the job unfinished simply wasn’t an option for me.

Kitchen Antics

Keeping an eye on the weather and not letting too much time pass, I returned on Saturday afternoon. Not only would I be able to get the key evening shot we wanted but any external shots would have more people enjoying themselves, adding to the image. Since I arrived around 5pm Saturday, I took full advantage to get further kitchen action shots during a busy service. There’s nothing quite like a restaurant at full steam, I can see how it gets addictive for anyone experiencing it.

That’s A Wrap

External shots done and after I was treated to some delicious treats at the bar it was time to head home. A one hour tube ride and 180 mile drive, stopping off to visit my buddy Brian Worley, who had very kindly leant me his Canon 5diii to try out. A welcomed cup of coffee awaited me before hitting the highway.

 

 

It’s been quite some time since I’ve seen the sun come up twice in my day. This was one of them. Pulling up outside my house around 7am, 26 hours and a short power nap after getting up. Very happy I’d finished a great gig and I was going to have some amazing shots to give Robin and his team.

I’d like thank Robin Gill, Dan Joines and all of the team for bringing me in to photograph the most amazing restaurants and food once again. It’s always great fun and a huge pleasure.

You’ll be in for such a treat if you head down to Paradise Garage, I can promise you a culinary evening that you’ll want to repeat again and again. I know, I would say that that right? Seriously it’s aces!

Thanks for coming along with me on my foodie, photo adventures, I’ll see you back here very soon.