A Shot Under Pressure at Casa José, Barcelona

The Prawns, the Pan, and a Very Hot Grill

The brief was simple: capture Casa José’s signature prawn dish, cooked on a bed of salt. What no one mentioned was how physically challenging that would be. The kitchen was still closed, the space cramped, and I had just enough time before rushing off to another shoot later that evening.

Getting the image meant squeezing between hot surfaces, reflective metal, and very little elbow room. Stainless steel may look sleek, but under a flash, it throws light everywhere you don’t want it. Using a full-size umbrella was out of the question. I went in with a fisheye lens, which helped, though even then, my hand was pressed against the grill—getting warmer by the minute.

Tools That Save the Day

The only thing that made this shot possible was the flip-out screen on my camera. Without it, I’d have been guessing at composition, hoping something usable landed in frame. The lens was pushed right up against the back plate. Any closer and I’d have been seasoning the prawns myself.

This shot is exactly as it appeared in camera—no cropping, no second chances. Normally, I’d try to get a variety of images, but the restaurant hadn’t opened yet, and the mood wasn’t right for lingering. The dish itself looked fantastic, and seeing the image on the screen, I knew I had what they needed. It’s rare when you see that confirmation instantly, but this was one of those moments.

One Frame, One Story

In a perfect world, there’d be multiple angles, customers in the background, and a little more breathing room. But sometimes, one image tells the story well enough. That shot—salt, steam, prawns, and heat—hit exactly the tone the client was after.

Uncomfortable? Yes. Worth it? Also yes.