Debbie Does Salad

This article is about how food photography and video has close parallels with pornography. The way sensual language is used, close ups, the effortlessness, and inability to replicate are present in both forms of food media and in porn. Barbara Nitke, a porn photographer analyzes these parallels and points out how popular food network shows resemble the storylines and the character archetypes of pornographic film. This article also uses evidence from biologist, Michael Gershon’s research in the “second brain” which is his word for the gut . He explains that this gut reaction, the feeling of awe, is what makes food film so successful and is what producers look for when casting food network stars like Rachel Ray and Giada De Laurentiis.

This article reminds me of a series of fruit photography I saw from the portfolio of famous photographer, Tyler Shields. Shield’s is known for his provocative images that involve sex, celebrity, beauty, and violence. He also tries to capture interesting and controversial relationships, continuing to draw in the media with his rebellious and sometimes disturbing ideas. In his photo titled “Grapefruit,” Shield’s positioning, the choice of red nails, and the juicy sliced fruit, all allude to seduction and the wow factor that draws viewers in. While this picture may seem much more suggestive than the food network, the same ideas and techniques are used to make people want to see more.

Many of Tyler Shield’s photos are said to have a “wow” factor that is shocking but also intriguing. This same wow feeling was also mentioned in the article “Debbie Does Salads,” when Dr. Robinson discusses the feelings in your gut and brain that happen while viewing “gastroporn.” Barbara Nitke also talks about the presentation and the close ups involved in man handling food comparing it to the way pornography is staged. She uses the example of Rachel Ray cutting apples when she says, “”A good whack. Then I run my knife through it.” Her glistening fingers closed around the dripping fruit. (pg23).” This is similar to the grapefruit photo because of how the fingers are positioned and the close up shot of grapefruit juice covering the manicured hands. In both food network shows and food photography, whether it’s apples or raw chicken it is not portrayed that way, in the same way the grapefruit in the photo isn’t just a grapefruit.