Wednesday, July 20, 2011

BLACK AND WHITE WEDNESDAY #2 & AN INTERVIEW

Maple Tartlets Maple 1 3 bis
- A Bottle full Of Promises -

Those of you who follow me know that I love to post pictures of the nature and landscapes surrounding me on Wednesdays (Wordless Wednesday posts). Well, this time, I've decided to change things a little.

Last week, Susan at "The Well-Seasoned Cook" launched a new event called "Black & White Wednesday" which focuses on monochromic food-related imagery and since that stroke me as a good and challenging idea, I thought that I could take part in it today.

Creating an interesting black and white photo of food is not that easy as what attracts us in culinary photography is mostly color. Of course, composition is important, but we are undeniably always drawn to that genious combination of vibrant hues, tints and shades as they confer a funky vibe we so much love.

On the other hand, grayscale images are only composed of a variation of shades of gray, that range from black at the weekest intensity to white at the strongest. It is then very tricky to trigger the right mood, thus you really have to choose your subject thouroughly. Nonetheless, a perfect black and white shot can emanate even more emotion and mysticality than a color click. In its apparent simplicity and finesse, it is somehow characterful, powerful and carries a deep message.

I have tried to reproduce those feelings with my shots which I hope you'll like. They were both taken in color, then some effects were added to them and finally they were converted to black and white. I am no professional photographer, just an amateur, but I try my best to create candy for the eyes, so don't be too mean to me. Thanks.

Maple Syrup BW 1 bis
- Maple, North American Liquid Gold -

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FoodLoversWebsite
As good things come in threes, not long ago, I was approached by Correen at "Food Lovers' Website" who wanted to interview me. Being someone who is always honored when people show interest in my blog and little self, it was with pleasure that I accepted her kind proposition.

In order to kindle your interest, here's a short segment of that interview:

A rock n’ roll attitude, huh? Talk to us about how that shapes you and your blogging. Well, I have a cool attitude towards cooking and don’t take myself too seriously even if I prepare some serious grub. I experiment a lot and like to be a non-conformist in the kitchen (as I am in life in general). I like my music to be loud, honest, bold, passionate and spicy, and the same can be said about my food. So, my blogging reflects that.

Peeking into your life…what is a typical day of cooking and eating like for you? Generally, I don’t eat much during weekdays. As I am alone at home until the evening, I keep it simple and will have a salad or a soup. For dinner, I’ll prepare something more nourishing, but still quite humble. Then, around 9pm I’ll indulge in something sweet like a cake, a pudding or a dessert of some sort. As our budget is low, we can’t afford to eat luxurious meals or meat during the week, so I’ll cook modest, yet tasty vegetarian dishes from Monday to Friday. Then during the weekend, we’ll have a couple of bottles of good wine to accompany our gourmet meals. Whatever I make, I always try to use local, seasonal, healthy, non-industrial and quality ingredients. Everything I cook or bake is homemade, and I take pride in that.

So, if your curiousity has been piqued , please visit Correen's website. There you'll be able to read my answers to her questions...

Lonely Flower 1 2 bis

57 comments:

  1. Nice B&W photos- very striking. Loved getting to know you better via the interview!

    xo

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  2. I love b&White fotos and when I get together with my big brother we always treat ourselves to black and white movie night:)

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  3. Nice to know few things about you via interview..beautiful black and white pics..

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  4. Nice to know you better. Your fun & cheerful personality shines through your blog!!

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  5. Nice interview, Rosa!
    I know we bloggers deal mostly in color, but black and white makes you look at a photo in an entirely different manner. Less on the food and more on the composition. Good work with one of my favorite things...Vermont maple syrup!

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  6. That first shot has that bold rock 'n roll attitude. Very dramatic. Now I want pancakes for breakfast but I don't want to disturb that bottle - a dilemma. ; }

    For the record, shooting in color and then converting to B/W does preserve much more of the tonal range. (So you do have the professional perspective working for you. Shooting B/W film is an exception.)

    Thanks for joining Black and White Wednesday.

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  7. Loved the interview and getting to know you better. Your photos as always are gorgeous.

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  8. It's so much fun to get to know our food friends better. Love the idea of the black and white photos. I'm off to read more of your interview...
    Sam

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  9. Interesting interview and great photos.

