Culinary delights with depth of field

There are productions where everything is just right: the light, the people - and the food. Our shoot with top chef Riccardo Gaspari on behalf of Liebherr was just such a project. Between mountains, streams and bubbling pots, we didn't just tell a story, we captured an atmosphere. And we did so with a lot of technology in our rucksack - and our hearts in our stomachs.

Camera rolling - on mountain paths, cow pastures and kitchen flames

Our main camera was a Red V-Raptor - light, mobile, with a strong dynamic range and color depth. Especially in the light conditions in the Dolomites (morning sun, later fog, then suddenly all light again) this was worth its weight in gold. For particularly atmospheric shots, we worked with a set of cinematic fixed focal lengths, which captured the landscape just as beautifully as Riccardo's steady hands when setting up. And because the Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a reason, we also had to take aerial shots. Our Mavic 3 Pro did a great job.

Imagine: A deserted mountain path, Riccardo in the morning light, herbs in hand - and our drone elegantly flying over treetops. A postcard feeling, but in 8K.

Sound? Of course!

With so much nature, we also wanted to keep the sound natural - so no music overkills or campfire crackling added afterwards. We worked with directional microphones and field recorders to record Riccardo's voice, the sizzling in the pan, the trudging through the snow directly and unadulterated. In the end, you sit in the editing room and realize that the real sounds often say more than any voice-over.

Light: More shadow than expected

In the SanBrite kitchen, we wanted a setting that looked like it was taken from life - so we worked with available light, only slightly supported by mobile LED surfaces (Aputure 300X) with a diffuser. In one scene, Riccardo was sitting in front of the window, the cold light fell diagonally on his face, a pot was steaming in the background - a picture as if painted. No set design, no gimmickry - just good timing and attentive work with what is there.

Editing & color grading: purism with depth

We deliberately kept the images restrained in the post process. No harsh contrasts, no Instagram look. Instead, warm tones, organic transitions and plenty of room for details. Color grading in DaVinci Resolve was a balancing act between authenticity and atmosphere - but one that paid off.

Conclusion: Culinary art meets camera

This project was not a commercial, but a cinematic declaration of love - to craftsmanship, nature and cooking with attitude.

For us as a team, it was an experience with depth: technically challenging, atmospherically special - and in the end, not to be sneezed at in culinary terms either (we tried everything, just to be on the safe side of course 😏).

Thanks to Liebherr and Riccardo Gaspari for this cinematic journey into the Dolomites. We'll be back - camera in hand, hunger in our luggage.