Food photography: A little scrumptious and enticing

Tags

art, food, photography, photos

“In France, cooking is a serious art form and a national sport.”
― Julia Child

So that’s what food photography is supposed to do, right? Make you water a bit at the mouth, make you wish you could reach into that photo and take a little nibble of that beautiful, artful food?

During my initial interests in dabbling in food photography, my wee bit of research showed that photographers often believe that you should treat the food like you would any other subject – check out the frame, focus on the lighting, remember the composition. But I think it takes a bit more, a certain je nais se quoi that makes you want to come and get it.

Here are my first attempts. I was pleased with the results. Feel free to leave your thoughts about them as well!

Summer: A Roadside Delight (Weekly Photo Challenge)

Tags

art, photography, photos, postaday, summer, weekly photo challenge

When I think of the summer, I think of sun-ripened berries, warm lazy evenings on the porch, and cool lemonade. In California, where I used to live, summer was perpetual. One afternoon, we drove on a highway in the middle of California where we were surprised to find the roadside dotted with big, blossoming sunflowers. I eventually forced the family to pull over so I could catch them in all their glory.

This is my version of the theme Summer, as part of the weekly photo challenge that can be found here.  [This photo was originally posted here].

Today is a rainy day

Tags

art, bali, life, musings, photography, wedding

There is something so poetic about rain. Today is a rainy day – actually, it’s more like a thunderstorm-y day. On days like this, I like to pretend that I am in a cottage in some small coastal town, working on my photography while the rain pitter-patters in a perfect background soundtrack.

Actually, we hope someday to open up a small inn in a tiny little coastal town, much like the one in my daydreams. Lots of things have to be done between now and then, but hopefully someday we’ll be able to achieve that dream.

Balinese wedding guest

Speaking of dreams, I once had an experience that is the stuff of dreams. While we were in Bali (yes, that’s fabulous by itself!), we were wandering around the central town of Ubud and came across a Balinese wedding. The bride and groom were delighted to allow me to do their photography, although they requested that we don a traditional Balinese sarong out of respect to their culture (which we happily did – we popped across to the little store across the street to buy a couple of them). I don’t think I’ve been so happy in my life, witnessing love being officiated in a foreign culture and language and being allowed to go crazy with my camera.

This is one of my favorite photos from this wedding. And yes, it was every bit that beautiful.

Hands: Staying Balanced (Weekly Photo Challenge)

Tags

india, life, photography, post a week, travel, weddings, weekly photo challenge

Indian weddings are a delight for the senses – with festive music, splashes of color everywhere, and soulfully-cooked food. The bride is covered head to toe in beautiful silks and jewelry. Even her hands and feet are decorated in an intricate henna design, called “mehendi”. The “mehendi ceremony” precedes the wedding and is an event where all the ladies from all generations gather to have their own hands designed. Sometimes some playful mehendi artists will even hide the groom’s name within the design, and a game that the bride and groom play when they are relaxing after the wedding involves the groom trying to find his name within the intricacies of the design.

This is my version of the theme Hands, as part of the weekly photo challenge that can be found here.

Blue: Le Tour (Weekly Photo Challenge)

Tags

art, paris, photography, travel

A sunny blue sky in Paris

This photo was taken in Paris underneath the Eiffel Tower.

This is my version of the theme Blue, as part of the weekly photo challenge that can be found here.

Lazy days on the lagoon

Tags

art, italy, life, photography, travel, venice

Burano, Italy

This reminds me of that one lazy day I spent on the lagoon in Italy. It’s where I go mentally on days when I am utterly exhausted, such as today.

Burano is a lovely little island in the northern part of the Venetian lagoon that is famous for its lace-making history and colorful houses. Although some say that the purpose of the colors was to clearly delineate the homes from each other, there is also a belief that each house was painted in a bright and unique color so that tired fisherman would be able to see their houses from afar after a long day of fishing.

An ode to the yellow rose

Tags

art, life, photography

The roses are blooming and I smell the sweetness. Everything desirable is here already in abundance. And the sea. The dark thing is hardly visible in the leaves, under the sheen. We sleep easily. So I bring no sad stories to warn the heart. All the flowers are adult this year. The good world gives and the white doves praise all of it

- L. Gregg

This photograph is in honor of a wonderful blogger and woman, Nae, whose blog may be found here. Thank you for sharing your strength through your journey and struggle, and may you somehow find some momentary joy in this photo I’ve chosen to share with you.  

Unfocused: A small street in Paris (Weekly Photo Challenge)

Tags

art, life, photography, travel

“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris… then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you“

- E. Hemingway

Taken on a stroll through Paris on a cold day. The bright green walklight startled me amongst the beautiful old buildings and dreary gray sky.

This is my version of the theme Unfocused, as part of the weekly photo challenge that can be found here.

Of all four seasons, I love all four the best

Tags

art, life, photography, travel

SPRING

A thing of beauty –

Attention to all of my wonderful readers, I have recently added a new badge on my sidebar (to the right) that will contribute funds to the nature conservancy each and every time it is clicked!!

Today’s post is dedicated to nature and the beauty of our planet. I have included four images that, to me, embody the essences of all four seasons.

Please take a second to click on the badge, and also, feel free to leave any thoughts, comments, compliments, etc.

AUTUMN

SUMMER

WINTER

Together: Mother and Baby (Weekly Photo Challenge)

Tags

art, photography, travel

Enjoy, and please feel free to leave comments and thoughts!