Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts

Friday, September 14, 2012

PHOTO GOURMANDE PAR MOUNI ABDELLI & EXERCISES IN FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY #5: ADDING SOME LIFE TO YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS

Ce monde fascinant a pourtant vite fait d'envahir votre quotidien, au point de changer votre manière de voir la nourriture...
Au bout d'un moment, vous ne verrez plus les aliments tels quels mais comme un mélange de couleurs, de formes et d'idées prêtes à être imprimées sur une photographie pour transmettre toutes ces complexes sensations...
- Mouna Abdelli 
 "Photo Gourmande: Conseils d'Une Blogueuse Culinaire" par Mouni Abdelli

Au printemps dernier, la talentueuse blogueuse, photographe autodidacte (elle travaille également pour l’agence Sucré-Salé) et pâtissière passionnée Mouni du blog français "RDV Aux Mignardises" a eu l'extrême gentillesse de me faire parvenir son premier livre entièrement dédié à la photographie numérique culinaire. Un geste qui me remplit de joie...

Bien enetendu, comme je suis un procrastinatrice notoire, il m'a fallu plusieurs mois avant de m'atteler à la tâche et enfin écrire une critique de son merveilleux ouvrage. Mais comme dit l'adage "mieux vaut tard que jamais", donc voici mes impressions!

Articulé en cinq chapitres*, "Photo Gourmande" (disponible aux Editions Eyrolles ou sur Amazon.fr) est un livret qui passe en revue les informations techniques et artistiques a maitriser afin que vous puissiez réaliser correctement vos photographies ainsi que les améliorer:
- Le premier vous aidera à bien comprendre les bases de la photo pour obtenir le meilleur de votre boitier numérique.
- Le second aborde le stylisme et la composition.
- Les chapitres 3 et 4 vous expliqueront les notions de lumières naturelles et artificielles et comment les utiliser.
- Le cinquième chapitre explique le post-traitement des fichiers.
Enfin, en annexe, vous découvrirez un chapitre bonus avec notamment la participation des 11 blogueurs gagnants du concours de photographie culinaire dont 5 y partagent leur propre expérience.

Un manuel complet que je conseille vivement aux gastronomes blogueurs et notamment aux photographes débutants qui désirent se familiariser avec les bases de le photographie de même qu'au amateurs moyennement éclairés qui veulent se perfectionner et aller plus loin dans leur démarche créative. Ce guide en format de poche très pratique est astucieux, riche en illustrations et truffé de conseils détaillés pour réussir vos images tel un pro tout en restant à la portée de tous. Parfait pour construire de bonnes bases, explorer l'univers de la capture de clichés gastronomiques et immortaliser ses meilleures plats! 

*Le Contenu:
NOTIONS DE BASE
Le bon matériel - Le « triangle d’exposition » - Les modes créatifs - À quoi sert la balance des blancs ? - Le format de fichier : JPEG ou RAW ?
LA DEMARCHE PHOTOGRAPHIQUE
La préparation de la scène - Composer - Chercher l’inspiration
GERER LA LUMIERE NATURELLE
Observer la lumière - La qualité de la lumière - Adoucir et diffuser
TENTER LA LUMIERE ARTIFICIELLE
Photographier au flash - Sous les projecteurs ! - Ampoules « lumière du jour » - Pas à pas : Fabriquer sa boîte à lumière
DEVELOPPER SES RAW
Chacun son logiciel - Logiciels de traitement des fichiers RAW - Développer simplement un fichier RAW - Et après ?
POUR FINIR...
Making of - Paroles de blogueurs - Pour se former et persévérer - 10 conseils

Apple Juice 1 4 bis
- Drinks On A Terrace -
(Taken with a 50mm f/1.4 lens at aperture f/5, shutterspeed 1/160s and ISO 200)

Exercises In Food Photography #5 - Adding Some Life To Your Photographs

After having intensely used my basic NIKKOR 18-55mm f/5.6 lens for the last 4 years, I decided to treat myself to a new one. Yes, as you can see, I finally bought a NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4 with my meager savings (once I hope I'll be able to upgrade my DSLR) and I'm really thrilled about my purchase!!!

Now, it follows me everywhere I go as it is a a killer prime lens which gives me the opportunity to take brighter and sharper pictures without being too tributary of the intensity of the light (more efficient in situations when natural or artificial luminescence is low). Perfect for food photography with shallow depth of field and for urban/landscape/travel sceneries as well as portraits.

As I need excercise, I thought that it would be a good idea to carry my camera with me when P. and I went our for a drink around the lakeside in Hermance. So, while we were enjoying our cold apple juice and ice tea on the terrace of the little camping site café, I used that setting for creating summery photos and incorporating my boyfriend into them.

I am still getting acquainted to my 50mm lens, but for a first try, the results were really satisfying and following that successful experience, I'm ready to shoot more staged food photography in the near future. I feel that we are going to have some fun time together!

