What's in my toolbox?

Kitchen gadgets I can't live without currently:

From top left, clockwise

Stand-up knife sharpener. Simply stand on the counter and drag knife through. Takes the guess work out of free-hand sharpening.

Microplane grater/zester. Works wonders with ginger and parmesan.

Madoline slicer. A dream with onions.

Boy scout style can opener. Tried and true, never breaks, super-cheap. I got tired of paying big bucks for can openers that only lasted a year, these little guys never fail.

Wooden spatula. Great for stir-frying and just general stirring. Won't melt, like plastic, or get too hot, like metal.

Last but not least, my beloved woo-woo. Or as most people call them, an immersion blender. Awesome for soups, mine comes with a mini chopping attachment that I use to make salad dressings, pesto, and marinades.

What's in your toolbox? Please share here or visit MauiShopGirl to find out what others have tucked away.

Peaceful

Maui Shop Girl (http://mauishopgirl.com/2012/09/just-another-photo-challenge-peaceful/) is hosting a weekly photo challenge on her blog. Since I'd really like to focus on improving my photography skills, I decided to join the fun. This week's theme is "Peaceful."

Peaceful is...

Feet in sand.

Clouds overtaking the sun.

Private tide pools.

Sorry this post is so wonky folks. I'm trying to publish from my iPad in the airport on the way to Minnesota for a wedding. Hope you all have a peaceful day!

Naked Ladies and Nutella

Hello orange, meet Nutella. Oh, you've met? How nice. Oh, you're in love and planning a fall wedding? Fantastic!

Would you like to come with me to their wedding? All you need is a juicy winter orange and a scoop of Nutella in a bowl and you're invited.

This wedding feast was an afternoon snack for me as I worked on some drawings. I've been attending a life drawing class at the wonderful Donkey Mill art center.

I'm no artist, but drawing is a sort of meditation for me, it quiets the mind as you focus on light and shadow.

And speaking of shadow, I'm into the shadows in these photos. I know it's not technically "right" but I dunno, I think it looks cool.

Enjoy your snack!

My favorite photo featured on Anonymous was a Woman

Hop on over to Anonymous was a Woman (love that name for a blog) today to see my little write up about my favorite photograph. "My favorite photo" is an ongoing series on Sarah's blog that I just love. She also takes wonderful photographs herself and writes ever-engaging blog content. Please do check out her blog!

Photo from anonymous was a woman

Take Better Photos: Tips from a Pro

CoriKindred

No, I am certainly not a pro when it comes to photography. But I know someone who is! And this someone has graciously agreed to give me some advice, which I am passing on to all of you, because this photo taking business sure is tricky.

John Bernunzio, who owned a wonderful photography studio in Portland, Oregon hired me at the age of sixteen as a photography assistant. You may assume I learned a great deal about the art at that time, which I did, however 16-year-olds don't often have enough perspective to appreciate such a gift, leaving me now to often wish I'd taken more time to learn from him. Actually the gift John gave to me at that time had nothing to do with photography, he was my mentor in life. He happened to be one of the few (semi)sane adults in my life that I really looked up to. I also often wonder how I would have turned out without the studio as my refuge.

Let's talk about photography now, shall we?

I'm planning to do a series of these so let's focus this one on:


Gear: What the heck do I need to take good pictures?


I'm currently using a Canon Rebel XT for all my food shots.

John says: The camera you have (Canon Rebel) is perfectly fine for what you're doing. It has all the features you'll ever need for your main purpose.


Sweet! I'm using the standard 18-55mm lens.


John says: The lens you have is good for general picture-taking, which is what that one is designed for. But this lens is not appropriate for your food shots. You need to use a longer focal-length lens, like THIS.

Good to know, I'll start saving my pennies. What else do I need?

John says: You must have a decent tripod. If you don't use a tripod for each shot, you're really hurting your chances for success. 


I've read time and again on other blogs not to use flash when taking food photos. True?


John says: Whoever told you that you shouldn't use a flash for photos is wrong.                                       HOWEVER... there's using flash - and then there's using flash. Again, more learning through use. The use of reflectors and/or additional light sources in your food shots are CRITICAL!!! You can MAKE your own reflectors using assorted materials. This step alone would make a huge difference for you.


Obviously, not an easy question to answer. AND I clearly have a lot of learning to do. 


Do you have a question for John? Email me at gwenedwards82[at]gmail.com or leave a comment and we will try to meet your photography needs! 


Next installment: restaurant shots!