I'll spare you the rest of my moment-by-moment thoughts and cut to the highlights of what turned out to be an awesome, fun-filled, confidence building class.


I do suggest any of these:
1) Reading Helene's site, and doing her workshop at your earliest chance,
2) Taking a Food Styling/Photography workshop with the extremely talented Food Fanatics, Matt Armendariz and Adam C Pearson.
3) Reading/Watching the photo tutorials of these wonderfully talented people who explain it very well, even online: Diane and Todd of White On Rice.
After a very well put together DVD of Helene's work with her narrating and explaining how she got these shots, where the light source came from, how she reflected it back when she back-lit subjects, and the importance of asking yourself, "what do you want to say with this shot?", I was feeling taken care of. I had that feeling you get only when the teacher's spirit lets you know you are in a safe place to fail, to ask questions and to grow.
Each student began setting up their space with napkins and food props (things we brought with us to practice on) and Helen would circulate, giving undivided attention to each person's ideas. Then, she would give advice without changing the concept, but giving it focus and strength.
The ideas that I came away with included: Colors pop better with the inclusion of shadows, design ideas should include the movement you want the viewers eyes to follow, don't waste space - even the negative space should be with purpose, when shooting from above - everything is on the same plane so try shooting at 22 without so much fear, think outside the over-used 1.8 aperture used in a lot of food photos if your subject needs to offer more.
For my practice shooting, I brought a small bag of limes. I wanted to learn how to shoot in shadow, when the subject matter is not just one nice piece of cake, but a series of orbs or angles.
Helen had me cut the limes into segments, showing their moisture, their inside life and action. For a few minutes I was a photography partner with Tartelette (heh heh.) I left hugging my camera and feeling proud to own it, wanting to study and practice and, as Helene recommended: Shoot, shoot, shoot, it's the only way to really learn.
Since the workshop I have been on a Macaron flavor obsession. My latest are these:
Blueberry Macarons w/Lemon Curd
(the blueberries are oven dried, then ground to a flavorful dust)
*I followed the Macaron recipe ingredients and directions found on Tartelette's site, HERE, except I added 2 heaping Tablespoons of the oven dried blueberry dust to my powdered sugar and almond flour when pulsing it together.
*I also added a dash of powdered blue coloring to accent the blueberry flecks.
*The Blueberries were dried in a 200F oven for 2 hours, cooled, and ground in a coffee grinder to a dust.




LEMON CURD recipe:
(this is an easy basic recipe I used at CSCA)
1 cups sugar
3 egg yolks
3 lemon (juice and zest)
3 oz. butter cubed
Over a double boiler, with water at a simmer, whisk together the sugar, yolks, juice, and zest until it covers the back of a spoon and has thickened.
Remove from heat and beat in butter a little at a time til creamy - if any lumps, put through a sieve or chinois.
Chill before using.
(the blueberries are oven dried, then ground to a flavorful dust)
*I also added a dash of powdered blue coloring to accent the blueberry flecks.
*The Blueberries were dried in a 200F oven for 2 hours, cooled, and ground in a coffee grinder to a dust.
LEMON CURD recipe:
(this is an easy basic recipe I used at CSCA)
1 cups sugar
3 egg yolks
3 lemon (juice and zest)
3 oz. butter cubed
Over a double boiler, with water at a simmer, whisk together the sugar, yolks, juice, and zest until it covers the back of a spoon and has thickened.
Remove from heat and beat in butter a little at a time til creamy - if any lumps, put through a sieve or chinois.
Chill before using.
Thanks, as always, for stopping by.
14 comments:
What a fun event!I love the photos you took and the serious expression on their faces while they are making adjustments on their camera
My friend follows your blog and now I'm so glad I stopped in! I love to photograph food and need to learn more about it as well. I have a Canon like a lot of the other photographers in your class. Thanks for sharing your settings, etc!
How fun! I love Helen, she is great and it seems like you learned a lot!
I greatly envy you for having Helene's photograph workshop!
As for the macarons - I haven't succeeded with them yet but I keep experimenting.
However, yours look absolutely gorgeous!!!
Thank you for sharing :)
Oh my goodness those macs look incredible!
The color is so beautiful!
I need to play about with my camera more too!
So fun to read about your experience and your gorgeous macaron flavors!! You've really inspired me to dry out fresh fruits/vegs now for a host of flavors. Is it really that easy?
And take heart with the camera bit - I've been there and it's a steep learning curve, but you're moving right along! :)
Ooh lucky you to be there and get some tips from the Queen of Macarons. Yours by the way look gorgeous. Love the brilliant blue colour and the flavours as well.
Great to read your take on Helene's class. Thanks for the recap! See you at Food Blog Forum?
The color of your macarons is sublime!
Alisa - I know, right? We were all SO intense.
Anon - Thx! I'm learning a little at a time. Hope yours goes well.
Kelsey - Thx for stopping by. It was a blast.
Chococo - Thx. Try it: Helen's recipe is great. Check out my other post if ya need the details.
Bowl of Mush - Thanks! and your's always look good.
Danielle - Thanks for stopping by, and let me know if you try the fruits. It takes a while, but not too hard. Thanks for the encouragement, too. I'm trying hard.
Jo - So sweet, Thanks. I'm learning to do more vibrant colors.
Donna - Thank you for stopping by, wish I'd seen you sooner at the forum. I'm so enjoying tweeting with you.
Emi - Thank you so much. I love so many of your choices on your blog.
What a great experience! I would love to watch that DVD and learn a few things! She is a master of light indeed.
I am so jealous of you and a bit ashamed to call myself a photographer.
those macarons look AMAZING!
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