Please note that this is my participation to"Exercises In Food Photography #5", an event created and hosted by Aparna at My Diverse Kitchen.

P 1 4 eyes bis
- P., Unwillingly Playing The Model And  Giving Me A Dirty Look -
(Taken with a 50mm f/1.4 lens at aperture f/5, shutterspeed 1/160s and ISO 200)

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

BLACK AND WHITE WEDNESDAY #50 - TREATS

Meringues 1 8 bis

Amarula 2 5 bis
- Happy Hour: Liqueur & Peanuts -

Both pictures were submitted to "Black & White Wednesday", an event created by Susan at "The Well-Seasoned Cook". It will be hosted on the 19th of September by Haloo of "Cook Almost Anything" (click here in order to see who is hosting the next roundup).

* Not homemade, this time. They come from Gruyère (not the cheese, but the district).

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

BLACK AND WHITE WEDNESDAY #49 - SEPTEMBER LOVE

Props 1 7 bis
- Pretty Props -*
- Wild Blackberry -

Both pictures were submitted to "Black & White Wednesday", an event created by Susan at "The Well-Seasoned Cook". It will be hosted on the 12th of September by herself (click here in order to see who is hosting the next roundup).

* Tea light holder (I use it as verrine) and vintage English horse brass (a traditional pub decoration).

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

BLACK AND WHITE WEDNESDAY #48 - BALCONY FUN

Beer 1 5bis bis
- Beer Time -

Bibi August 2012 5 bis
- Blogger's Reflection -*

The first picture was submitted to "Black & White Wednesday", an event created by Susan at "The Well-Seasoned Cook". It will be hosted on the 5th of September by Anusha at "Tomato Blues" (click here in order to see who is hosting the next roundup).

* Dressed in home clothes...

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

BLACK AND WHITE WEDNESDAY #46 - PLEASURE: APPROVED OR PROHIBITED?

Sea Island Coffee 1 8 bis
- Turkish Delight -

- Forbidden -

The first picture was submitted to "Black & White Wednesday", an event created by Susan at "The Well-Seasoned Cook". It will be hosted on the 22nd of August by herself (click here in order to see who is hosting the next roundup).

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

BLACK AND WHITE WEDNESDAY #45 - 7 YEARS ALREADY...

Lakeside 6 7 bis
- Geneva Harbour -

Tang Zhong Brioche 5 5 bis
- Ready For Shaping -

The last picture was submitted to "Black & White Wednesday", an event created by Susan at " The Well-Seasoned Cook". It will be hosted on the 15th of August by Claire at "Chez Cayenne" (click here in order to see who is hosting the next roundup).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today, my blog is celebrating its 7th year of existence! Time sure passes extremely fast and it feels like I just started blogging yesterday when in fact, I nervously pressed the submit button for the very first time 2555 days ago...

On this very special occasion, I wish to thank all of you occasional as well as faithful readers and friends for following and encouraging me. Your kind words as well as heartwarming compliments are always welcome as they enlighten my life, reassure me and give me the energy to stay the course and continue sharing with you my passion for the culinary world, the art of photography and wordcraft.


When I lose all confidence and I am ready to give up, you never fail to give me a reason to hold on and surpass myself. Just like a good chief conductor, you know how to guide me and keep me on track. My blog's symphony is ochestrated by the cheerful tip-tapping of your fingers on the keyboard and the gentle click of your mouse!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

BLACK AND WHITE WEDNESDAY #44 - THE PAST STILL LIVES ON

Lakeside 5 8 bis
- Anachronic -

Tang Zhong Brioche 9 6 bis
- Revival Of An Old Breadmaking Method -

Both pictures were submitted to "Black & White Wednesday", an event created by Susan at "The Well-Seasoned Cook". It will be hosted on the 8th of August by Kavitha at "Divine Food And Art" (click here in order to see who is hosting the next roundup).

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

BLACK AND WHITE WEDNESDAY #43 - BACK TO THE BASICS

Whisk 6 bis
- Whisk It Good! -

Courgette - Zucchini Salad 1 7 bis
- Refinement In Rusticity -

Both pictures were submitted to "Black & White Wednesday", an event created by Susan at "The Well-Seasoned Cook". It will be hosted on the 1st of August by Simona at "Briciole" (click here in order to see who is hosting the next roundup).

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

BLACK AND WHITE WEDNESDAY #42 - PERFECT FOR A HIKE

Train Zweisimmen 1 4  bis
- A Mountain Train Station (Zweisimmen, Berner Oberland) -
 
- Tiny, Yet Powerful -

The second picture was submitted to "Black & White Wednesday", an event created by Susan at "The Well-Seasoned Cook". It will be hosted on the 25th of July by Roma at "Roma's Space" (click here in order to see who is hosting the next roundup).

