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Revealed: Here’s How McDonald’s Makes Their Burgers Look So Perfect in Ads

Jun. 21, 2012 1:22pm

Have you ever noticed that burgers in McDonald’s advertisements look like God Himself prepared them, while burgers in real life look like, um, someone sat on them?

Heres How McDonalds Makes Their Burgers Look so Perfect in AdsAnd yet, we still eat them (image courtesy GrubGrade)

Brace yourselves. We have some startling news: the “food” in McDonald’s commercials is heavily doctored. Yeah, you probably already knew that. No one and nothing can make a burger look that perfect. However, with some clever tricks, fancy lighting, and digital editing, you can make anything look incredible.

And that’s exactly what McDonald’s does — they dress up their food with all kinds of fancy editing and lighting. But that’s not all, they also use a trick that stacks all the “goodies” near the front of the burger. The result? A lopsided sandwich:

Heres How McDonalds Makes Their Burgers Look so Perfect in AdsAnother trick? They use a syringe to apply the ketchup:

Heres How McDonalds Makes Their Burgers Look so Perfect in AdsWait — how do we know all this? In a surprisingly honest PR move, McDonald’s Canada put together the following video to answer a customer’s question regarding the appearance of ad burgers vs. real burgers.

This video takes you behind the scenes to show you how they make their food look so perfect in commercials:

(H/T & front page photo source: Business Insider)

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Comments (124)

1 2 3
  • angroehl
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 4:26pm

    And cereal companies use glue instead of milk to make the bowl of cereal more appealing. They ALL do this!! Have you EVER gotten something from a restaurant that looks like their ads? Um, no! So why just point at McDonalds?

    Report this comment

    angroehl  
    • Bum thrower
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 4:57pm

      Isn’t it AMAZING what they can do with cardboard these days!!!????

      Report this comment

      Bum thrower  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:06pm

      Just the other day I was talking to my food stylist…
      LOL First world characteristics, huh? FOOD STYLIST is an actual JOB!?! He he he

      Kudos to Mickey D’s for being up front.
      I have no problem with showcasing it in its best light.
      However, when any company shows the meat LARGER than the bun, then, the one you get has nothing visible besides bun, that seems dishonest. At least use an accurate depiction of the protein, okay?

      At Arbys recently (before they caved to left-wing extremist pressure, and dumped ALEC),
      I bought a meatloaf sandwich. The picture showed a nice 3/4″ or maybe even a 1″ thick slice of meatloaf on a bun. Upon receipt, it was two slices that were barely thick enough to hold together, about as thick as sliced bologna. ONLY BUN was even visible, the meat was so small. Yes, I felt “cheated.”
      Just don’t show a pound of meat in a picture and then deliver a 2oz portion. Alright?

      Report this comment

      TomFerrari  
    • chips1
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:25pm

      Bragging about size? Where have I heard that one?

      Report this comment

      chips1  
    • Mikev5
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:28pm

      Well if you actually go to a real restaurant yes it looks like the pictures but any fast food place doctors there pictures and plump there food up.

      I do not eat fast food never will that is not food its garbage that looks sort of like food but with 100 pounds of salt to make it tast good and 10 pounds of MSG.

      Report this comment

      Mikev5  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:38pm

      The ads show plastic replicas of meat, tomato, pickle, etc. No wonder they look so good on the ad or poster on the wall. In real life, they’re dropped on the dirty floor, stomped on and put on a bun.
      Seriously, I know how most of these places handle their food, so rarely ever eat anything more than a cup of coffee and perhaps an ice cream (which I’m sure has questionable ingredients.)
      When I hear some of the kids who work in these places go out back to smoke a joint, and
      see some use the restroom and don’t wash their hands, I kinds lose my appetite. When I imagine where their fingers have been, I can’t eat the food. Cook at home, it’s cleaner.

      Report this comment

      Bluebonnet  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:52pm

      I used to work at a company that photographs food for advertising.

      This article does not even come close to what is done to food products to make them look tasty.

      It is an art unto itself….. that reminds me of what is done at funeral homes.

      Report this comment

      The-Monk  
    • neidermeyer
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 6:08pm

      absolutely , real milk looks oddly blue in tint and the glue can be positioned on individual flakes…

      Report this comment

      neidermeyer  
    • AxelPhantom
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 7:46pm

      No surprise. A friend of mine did a Burger King commercial back in the 70’s when she was little and she said the buns were stale. When she told them she didn’t like stale bread, they told her to pretend she did. The stale buns made it “look” fresher.

      Report this comment

      AxelPhantom  
    • What_Did_I_Miss
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 7:55pm

      And tonight’s “News” anchor that reports on this serious matter will be wearing makeup to look better on camera. The next thing you know, guys will suck in their gut when a good looking woman walks by and girls will wear padded bras to get a guy to look their way. Keep it up and before we know it we will have a president, pandering to an electorate by issuing executive orders favoring different constituencies.

