Photo Post by Donna
I thought I knew what a shallot looked like. I've always liked the photo I took below showing shallots being diced. Then, I saw the shallots Michael brought home from the farmer's market last week. They were huge! I like photographing the natural design elements in nature, so when I saw one of these babies sliced open—I just had to capture the art work that mother nature had made. Macro photography is essential for a lot of food photography because it allows you to get the texture details of small things and eliminate unimportant backgrounds. Sometimes, that's all we need to see.
Amy (Minimally Invasive)
Wonderful photo. The contrast of the papery skins and delicate flesh of the shallot is just beautiful. And now I'll have to bump the macro lens to the top of my Christmas wish list!
Amanda
oh
my
gosh
it looks like the grand canyon or something. What an amazing photo.
You truly have a gift Donna. Will this shallot photo be in the calendar? Because I have to have one then.
what talent.
RecollectedStephanie
(gasp!)
Yet ANOTHER one! Your food photos always make me want to purchase large framed prints for my kitchen. "Like the Grand Canyon" is right! I could look and look at that shot.
barry
DEE-LISH-US looking photo. My local source for shallots at the Ballard Farmer's Market grows the big shallots as well. Says the others are too difficult to raise in this climate. They are as tasty and, frankly, easier to cook with - than the smaller "cloved" or "duo" shallots with which I am more familiar.
Donna
I was going to use the other one. . .but now I think I prefer this one and will switch. Tough call—Michael likes the other one better.
Josie
Another beautiful picture. Have you ever considered giving a class for those of us in Ohio who are - ahem - camera challenged? 😉
Whineaux
I love the contrast of color and texture. You have a great eye!
viviane bauquet farre / food & style
Just beautiful Donna! As always... What an inspiration you are.
And I cook with shallots everyday - love to look at them and love to eat them!
lux
I'd love to hear some more about how to do macros. 🙂
Donna
There is nothing really special or difficult when doing macro photography because it is the lens that enables you to focus when you are very close to your subject. My macro lens is over 20 years old. It's a Nikor 55mm3.5 manual focus. A standard lens, whether it be wide angle, telephoto or zoom, can only get so close to the subject and be able to focus. A photo taken like that can be cropped later, but will look different. I am certainly not someone who can recommend or talk technically about them other then to say, buy the best quality you can afford if you're serious about getting great quality images.
Rob C.
Stupendous! Just gorgeous! I would love to see this in it's full blown, full sized, full colored, uncompressed .raw beautifulness.
Lynne
Beautiful still life with lovely lighting. Credit also goes to the chef for the perfectly cut shallot halves.
Darcie
Just wanted to chime in with all the compliments on your photography - it's quite inspiring. I once had a great macro lens, but unfortunately all of my camera equipment was stolen and I've haven't been able to replace it (stupid dying fridge). One fine day..
Donna
Thanks Lynne, I forwarded your email to Michael.
All best,
Donna
Donna
Thanks Darcie—sorry about your equipment—fridges are more important.
All best wishes,
Donna
viviane bauquet farre / food & style
Just beautiful Donna! As always... What an inspiration you are.
And I cook with shallots everyday - love to look at them and love to eat them!
viviane bauquet farre / food & style
Just beautiful Donna! As always... What an inspiration you are.
And I cook with shallots everyday - love to look at them and love to eat them!