Warning, food stylists at work
Posted by kathryn in Myths and Junk Food
Sometimes when I see the advert for McDonald’s food, particularly that photo of the Big Mac, I find myself thinking “you know, that almost looks healthy”.
Don’t worry, this insanity only lasts a moment, but the whole burger looks fresh and home-made. The bread seems to have substance and body, there’s a noticeable volume of vegetable and the meat looks juicy.
So, why is it, when you buy the Big Mac it actually looks like this?
It’s all down to food styling. Food stylists don’t just work for Delicious and Donna Hay magazines, they also work for food manufacturers. Their job is to produce an image which will make you want to buy the product. The second Big Mac pic is not very inviting is it? If that was the advert, would you buy it?
Jeff Kay, from the West Virginia Surf Report has been doing some food styling counter-marketing of his own and the results are here. Some of the brands don’t exist in Australia, but you can still see the wide gap between the food marketing and the reality.
Neil has also been blogging on this very subject after his experiences with a shop-bought berry and apple pie.
And thanks to Weighty Matters for the original link to Jeff Kay’s report.
10 May, 2007
Comments
What is amazing is that the second “bad” Big Mac photo is actually pretty generous. Most of the Big Mac’s I’ve seen look a LOT worse than that! :)
Hmm, yes I’ve seen worse as well. My favourite is the Wendy’s Southwest Taco Meal. I’d swear it wasn’t the same dish.
Thanks for the links, that was too funny. Truth in advertising, nah, not likely.
Have just seen this …. how hilarious, and you’re right, would an ad made showing the real version tempt you? I don’t think so! I especially liked the filet of fish burger for some reason.
Agreed HH (and well done for typing with only one arm!). The fish burger looks pathetic doesn’t it.
They use photo shopping techniques on most foods that are advertised.
Besides, we all know whats really inside big macs… dont we? :)
Alex
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