It is never okay to use ring lights in restaurants

The conversation was relaxed and lively, as it always is when the four of us are together. We sat in the midst of the bustle of a crowded brunch at Pastisdrinking our masala chai in the Dishoom popupThe restaurant moved with the grace and din of a Broadway number. We weren’t just eating, we were part of an organism of service and communion. That was the point.

And then, a light and an instinctive squint that interrupted the buzzing. The table next to us had pulled out a handheld LED light, which was currently shining directly onto our table. As they turned it to photograph their food, the light shone on other neighbors and onto the mirrored wall behind them, reflecting the beam into the dining room. Oh, how we wanted to ignore it. What happens at another table is none of my business, after all. But the light kept coming, kept roaring into our line of vision as they stood and moved around the table, capturing their eggs from every angle. It was impossible to look away. Maybe that was what they wanted.

Obviously, this isn’t the first time I’ve seen something like this happen. It’s happened at my own table sometimes (I do work in food media, after all). But two weeks later, in Kansas City, I ate dinner while an influencer sitting at an adjacent table had his phone stand and ring light on for the entire meal, illuminating the dining room. I can’t stand it. If I have any power as a food writer to influence behavior, I’m going to use it now: Turn off the lights and let us eat in peace.

It seems odd to call something “rude” in 2024, as if every complaint about a social transgression needs a higher justification. But shining an LED light as bright as a car headlight in the eyes of other diners just because you want a clean photo of the butter dish is rude. It disrupts the hospitality a restaurant has meticulously planned, and it just sucks to be in the middle of a bite or conversation and have everyone stop and turn to look. Where the hell is that light coming from?.

I realize that I am increasingly in the minority in this opinion, especially among my own colleagues in the food media, who believe that there are A way to use LED lights responsiblyBut in my experience, many lighting operators tend to underestimate how disruptive their behavior is or view it as a temporary but necessary annoyance. Content creators may argue that their jobs depend on beautiful photos and engaging videos, which simply aren’t possible to create in dimly lit restaurants without control of a light source.

Part of the responsibility for curbing this behavior undoubtedly falls on restaurants, many of which invite influencers and their digital platforms to participate in the dinner for promotional purposes. Restaurants, drive-ins and clubs If they were filming in your place, you’d probably let your customers know. I don’t know what restaurants should do to balance the needs of the internet economy they may rely on and the rest of their clientele (influencer-only hours?), but allowing someone to livestream an entire meal with their own lighting equipment seems a bit excessive.

What makes it particularly unpleasant is the feeling that you are now involved in someone else’s work. By making a reservation, you agree to be part of the restaurant’s business, pay what is necessary, and act in a way that does not disturb those around you. In return, you receive a meal and also all the hospitality that goes with it. You do not agree to suddenly become a studio spectator.

By all means, take photos of your meals. Most of us live our lives at least partially online now, and it’s a joy to document the moment, to create a memory of a meal and a day with beloved company. And flash can be fun for taking ugly, artsy photos, as long as you don’t take too many. But everyone is there to experience the whole, not to be forced to watch as you selfishly handle a literal spotlight. So, once again, I beg of you: leave it alone and let us eat in peace.