Sunday, August 01, 2010

Phototasting


You know how I go on about being such a bad photographer and subject you to my wretched iPhone photos and act like it's cute and funny? (It's not.) I'm happy to report this is about to change, thanks to the Phototasting workshop I attended yesterday at Cube Cafe and Marketplace.

Hosted by four lovely, knowledgeable and talented food bloggers -- Pam at Rants & Craves, Claire at The Kitchy Kitchen, Tony at SinoSoul and Jessica at Cube -- the workshop introduced me to nerdy essentials like white balance, ISO, aperture, shutter speed and exposure. Our hosts addressed composition, lighting, styling and post, and taught me how to use my cameras: a circa 2001 Nikon Coolpix 5700 and my newer but still outdated Canon PowerShot SD750. (My iPhone was banished to my handbag, where it will remain whenever food photography is in play. You're welcome.)

Along with approximately 20 other delightful participants -- many who are food bloggers -- I practiced my new found skills shooting and sharing a delicious four-course regional Italian meal focused on seasonal ingredients.

How did I do? You decide.

(The following images were shot with my Canon SD750 point and shoot and are straight from the camera. I haven't gotten around to downloading the images from my Nikon.)


First Course
Heirloom Tomato and Fresh Peach with Buffalo Mozzarella, Six-Year Balsamic and Olive Oil

Second Course
Black Truffle Pizza with Mozzarella and Fried Egg

Third Course
Pancetta-Wrapped Porchetta with Creamy Polenta and Roasted Broccoli

Dessert
White Nectarine Shortcake with Lemon Verbena and Fresh Cream


I have a long way to go before I can brag about my food photography, but I think it's safe to say I've vastly improved. I'm chomping at the bit (or porchetta as it were) to learn and practice so much more. Now if only I could persuade my hosts to let me follow them around so their awesomeness could rub off on me. But I'll settle for stalking their blogs, and am definitely signing up for their next workshop.

10 comments:

  1. Maggie, it was nice meeting you yesterday! Look at your gorgeous shots!

    I have mine up on the Flickr pool already but I haven't blogged yet. And when I do, it'll be on my food blog at http://hmmfoodgood.blogspot.com (Not OakMonster.com ... that one's for OTHER things in life. Hehe.)

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  2. Well done. I have to say that I respect you quite a bit for taking the time to learn about exposure, lighting and other photography basics. I feel like it is becoming more and more common for people to think that the answer to getting great images is to charge out and spend 2500 on a 5D kit, which subsequently is permanently switched to "auto." I'm not hating on those people. I just think that the approach you are taking is much more likely to yield desired results. And clearly, it already has. The shots you posted came out great, and without having to retouch anything. I'm looking forward to seeing more. And that concludes the longest comment, ever.

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  3. those definitely make me crave more food! either way, your food photos always look delicous!

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  4. Maggie! It was such a pleasure meeting you yesterday! Thanks for the kind words. Your shots look fabulous! I especially like the one of the truffle pizza with the runny egg yolk...*drool.*

    Stalk away, girl! That's what we food bloggers do! hahaha. Hope to see you at the next one! :)

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  5. I was at the class too and man I have a lot to learn! I have yet to post my pics but I have to say that the second photo is my favorite! The composition and styling is just fab. It really captured the components of the dish in just "one bite".

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  6. Maggie- The photos look awesome! My favorite is definitely the pizza with the egg yolk. Makes me want some NOW! I also am digging your blog. Looks great!

    Best!
    Jacqueline
    http://rocketlunch.blogspot.com/

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  7. This is exactly what need.Maybe you can give a very detailed summary o what you learned so we can learn too.

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  8. Lovely to meet you too Maggie! I returned to the scened of the crime last night without my camera (it was dark), but what a great place. I was disciplined and tried something different - the scallops and no dessert, but that black truffle pizze was beckoning - now doubly so after seeing your pics.

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  9. So jealous! I would love to do a workshop like that. I read tutorials, my camera manual and the like to try to figure out all the manual settings...but I am sooo wishing someone would sit down with me in person and show me exactly what's what.

    Nice work! My favorite is the last shot. :-)

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