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  10. I like the solid black of the backgrounds in these shots. And, great interview!

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  11. I live in the "liquid gold" country. It really is the best sugary taste. I think! ;-)

    Again, wonderful pictures... It is always a great pleasure to pass by. Thank you.

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  12. Your b&w click is just gorgeous Rosa!! :)

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  13. love the b&w shots, too cool..off to check out the rest of the interview!

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  14. aww those were great questions & answers. loved it!

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  15. Je ne fais jamais de noir et blanc, tu m'as donné envie de ma lancer!
    Bises...

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  16. Great interview! And I Love black & white photography...who knew something as simple as syrup could be so dramatic? Well done! :D

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  17. Wow! I truly like black and white photos. I think they are magical and mysterious.

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  18. Super job with the black and white, good choice of subject for a striking look

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  19. Nice interview to read. Happy B&W Wednesday! ;-)

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  20. beautiful pictures and a wonderful opportunity to peep into ur world!

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  21. Lovely photos! Off to read the interview in full ;-)

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  22. I don't think anyone would be mean to you about your photos - this black and white one is stunning! Very interesting interview too :)

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  23. Love this idea, Rosa! The second shot is my favorite. Black and white always makes photos so much more dramatic.

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  24. Very cool shots, Rosa! I love all of them. Regarding the black and white photos, I especially like the top one with the bottle blurred, but the wording readable. Somehow the blurred bottle top grabs me more. NIce job!

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  25. My mum <3 maple syrup and wants to start her own maple tree farm....

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  26. Great photos! I love it!

    http://foodfashionandflow.blogspot.com/

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  27. I love the look of the bw pictures. :)

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  28. Wonderful interview, it was nice to get to know you a little better!

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  29. Black and white is a good way to show the plasticity of things, more sculptural in my mind and the shots are interesting; so is the interview, it is fun to get to know more details on your daily life and thoughts.

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  30. WOW Rosa! I just finished reading your interview awesome answers! It's really nice to have the chance to know you better. By the way great black & white shot!

    Have a lovely week! =(^.^)=

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  31. Absolutely breathtaking shots, Rosa. Black and white is so powerful.

    A huge congrats on your interview! I love your attitude and outlook toward cooking.

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  32. superbe Rosa !!! magnifique !

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  33. effectivement, ca parait encore plus difficile de faire une photographie culinaire en noir et blanc - alors que ca passe tres bien pour les protraits par exemple. Question d'habitude sans doute - il faut se focaliser sur certains details a mettre en valeur, au lieu d'un ensemble colore. J'aime bien la seconde, la trace de sirop sur le bouchon.

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  34. lovely pics as always. a creative blog event

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  35. I love that photo! So clean and pure, like good maple syrup should be!

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  36. Ce sont de très belles photos !
    Très bonne après-midi,
    Bisous, Doria

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  37. Loving all these interviews of you lately!

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  38. So loving knowing about you Rosa..your words are as beautiful as your pictures. Love the last one!!
    Have a great rest of the week.

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  39. neat black and white photos! Off to check your interview!

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  40. i love colors, but there's no denying that black and white photos are stunning. nice work!

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  41. I learned about this event but got late. May be next week.. like the idea though :)

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  42. I believe you are a very lively person n fun to be around ~ great to know more about you Rosa..
    Black n white looks fab n almost mystic!
    US Masala

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  43. Oh-My-Word...breath-taking pics as always Rosa. And congrats on the interview--You're a true artist my friend!

    Hugs,

    Aldy.

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  44. congrats on the interview. love the b/w series and that maple syrup bottle. very bold. and i may have to print that flower pic!! may I? so glad to see your space again. I've been slammed! :) xo

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  45. wow...great clicks..
    great to know more about you Rosa..you are rocking..:)
    Tasty Appetite

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  46. When this music from your blog started I thought that it's coming from my laptop and that it's broken! :D

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  47. Très bonne après-midi en ce vendredi,
    Bisous, Doria

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  48. Very Good website. I like the contents. From www.rightbooks.in

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  49. The black and white is a fun twist! Very elegant :)

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  50. Oooh, I like the black and white pics. So classic looking. ;)

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