      Report this comment

      What_Did_I_Miss  
    • FortySixand2
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:04pm

      @What…looks like you didn’t miss a thing

      Report this comment

      FortySixand2  
    • earthbonz
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:36pm

      My favorite Teriyaki place makes food that looks EXACTLY like the picture on the wall.

      Report this comment

      earthbonz  
    • apollo18
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 11:29pm

      ref: tomferrari
      That’s why I stopped going to Blimpy’s. Great bread with a “meat VAPOR” in between.

      “What’s a Blimpy’s, Dad?”

      Where’s THAT bailout?

      Report this comment

      apollo18  
    • warhorse_03826
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:33am

      they use glue because milk photographs with a BLUE.tinge that is unappealing. they want it to photograph..oh I don’t know..WHITE like actual milk.

      after all they’re not advertizing the milk.

      Report this comment

      warhorse_03826  
    • georgette
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 9:55am

      everything from the government to food seems “photoshopped” ..
      .
      don’t you know? those cardboard boxes you’re sitting on are fine furniture..?.

      Report this comment

      georgette  
    • lawrench
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:10am

      The only fast food restaurant that serves food that looks close to what they advertise is Taco Bell. Since McDonalds stopped selling the McDLT sandwich I stopped going to McDonalds. I have disliked McDonalds since they started serving Chicken McNuggets because their fries started tasting bad. I personally think Wendy’s is a much better burger than McDonalds. I just wish there was a Jack in the Box in the state that I live.

      Report this comment

      lawrench  
    • prage2001
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:51pm

      I wonder how good they can make that burger look 12 hours AFTER I eat it.

      Report this comment

      prage2001  
    • Fla Del
      Posted on June 23, 2012 at 4:04am

      I have been a professional photographer for more than 27 years. I have shot many product inserts for print and commercials. There are many tricks we use to make the food look better than real life, just as we do for people. No one looks as good in life as they do in one of my portraits, me included.
      Here are some tricks that we have used many times. To make a stake look just cooked and delicious smear it with KY Jelly. To make peas look hot and plump pour Silicone Glue over the top layer and drop a frozen patty of hard butter in the middle. Shoot fast. The studio lights will melt the butter fast.
      Yes, all companies use tricks to make you desire to have or consume their product. Just like you use your best photo to attract that sexy person so they will want to be with you. Say Cheese!!

      Report this comment

      Fla Del  
    • Fla Del
      Posted on June 23, 2012 at 4:05am

      It is the nature of the beast. I have been a professional photographer for more than 27 years. I have shot many product inserts for print and commercials. There are many tricks we use to make the food look better than real life, just as we do for people. No one looks as good in life as they do in one of my portraits, me included.
      Here are some tricks that we have used many times. To make a stake look just cooked and delicious smear it with KY Jelly. To make peas look hot and plump pour Silicone Glue over the top layer and drop a frozen patty of hard butter in the middle. Shoot fast. The studio lights will melt the butter fast.
      Yes, all companies use tricks to make you desire to have or consume their product. Just like you use your best photo to attract that sexy person so they will want to be with you. Say Cheese!!

      Report this comment

      Fla Del  
  • The citizen who cares
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 4:19pm

    Yeah, looks matter to a certain degree, but when it comes right down to it, all I care about is the taste

    Report this comment

    The citizen who cares  
    • emomobile
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 4:53pm

      When it comes down to it all I care about are taste and how HEALTHY it is. McDonalds will send you to an early grave, my friend.

      Report this comment

      emomobile  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:41pm

      EMOMOBILE Living will kill you………… figure it out!

      Report this comment

      RepubliCorp  
    • Smokey_Bojangles
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:17pm

      99.99% of dead people have consumed water.Water seems more deadly than Cheeseburgers Michelle.
      Today I saw an article blaming discount grocery stores for obesity.The leftist media needs to make up its mind.is everyone so RICH that they can eat at McDonald’s and Burger King and drink Big Gulps all day or so poor they have to shop at Discount Grocery stores? LA Bans McDonald’s in poor Neighborhoods and Michelle swears there are Food Deserts so she wants to spend a billion.Make up my Mind Food Nazis!

      Report this comment

      Smokey_Bojangles  
    • mlcblog
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:35am

      Me, too. I’ve seen this vid before, or one like it. So what? Let’s just eat ‘em.

      Report this comment

      mlcblog  
  • Jabocx
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 4:19pm

    Oh geeeez, say it isn’t so!

    Report this comment

    Jabocx  
  • Slipstick
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:59pm

    Some of the food is is PLASTIC.

