Grilled Meat with Fried Yucca by Rodrigo Aliaga

This captivating photograph captures the vibrant textures and rich colors of grilled meat paired with crispy fried yucca. Taken as a culmination of the Mastering the Art of Food Photography course, the image highlights the photographer's ability to transform a simple culinary dish into a visual masterpiece. By focusing on the interplay of raw and cooked ingredients, the composition draws the viewer into the sensory experience of the meal. The deliberate use of lighting and depth of field elevates the subject, showcasing the technical precision and artistic vision required to capture the true essence of gourmet food photography.

Grilled Meat with Fried Yucca by Rodrigo Aliaga
Canon EOS 5D Mark II with EF 28-135mm
Exposure 1/125sec @ f/6.3 | ISO 200 | Focal Length 50mm
Copyright Β© Rodrigo Aliaga
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Rodrigo Aliaga

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in La Paz, Bolivia, Rodrigo Tato Aliaga is a dedicated director of photography with a deep background in film production and television advertising. Transitioning his expertise from the cinematic world to digital food photography, he masterfully blends technical precision with creative flair. His work is defined by a commitment to capturing the sensory beauty of culinary subjects, reflecting his ongoing pursuit of excellence in both composition and visual storytelling.

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7.3/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
39/500
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Award Reach | Reviews
3,658 views | 7 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date June 15, 2023
67.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 13.0
Composition 18.0
Style 12.0
Skill 12.0
Photograph Location
La Paz, Bolivia

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Food Photography
Rodrigo Aliaga Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (6.9/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
1.5/5 points
306/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
3,658/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
0.4/5 points
39/500 Submission
Jury Score: 67.0/80
Resonance Score: 6.9/20
Total Award Score: 73.9/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 7

Henrik Johansson Architecture, Built Space & the Conversation Between Structure and Light Expert Review
The plate acts as a site plan, a dense urban grid of protein and starch. I’m struck by how the light mimics the harsh, high-altitude sun of La Paz, carving deep shadows into the yucca’s crust like tectonic fissures. It’s a brutalist composition, really. While it lacks the human scale of a streetscape, the way the grease catches the light creates a tactile, almost structural depth. It’s honest, and frankly, it makes me hungry.
Valentina Marchetti Environmental Portraiture & the Dialogue Between Person and Place Expert Review
The rough, uneven grain of the wooden table anchors this scene, grounding the meal in the tactile reality of La Paz. That warm, directional light catches the crisp edges of the yucca, evoking the humble, honest kitchens of a VelΓ‘zquez still life. It’s not just food; it’s a portrait of a place. I’m genuinely hungry looking at it. The environment here tells the story of the heat and the hands that prepared it. It’s beautiful.
Franz Hubner Night Photography, Astrophotography & the Scale of the Cosmos Expert Review
There’s a strange comfort in the stillness of this plate. While I usually track photons that have traveled eons to reach my sensor, here, the light is immediate, bouncing off charred meat and golden yucca in La Paz. It’s a quiet, terrestrial gravity. I find myself hungry, not for the stars, but for the warmth of a meal. It’s a grounding shift; even the universe needs to eat sometimes, doesn't it? A lovely, humble pause.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
It’s a competent plate, certainly. The yucca has a decent crunch, and the meat doesn’t look entirely neglected. Yet, one wonders if Rodrigo simply sat down and ordered lunch. There’s no scent of the street here, no grit of La Paz. I’ve spent enough hours shivering on Andean ridges to know when a photographer has truly bled for a frame. This feels like a studio exercise. It’s technically sound, but it’s never been hungry.
Marcus Trent Human Truth, Documentary & The Decisive Moment Expert Review
You’ve captured the grease and the grit of a La Paz street corner perfectly. It’s not just food; it’s the smell of smoke and the heat of the pavement. I can almost feel the crunch of that yucca under my teeth. You didn’t just document a meal; you caught the soul of a lunch break. And that’s what matters. You were hungry for the moment, and it shows. There’s something honest happening here. Well done.
James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
1/125sec at f/6.3, 50mm, ISO 200. It’s a safe, clinical choice. The aperture provides enough depth to keep the yucca’s texture sharp without losing the meat’s char. I’ve seen this focal length used to hide sloppy plating, but here, it’s honest. The light doesn't lie. It’s technically sound, though I’m bored by the lack of risk. It’s competent work, but it doesn’t challenge the sensor. I’d have pushed the shutter speed for more bite.
Rafael Ortega Shutter Technique, Motion & the Cinematic Single Frame Expert Review
The steam isn't rising, yet I can smell the char. It’s a tight, locked-off shot. The yucca’s golden crust hits the light with a crispness that demands a reaction; I’m genuinely hungry just looking at it. Aliaga doesn't waste a pixel. He’s framed the meat like a lead actor, holding the focus steady on the texture. It’s a perfect sequence frozen in time. The cut would’ve been a mistake. This is the frame the editor keeps.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Dominic Aurelius

The Sustenance of Presence

Seneca once reminded his friend that we should not merely eat to satisfy the belly, but to nourish the soul, for the act of consumption is a dialogue between the earth and the individual.

Read the reflection →
By Beatriz Andrade

The Language of the Market

I often find myself wandering the narrow arteries of a city just as the sun begins to lean into the afternoon, seeking the places where the air smells of charcoal and hot oil.

Read the reflection →

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