From zero to zero - It's all in a bloggers day...

The day begins with a zero. Sometimes that's a good thing. Then, you can add to the day as you go. But, then again, zero can also be a flat line and the day drags by with meaningless activities of laundry, bill paying, drudgery of weeds begging to be pulled.

Oh now, just wait a minute... then again it can be filled with a lovely lunch at Wellspring  http://iamvitality.com/  in Woodburn. The best kept secret. You'd never know there was a restaurant in a medical complex. Vitality is the restaurant name. Sounds a little too healthy to be so delish. Fabulous food and fancy desserts.

Nothing fancy about the point and shoot tiny Canon I pulled out of my purse, poked the 'on' button and took the shot. 
   Can it ever be that quick and simple when photographing food? Even the         best of 'automatic' needs a little nudge to get a better shot.

My lunch partner had a tiny flashlight in her purse. (Purses are such wonderful things, they can produce all kinds of emergency stuff.)


Holding the tiny flashlight tricked the 'automatic'  to deepen the color.
   The final "shot" was enhanced by combining both photos, adding a window curtain and a picture of the Eiffel Tower. 

While we "ouud and auud" our way through this mouth watering dessert we talked about food around the world. Not only food, but flavors and customs of eating and enjoying the flavors. Paris was part of the conversation, so, of course, nothing would do but pretend we had a seat looking out the window toward the Eiffel Tower. Zero starts to your day can turn into a grand adventure. 

Food Styling For Bloggers and Food Writers

For the first time in Portland, Oregon there was a class on Food Styling For Bloggers and Food Writers at In Good Taste Cooking School. I was the instructor. It was so exciting to see everyone arrive with enthusiasm and good cheer. After describing my journey from zero to a finished cookbook doing it all myself, the real teaching task began. Tips, tricks and techniques were crowded in to three hours.

The making of a BLT for the camera is much different than making it for the plate. This picture was taken after four hours, yes four hours, of preparation.

Smoke and mirrors were used to put on grill marks with a description of what to do in Photoshop to ensure perfection. The student rave reviews reflected the impact the information had on everyone.

Portland Culinary Alliance is going to sponsor another class in September. It will include photography too. Check back for details as they become available.