    In the old days, they would put a lit cigarette behind s ‘steaming’ cup of coffee. Lately I heard they use a special 2-part chemical ‘smoke’ that does the same thing, but more effectively. Bottom line, ALL advertising is lies. Some are just bigger than others…

    Report this comment

    Slipstick  
  • South Philly Boy
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:45pm

    I knew that Advertisers did those things for a long time.

    Report this comment

    South Philly Boy  
  • cranberry
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:42pm

    Yummm

    Report this comment

    cranberry  
  • Rabble In Arms
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:27pm

    Bet MacDonald’s could do wonders with Nancy Pelosi’s face job…….

    Report this comment

    Rabble In Arms  
    • OniKaze
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:33pm

      No, I don’t think God Himself could do anything about that…

      I mean, if he could, don’t you think he would have? I can’t imagine what it must be like to wake up in the morning, roll over, and see THAT resting it’s face on the pillow next to me… (although, I guess that assumes that his husband still sleeps with it…)

      Polosi is the thing Nightmares are made of….

      Report this comment

      OniKaze  
    • LovinUSA
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:42pm

      Now that is really FUNNY, Idon’t care who you are!!!!!nGood job!

      Report this comment

      LovinUSA  
    • MJOforIAM
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 4:09pm

      Thanks for the LOL!!

      Report this comment

      MJOforIAM  
    • chips1
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:29pm

      Is that a pickle, or are you just glad to see me?

      Report this comment

      chips1  
    • What_Did_I_Miss
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 7:59pm

      I wonder where they’d shove the pickle?

      Report this comment

      What_Did_I_Miss  
  • waterboyharris
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:16pm

    Wow, I’m hungry now! Double Quarter with cheese, please.

    Report this comment

    waterboyharris  
  • MasterJoshua7
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:02pm

    I guess the transparency is nice.

    Report this comment

    MasterJoshua7  
    • LetUsReason
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 6:14pm

      Even the “transparency” is doctored, though. That’s the thing I have a problem with. They are giving the facade of being transparent when the burger she bought in the restaurant was specially made for “the corporate lady coming in soon to buy this that we need to make look awesome”.

      Even the show was a show! Ha! Who cares, right? Shut up and eat it.

      Report this comment

      LetUsReason  
  • Chromo200
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:53pm

    Ah, but the Quarter Pounder with Cheese without ketchup and extra pickels sure tastes good. The photography is nothing new .. I earned a good paycheck doing photography of food for restaurants in the late 70′s.

    As long as the ingredients are safe and the food is prepared properly, I don’t care that the photo and actual burger don’t match. Now the issue in their support of Planned Parenthood. I guess I will miss going to McDonalds. I already boycott Arby’s.

    Report this comment

    Chromo200  
  • Guitar Master
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:41pm

    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
    From THE REPORTER
    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    Heaven is = Two double cheese and a chocolate shake !

    Report this comment

    Guitar Master  
  • Carlinpa
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:34pm

    Some ads for food use NON food items..

    Report this comment

    Carlinpa  
    • @leftfighter
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:47pm

      Some front windors in asian restaurants use plastic.

      And?

      Report this comment

      @leftfighter  
    • Todd P
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:32pm

      I saw a similar story decades ago where some cereal company was using white paint instead of milk because paint has a “better consistency”. The ads are all fake. The burgers are good, though…

      Report this comment

       
  • Mainer forever
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:30pm

    I like thoes sandwiches….just wish they weren’t so salty tasting. I usually only eat 1/2 becasue of the salt taste.

    Report this comment

    Mainer forever  
  • ZMcLean
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:29pm

    i pesonaly thought this was about the delicious burgers but the transparency angle is interesting i like how we can find a simipolitical view in the preperation of food for a commercial

    Report this comment

    ZMcLean  
  • lapitup
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:22pm

    Im in the wrong buisness. I now have a degree in Hamburger Makeup. I am a make up artist for food. Ofcourse I don’t have a paper degree. I have just declaired my degree in this feild. Anyone want to hire me? I only charge 1000.00 a day. I even bring my on condiments. Hey this is a deal call while it lasts.

    Report this comment

    lapitup  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:17pm

    So it’s really not any different than what they do to women in pictures to make them look good. trick photography, heavy make up, and silicone.

    Report this comment

    teddrunk  
    • PPMStudios
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:33pm

      I’ve always heard about those photos of “Hot” women…

      “No matter how hot she looks, some guy, somewhere, is tired of her crap!”

      Report this comment

      PPMStudios  
  • scuba13
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:13pm

    Just like the Obama administration… they lie.

    Report this comment

    scuba13  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:39pm

      ….and all the Kings food stylist and all the Kings photographers
      couldn’t makes the words or vision of encinom palatable or tasteful.