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

BLACK AND WHITE WEDNESDAY #41 - TURN THE NEGATIVES INTO POSITIVES

Seagul skull 1 10 bis
- Beauty In Death -

Strawberry Cake 5 9 bis
- Success Through Failure -
 
The second picture was submitted to "Black & White Wednesday", an event created by Susan at "The Well-Seasoned Cook". It will be hosted on the 18th of July by Lynne at "Cafe Lynnylu" (click here in order to see who is hosting the next roundup).

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

BLACK AND WHITE WEDNESDAY #40 - TO BARBARA

- Sadly, Our Paths Separate Here -

Empty-handed I entered
the world
Barefoot I leave it.
My coming, my going —
Two simple happenings
That got entangled.
Like dew drops
on a lotus leaf
I vanished
- Kozan Ichikyo

Farewell, dear Friend!
You battled cancer like a champion and left an indelebile mark on the international food blogger scene.
You will never be forgotten...

Barbara Harris was the lovely foodie behind the blog "Winos And foodies" and lived in Brisbane, Australia. She passed away on the 30th of June 2012.

- Plentiful -
The second picture was submitted to "Black & White Wednesday", an event created by Susan at "The Well-Seasoned Cook". It will be hosted on the 11th of June by Anusha at "Tomato Blues" (click here in order to see who is hosting the next roundup).

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

BLACK AND WHITE WEDNESDAY #39 - SIMPLICITY

Borlotti 1 2 bis
- Rive Farmers Market, Geneva -

Bibi June 2012 bis 4 bis
- Reflection (Au Naturel Self-Portrait) -

The first picture was submitted to "Black & White Wednesday", an event created by Susan at "The Well-Seasoned Cook". It will be hosted on the 4th of July by her (click here in order to see who is hosting the next roundup).

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

BLACK AND WHITE WEDNESDAY #38 - SIMPLE THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

Flavored Salt 5 5 bis
- Mineral Magic -

Cow 1 7 bis
- Che Bellissima! -

Both pictures were submitted to "Black & White Wednesday", an event created by Susan at "The Well-Seasoned Cook". It will be hosted on the 27th of June by Usha at "My Spicy Kitchen" (click here in order to see who is hosting the next roundup).

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

BLACK AND WHITE WEDNESDAY #37 - COUNTRYSIDE WONDERS

Cows 2 6 bis
- Geneva Cows -

Tea Cake 5 4 bis
- A Taste Of The Past -

Both pictures were submitted to "Black & White Wednesday", an event created by Susan at "The Well-Seasoned Cook". It will be hosted on the 20th of June by Aparna at "My Diverse Kitchen" (click here in order to see who is hosting the next roundup).

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

BLACK AND WHITE WEDNESDAY #36 - OSCILLATING BETWEEN SUMMER & WINTER

 - A Bench With A View -

- A Bowl Of Comfort -

The soup picture was submitted to "Black & White Wednesday", an event created by Susan at "The Well-Seasoned Cook". It will be hosted on the 13th of June by Cinzia at "Cindystar" (click here in order to see who is hosting the next roundup).

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

BLACK AND WHITE WEDNESDAY #35 - SMALL THINGS, BIG PLEASURE

Quick Butterhorns 5 7 bis
- Irresistible -

Wheat 1 5 bis
- Waiting For The Harvest -

Both pictures were submitted to "Black & White Wednesday", an event created by Susan at "The Well-Seasoned Cook". It will be hosted on the 6th of June by Sihi at "A Wandering Ladle" (click here in order to see who is hosting the next roundup).

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

BLACK AND WHITE WEDNESDAY #34 - ENJOYING LIFE

Vineyard 5 5 bis
- A Walk Through The Vineyards -
Quick Butterhorns 10 1 bis
- Afternoon Snack -
Both pictures were submitted to "Black & White Wednesday", an event created by Susan at "The Well-Seasoned Cook". It will be hosted on the 30th of May by Sra at "When My Soup Came Alive" (click here in order to see who is hosting the next roundup).

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

BLACK AND WHITE WEDNESDAY #32 - MAY'S SIMPLE PLEASURES

- Secretive Path -

- Gorged With Sun -

The last picture was submitted to "Black & White Wednesday", an event created by Susan at "The Well-Seasoned Cook". It will be hosted on the 16th of May by Simona at "Briciole" (click here in order to see who is hosting the next roundup).

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

BLACK & WHITE WEDNESDAY #31 - MONOCHROMIC BEAUTY

Tahinomelo 3 7 bis
- Vintage Snack - 
 
- Waiting For Re-Growth -

The last picture was submitted to "Black & White Wednesday", an event created by Susan at "The Well-Seasoned Cook". It will be hosted on the 9th of May by Siri at "Cooking With Siri" (click here in order to see who is hosting the next roundup).