09 May 2007
Ooh, I've been sitting on some foodie photographs because I haven't had any sort of narrative to tie them together (does that usually stop me?). I bought oat bran the other week for a bread recipe, but it was sold as a hot cereal, so in the name of science, I tried it out:
Topped with fried apples -- yum. I've been enjoying the changing light as Minnesota edges towards summer. Taking photographs in the morning really alters their look. Low and unusual light usually produces a more interesting photograph than midday sunshine (and doesn't wash out the subject), but I don't use a tripod, so keeping a steady hand at 1/20 (of a second) is key. I'll attempt to take photos right down to 1/4, with very mixed results; I just need to be able to move around and find the angle I want.
Ever since seeing this photo, I've had a hankering to try the bulk peanut butter from The Wedge, and I finally got around to it this week. It's serious stick-to-your-teeth stuff.
I love that a lot of cookbook photography is moving in a new direction -- I'm absolutely in love with the images in Nigel Slater's books (and Apples for Jam, Grub, etc). Perhaps it's just going along with the movement in general; good food is less about haute cuisine and more about making something special and enjoyable for yourself and loved ones. Do you think?
I really want to buy a new macro lens, but recent expenses (finishing the porch, starting the garden, etc) have put it on the back burner for now. I almost always use the 28-90 lens that I originally got with my Nikon film SLR (I use a Nikon D70 these days). I've got a combination macro/telephoto lens as well, but it's massive and requires a lot of light to get a decent shutter speed.
Anyway, I'm thinking photographic thoughts this morning because Holly from decor8 posted about my flickr photos. I woke up to an inbox full of flickr contacts and figured something must be up -- how exciting!
Even though I have been paid to take photographs here and there, I still think of myself as very much an amateur. I guess, ideally, things will continue on like that. Even if a big time chef one day called me up to collaborate on a new cookbook (one can dream!), I'd still always be looking at the photographers I love, trying to figure out how I can improve.
:) thanks!!
posted by jen at May 9, 2007 11:29 PM
Thank you for such a lovely compliment, Anna! It's funny because you actually have inspired my photography and have made me look at my every day life through the lens in a new way.
Also...
I'm always having difficulty with lighting. I only have a Nikon D50 (and used the lens it came with for about a year), but now use a Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm (1.8D) lens which helps immensly with lower light situations. I just am not that crazy about its focal range (very short), but being only $140 makes it a very good tradeoff.
posted by Taryn at May 10, 2007 05:42 AM