      Report this comment

      The-Monk  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:41pm

      Edit;

      make, not makes

      Report this comment

      The-Monk  
    • livin4him
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:57pm

      Honestly, all the administrations have lied. I’m as republican as they come but if you think for one second they don’t lie to you as much as the democrats you’re just believing you’re own lie. The government’s job is to keep things secret so we don’t freak out. What do you think the people of the U.S.A would do if we found out Russia was secretly giving bombs to Iraq to launch an attack on us? We’d freak out. Why? Because we wouldn’t know what to do. Then some thumb sucking ****** comes up and says: “the people have the right to know!” And the media says “yeah! We have a right to know!” Do we? Should we? Do you want to know all the dirty covert ops and weapon selling your government does? Just something to think about. :-)

      Report this comment

      livin4him  
  • KyleD
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:12pm

    I really don’t care what it looks like and I really don’t care what it’s made of. As long as it tastes good and doesn’t infect me with something I’m going to eat it…well, not McDonalds…but fastfood in general.

    Report this comment

    KyleD  
    • woodyb
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:49pm

      Why pick on MacDonalds?

      When have you EVER ordered from a menu, even at a top-of-the-line steak house, and received a plate which even CLOSELY resembles what you saw on the menu???????????

      Report this comment

      woodyb  
  • teddyc73
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:01pm

    All companies do this to make their food look good in photographs. This isnt exclusive to McDonalds. Has this company become the national punching bag or what?

    Report this comment

    teddyc73  
    • angelcat
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:08pm

      You are so right! It is called food styling, and every magazine that has food pictures does exactly the same thing.

      Report this comment

      angelcat  
  • Dismayed Veteran
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 1:52pm

    It’s comfort food!!!! Leave it alone. I don’t want to know.

    Report this comment

    Dismayed Veteran  
  • Broncobuster
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 1:46pm

    Try to get a shake or parfait that looks like their pictures .I usually get served at least 1 inch below what the pictures show. How about a Frosty at Wendy’s? The picture on the window always shows the Frosty peaked above the cup.what you get will be filled an inch below the rim . If one asks about it they will say that’s where they’re told to fill it.

    Report this comment

    Broncobuster  
  • Midwest Blonde
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 1:29pm

    EVERY food photo is edited so it looks “pretty” for a photo shoot – no different than makeup on a model.

    Report this comment

    Midwest Blonde  
  • rickc34
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 1:29pm

    McDonalds has donated millions of dollars over the years to planned parenthood, fyi

    Report this comment

    rickc34  
    • teddyc73
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:00pm

      So, I don’t agree with it but they are allowed to do that.

      Report this comment

      teddyc73  
    • ONLY4UANDME
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:19pm

      Thank You!!

      Report this comment

      ONLY4UANDME  
    • LostInTheSpin
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:27pm

      Yes, they are allowed to do that…just like I’m allowed to not eat there anymore because of it. Thanks for the info Rick.

      Report this comment

      LostInTheSpin  
    • Exrepublisheep
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:31pm

      And probably saved lives doing so.

      Report this comment

      Exrepublisheep  
    • formidable_foe
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 4:48pm

      Good information to know. I already quit shopping at Target because of the groups they support. What was more damning for me though was when they refused to allow the Salvation Army to collect donations in front of their store at Christmas time.

      Report this comment

      formidable_foe  
  • Cabo King
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 1:29pm

    kinda like the way Michelle puts on her makeup….you can make anything loud 1/2 way good

    Report this comment

    Cabo King  
    • teddyc73
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:02pm

      Must everything be political or a bust on the President and his wife? I dont like his policies and I want him gone in November but good grief. Enough.

      Report this comment

      teddyc73  
    • AzThunder
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:11pm

      @ Cabo King — Doesn’t matter what muchelle does, she is still f–ugly no matter what she does with her face

      Report this comment

       
    • KyleD
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:14pm

      Everything is political. Denying that just makes it easier for people to manipulate you.

      Report this comment

      KyleD  
  • Too_Far_Gone
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 1:26pm

    Whi cares.

    Report this comment

    Too_Far_Gone  
    • Servant Of YHVH
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 1:34pm

      I agree!

      Report this comment

      Servant Of YHVH  
    • BigPawz
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 1:43pm

      @TOOFAR, I can honestly see how you would feel that way. Also, I am in no way disparaging your feelings. However, on a little more positive side, let us take a moral from this story. Remember back to 2008 when the HNIC who is presently in the White House proclaimed proudly that he would maintain the most transparent administration this country had ever seen? I see this as an attempt, on the part of McDonald’s, to be transparent to their consuming public. Does a fresh level of honesty ring a bell? (By the way, it means nothing to me that this came out of Canada rather than a franchise or an office in the United States. What matters to me is that somebody had the temerity to do it and the home office of McDonald’s has not objected to the point that sanctions were handed out to the folks who did this.) THANK YOU, MCDONALD’S!!!!

      Report this comment

      BigPawz  
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