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lighting, styling and post, and taught me how to use my cameras: a circa 2001 Nikon Coolpix 5700 and my newer but still outdated Canon PowerShot SD750.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.
