Chris Reinhold
April 2026 - Morning Shift at the Fortune Cookie Factory
Original
About the Image(s)
During a recent visit to San Francisco, I was wondering through Chinatown in the quiet early morning, well before the area filled with tourists. As I walked along, I caught a glimpse through an open doorway and saw two men diligently preparing fortune cookies for the day ahead. This spot is typically bustling, with crowds lining up outside to purchase the cookies. If you look closely at the image, you'll notice the cookies for sale on the left side, offering a rare view of the daily rhythm before the rush begins.
Canon R5
Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
1/60 sec @ f / 3.5, ISO 1000
6 comments posted
Chris,
Well seen. I like the story it conveys to me. They are working in a measured fashion having done this drill for many days, in a small kitchen. Looks like they have sufficient stock but I am an amateur here.
I like it
Emil Posted: 04/02/2026 23:54:55
Well seen. I like the story it conveys to me. They are working in a measured fashion having done this drill for many days, in a small kitchen. Looks like they have sufficient stock but I am an amateur here.
I like it
Emil Posted: 04/02/2026 23:54:55
Chris
I like a lot the insight the picture provides into traditional handcraft, I trust these machines are in use since decades, at least. The nice marketing on top adds a nice contrast.
Is there anything I would change? Maybe I would try to darken the lights at the top (or even crop the picture that they are out, which will however impact the writing). You might consider a horizontal rotation in LR, so that the marketing plate is aligned with the border. Personally I was a but unhappy wth the door bar, so I decided to remove the right person entirely. What do you think? Posted: 04/03/2026 13:09:00
I like a lot the insight the picture provides into traditional handcraft, I trust these machines are in use since decades, at least. The nice marketing on top adds a nice contrast.
Is there anything I would change? Maybe I would try to darken the lights at the top (or even crop the picture that they are out, which will however impact the writing). You might consider a horizontal rotation in LR, so that the marketing plate is aligned with the border. Personally I was a but unhappy wth the door bar, so I decided to remove the right person entirely. What do you think? Posted: 04/03/2026 13:09:00
Chris - I think you have documented very well the making of what is a highlight of eating in a Chinese restaurant - the fortune cookie.
I also felt that aligning the top of the sign would provde more balance.
Well done
Mike Posted: 04/03/2026 20:51:30
I also felt that aligning the top of the sign would provde more balance.
Well done
Mike Posted: 04/03/2026 20:51:30
Chris,
It's a great scene and well captured. I tend to agree with Michael about working it to get the top of the sign more aligned with the frame, or at least one of the horizontal or vertically aligned with an edge of the frame. As i'm being told by my mentor, one thing would have kicked this up a notch and made it really grate would be to see one or both of the men's faces (preferably the one in the back) or better get one of them making a gesture. I'm not comfortable with street photography so I appreciate everything about this shot. Mark Posted: 04/13/2026 19:59:35
It's a great scene and well captured. I tend to agree with Michael about working it to get the top of the sign more aligned with the frame, or at least one of the horizontal or vertically aligned with an edge of the frame. As i'm being told by my mentor, one thing would have kicked this up a notch and made it really grate would be to see one or both of the men's faces (preferably the one in the back) or better get one of them making a gesture. I'm not comfortable with street photography so I appreciate everything about this shot. Mark Posted: 04/13/2026 19:59:35
Hi Chris,
Greetings my friend,
A lovely composition with a perfect story telling in the frame. The monochrome treatment from the original is also fantastic. The monochrome treatment actually added to the scene. Well seen and thank you for sharing.
Cheers.
Kamal Posted: 04/15/2026 11:56:51
Greetings my friend,
A lovely composition with a perfect story telling in the frame. The monochrome treatment from the original is also fantastic. The monochrome treatment actually added to the scene. Well seen and thank you for sharing.
Cheers.
Kamal Posted: 04/15/2026 11:56:51
Chris, photographs like this give an interesting insight into a business. I feel the version with both men working gives a stronger story. With that in mind, I played a bit with your original. Your thoughts? Posted: 04/15/2026 12:45:18