Making photos that make your mouth water can be very satisfying, but even more satisfying for me is when my eyes see something that makes me say "Oooooh— Look at that." Little visual gems. It happened when Michael was making his mussels. The noon sun was high in the sky—not great light for shooting food because it's harsh and creates strong black shadows—but for very dark black mussels, the light was strong enough to uncover the colors in the black shells—that are beautiful little sculptures on their own. Here is another little gem I found when shooting in Chef Michael Symon's kitchen and he was working with fresh peas.
When you see something like that—you just have to shoot it—even if people think you're a little nuts. "What the hell is she doing?" Look for these things and when you see it—shoot it—and later hopefully others will say, "Ooooooh—Now I see".
Welcome to the blogging world. I will visit your site frequently. Great mussels. Are you sure you did not porn them up a little?
Beautiful shots! I love the small sunburst next to the mussel.
Radish thanks. And no—I didn't porn the mussels up. I turned some to face the camera and because my lights and the sun were drying them up I stole Michael's baster and shot them with water. Then I ate them with some white wine 🙂
On Sep 14, 2009, at 12:08 PM, typepad@sixapart.com wrote:
Thanks Rose—Decades ago during my lens filter craze I had a star filter that made 6 point stars out of any reflection you had in your photo--it also sometimes turned them into groovey rainbow colors. I think this one happened because I had a small bowl of water nearby that refracted the light.
On Sep 14, 2009, at 12:11 PM, typepad@sixapart.com wrote:
Gorgeous photos - I love the thought of looking for those visual gems...and I've never seen mussels look so good! (And clearly, someone did a very fine job scrubbing them, too!)
Thanks for sharing your images and notes about your process with us - your work is inspiring!
One of the things that has always made me so happy about your pictures is that they are (or seem to be) taken 'in the moment' rather than manufactured moments for the photos sake. I know, sometimes you have to add light or something, but they have an authentic quality that is not present in food that has been styled. You have inspired me to pick up my camera...no matter who may be watching!
Looking at these two photography's awakens the senses - I can smell the ocean and the garden.
Wonderful work, Donna!
I can imagine what your lens could do with a strand of pearls...i imagine jewelry is about as hard to photograph as food...especially dazzling stones - that poped into my head
As you can tell from my Flickr page, I do a lot of natural (i.e. not styled) food photography with my DSLR and a basic macro lens. I really like that kind of natural look that's not styled or fussy, so I appreciate your work Donna!
I am interested in learning more as I practice and add to my equipment, so I would love any details on your photography equipment, detailed settings, tips, recommended accessories, etc. Thanks!
When you see something like that—you just have to shoot it—even if people think you're a little nuts. "What the hell is she doing?"
-HAHAH you have NO IDEA how often I get that. I love it!!!
Several of you have asked about the equipment I use. Over the years I have accumulated several 35mm film cameras, a Mamiya medium format, and a Sinar 4X5 view camera--none of which I touch now that I have gone digital with my Nikon D200 using my 25 year old lenses. For food I use almost exclusively a 55mm macro lens, but I also have a 24mm, 35mm, and my favorite lens an 85mm 1.4. —all are Nikkor manual focus. Michael doesn't know this but I plan on asking for a auto focus zoom lens for Xmas now that my eyes are going. My lights are also 25 years old and they are Dynalite—a set of 3 strobe heads with halogen modeling bulbs that plug into a 500 watt power pack. I use a soft box, various umbrellas and scrims to control the quality of light. But as I have mentioned else where, I do sometimes just use a tripod(you want to shoot at a low ISO) and some fill cards when I am able to shoot very early or very late in the day using that beautiful sunlight.
On Sep 15, 2009, at 10:41 AM, typepad@sixapart.com wrote:
I love black and white photography but I look at it as giving an art message.
Food for me should be in color.
Unless like a painting you are making a still life or trying to send a message.
Apparently God is a mussel.
(But I bet lots of us already sort of knew that...) 😉
Great shots - and it's nice to hear from you!
Being a passionate amateur photographer, I find that the more you look for these "visual gems", the more you find. Especially if, like me, you are attracted to shapes, balance, texture and form as much as the subject itself.
Unfortunately, it's not always a good thing as you mention, people often give you odd looks!