Food is for me is like paint for a painter. At the farmers market, all I see are endless possibilities for color combinations, textures, and patterns. The food is so close, so vulnerable, I love being able to reach out to touch and hold it in my hands. Somewhere between looking, feeling, smelling, and even tasting, my mind is formulating an image. My sensory exploration of the scene helps me capture the essence, the feeling, of what I’m immersed in that very moment.
Every time I make a picture that conveys a feeling, I well up with gratitude and joy for having been at the right place and the right time. I have nothing to do with creating those moments, because they are already happening all around me. I love the challenge of communicating life’s fleeting ephemeral and sensual moments via a picture.
Pictures of food speak volumes. There are endless metaphors about life and food that have been ingrained in so many of our minds via society and culture. There are also endless hang-ups and road blocks folks have when it comes to the kitchen, many of which I’ve experienced myself at one time or another. But what if we were to shift our outlook just a little, and approach the kitchen like we do a photo: with curiosity and eyes wide open. Next time you open the fridge, take a good look at the color of your fruit, feel the texture of your mustard, feel the weight of your carton of milk. Try looking at the items in your fridge not just as necessary edibles, but fresh paint for your palate of ideas. Then let us know if something in there surprised you, or maybe even became a muse.
Images and words courtesey of the lovely and talented Tricia Martin of Eating is Art.
Andrea says
I find this post really inspiring and encouraging to actually take the time in the kitchen to search for treasures!
One of my recent attempts: http://www.andreahandl.de/?p=411
Marcie says
This past winter I did a whole series of still lifes that were just about fruit – their color and texture and composition:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/home/2011/4/18/sweet-abundance-1.html
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/home/2011/3/24/three-shadows.html
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/home/2011/2/11/lil-darlings.html
Chantal says
Did some lightbox food sessions:
http://chantaliaans.shutterchance.com/photoblog/Dark_vs_Red_/
http://chantaliaans.shutterchance.com/photoblog/Garlic_Model_/
http://chantaliaans.shutterchance.com/photoblog/Apples_6/
ella Kreilisheim says
We eat with our eyes – that is why colors are so important :Ohttp://www.flickr.com/photos/55510022@N05/5834037670/in/photostream
camaca says
My pict Is not fresh, (and it is not from today), but I thinks it fits here because is the brown of chocolate that inspires me, and the different textures if the chocolate is cold or warm.
http://aifonejant.blogspot.com/2011/05/el-berenar.html
I love the "greyed" green of the first shot on contrast with the orange color.And the texture of the cabbage.
Doris says
I'm amazed by the wonderful topics that greet me when I visit this blog. Love, love coming here.
Fruit as Muse? That's never occurred to me before, but YES, fruit has been my muse on several occasions. My latest fruit muse was shooting apples in the rain. I shot each time it rained until just the right rain shower passed through. This is the image that made me smile:
http://dorisrudddesigns.wordpress.com/2011/03/10/rainy-day-apples/
And I can't NOT show this photo. My take on Blood Oranges. My first experience of fruit as muse:
http://dorisrudddesigns.wordpress.com/2010/02/07/38-365/
Kath says
Recently I have been inspired by Penny De Los Santos and trying to stretch myself to photograph food. It is more of a challenge than I thought it would be. I spent this past weekend with best girl friends and photographed one of our wine tastings.
http://www.soeursdujour.com/2011/06/wine-cheese.html
Becky Sue says
I LOVE the Farmer's Market for the gorgeous display of color and all of the photo opportunities it creates! I could spend hours there if I had the time.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rslaflam/5760343438/
DebC says
You all create such wonderful photographs!
Here is my (2008) inspiration from iced tea and the afternoon light . . .
http://simplify-daily-life.blogspot.com/2011/06/20110616-iced-tea-and-afternoon-light.html
marina says
wow, the colours and textures in these shots are wonderful, and the words so inspiring!
here's a photo of cherries, I love summer colourful yummy fruits, they make me happy:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mar_s/5839535270/lightbox/
Petra says
Oh, … so happy … I can add a pic as I've just experimented with food a few days ago. My old camera was not able to catch red hues and I wanted to find out how the new one is doing once I opened the head of the beetroot … *lol*
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10455294@N05/5832351994/in/photostream
Katrina Kennedy says
I love and am inspired by food photos as well – from my backyard garden to the farmer's market. Food holds such stories. Thank you for a beautiful post!
http://captureyour365.com/2011/05/7-tips-for-shooting-food-at-its-source-may-merriment-day-19/
Jenni Bailey says
Yes! I have become obsessed with food photography lately.
http://jennibailey.com/?p=559
http://jennibailey.com/?p=453
http://jennibailey.com/?p=439
Erica says
Really inspiring and encouraging! The words so inspiring!
Erica says
Really inspiring and encouraging! The words so inspiring!
http://www.homeownerinsurancequoter.com
melissa says
In my house, with four little ones, our dinner is the only thing that stays still long enough for me to take my time photographing it. I endure the good-natured teasing that comes with taking pictures of our food. I am at home in the kitchen, in so many ways. It feels natural for me to try and capture what sustains us. I am enjoying the photos in the comments here!
http://melissatalbert.wordpress.com/2011/05/26/i-made-breakfast-bars/
http://melissatalbert.wordpress.com/2011/06/06/a-messy-weekend-full-of-feasting/
http://melissatalbert.wordpress.com/2011/06/09/all-in-a-day/
Tricia says
Hi Everyone! Thanks for all of your lovely comments and sharing your gorgeous photos–I've really enjoyed looking at them all. Keep finding food for a muse! Until next time ๐ xo, Tricia
Leanne says
Food is great to photograph.
Here are some photos from a trip to a fresh food market.
http://knowwheretostand.blogspot.com/2011/06/everleigh-market.html
Angela says
Evidence of margaritas …
http://ahemobile.posterous.com/margarita-mess
Stephanie says
I love photographing food! My most recent pics are of our delicious homemade pizzas: http://bigmariolife.blogspot.com/2011/06/easy-peasy-pizza-dough.html
Rivki Locker (Ordinary Blogger) says
I am pretty new to food photography and blogging, but for me, it is definitely a creative outlet. Beautiful post. Thank you!
Vibram says
I'm amazed by the wonderful topics that greet me when I visit this blog. Love, love coming here.
http://www.vibramfivefingers-buy.com/
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