South Africa’s El Burro restaurant has installed a device that enables customers to take professional-style Instagrams of their meals.The MWEB #dinnercam is part of a project exploring how WiFi and the web are changing everyday life in public spaces. #dinnercam is the world's first portable photo studio for restaurant meals. Tapping in to the trend of posting jealousy-inspiring food shots on Instagram, Twitter and other social networks, the unique device creates the perfect studio to take social media food shots to the next level. MWEB has partnered with El Burro (a restaurant in Cape Town) to introduce the public to #dinnercam. It will be available on request to diners who will be able to connect via MWEB WiFi to post their photos. The #dinnercam is part of an MWEB initiative to showcase how MWEB Fon customers can enjoy Uncapped WiFi access in public spaces, changing how we use the web.
Social platforms such as Instagram have brought out the budding photographer in amateurs, and we’ve already seen Australia’s 1888 Hotel offer facilities dedicated especially for smartphone snaps. Now South Africa’s El Burro restaurant has installed a device that enables customers to take professional-style Instagrams of their meals.
Developed by wifi network MWEB, a small, portable lighting studio has been placed inside the restaurant as part of its #dinnercam campaign. Aimed at demonstrating the possibilities of ubiquitous wifi, the machine lets diners place their meal inside and then select various lighting options using the buttons on the front. Once they’ve picked the perfect ambient lighting, they can take a photo with their smartphone and upload it onto Instagram. Those who tag their image with the #dinnercam hashtag also get a free physical print of their photo.
There’s something not quite right about the #dinnercam, and we’re not talking about the hashtag in its name. The gadget, a rather clunky-looking lighting set-up, supposedly helps restaurant patrons snap better Instagram photos of their food.
Gimmick or not, the #dinnercam represents a startling trend in restaurant etiquette. We love a great food photograph as much as the next person, but when a hulking lighting machine appears atop the two-top next to you, things have gone too far. Just put down the cell phone and enjoy your meal, people.
via Springwise.com
via Yahoo Food
