Lucullian delights
One thing that always makes me smile is the sheer number of dishes and plates etc that you use as props - exactly how big are your kitchen cupboards? I still remain in awe of the works I see on a regular basis from other blog links, but they always give me the inspiration to try something new.
Love that purple olive! Thanks for the tips, Ilva!
So generous to share this, Ilva! You do a great job at photography.
Hi Ilva ~ It's lovely to hear that you 'feel' the photos as much as 'see' them. This is a great post to return to ... I especially love that your outside photos happen atop the recycling bin! It just goes to show that you don't need a perfect setting to take lovely photos, just as you don't need a perfect kitchen to create delicious food. A good lesson! I also like the idea of finding/creating your own style. Many thanks for this inspiration ...
All good advice, sounds like. I have a ridiculous and ever-growing collection of small plates for my food photography, none of which match. At this point, even my partner's mother is always keeping an eye out for small plates she can give me to use as props.
Great tips - your photography always leaves me awed, and it's nice of you to share some of how you take those amazing shots!
You give excellent advice here. I especially like the be alone and unhurried. With food some big part of it is getting my eyes and head to really see what's there not just what I'm looking at.
The first two pictures are beautifully amazing but the last one is the kicker! Wow. Really have to have the macro...
Thank You Ilva!
brilliant! I really admire your pictures, your style and your dishes. Well done! Thanks for the tips. I think everyone could find them useful. I am still trying to learn and sometimes I take some seriously bad shots! but it all comes with experience!
Speak to u soon!
Re
Ah, it is the season of the olive again. Beautiful, glistening -- with the touch of thyme. Wish I were there to be around the harvest.
hi ilva!
i've been reading your blog for a couple of months, now.
I just want to say that i really appreciate your "production", both dishes and pictures. What really makes your blog different is the genuine approach to food and recipes far from the stylish foodblogs around.
Thanks a lot for the inspiration.
Thanks a lot for the pictures of my beloved Tuscany.
You're one of my favourite food photographers so thanks for all the advice but one thing I'm not sure how to do is backgrounds like the one in your fava bean picture. Do you just put down something green to cover the surface you're putting the plate on and then take the picture?
Sorry if I didn't explain myself very clearly.
Feelings! thats it! That is what I try to do too.. rely on the feelings. When I am out walking or riding I prefer to take photos alone...
:o)
Oh, Ilva those photos are spectacular! Each one more surprising than the previous one. That olive looks like a jewel.
Thank you for the tips, it was very kind of you to do that.
I am trying to avoid buying a new digital, but I am not very happy with the macro on mine - I can't get any closer than 12 inches (about 30cm).
Roo-I have far too many dishes and far to little space. But I keep on collecting them...
Pene-you're welcome!
Aagje-Thanks!
Alanna-I'm happy if you find something useful in it! I improvise a lot of things in my life, including my photo studio!
Danielle-oh you are so lucky! No one here understands this need!
Ellie-Thansk, nice of you to say so!
Tanna-Thanks! Maybe the 'alone and unhurried' bit is because i want my pics to give peace of mind to the viewer.
maiale ubriaco- Thanks, too kind! And sometimes I take really bad pics too, I think that it depends on the mood. Or the lack of concentration!
kudzu-yes, they are harvetsing all over now!
querria-Thanks, your words really make me happy! And inspired! Better get out in the kitchen...
Eryn-Thanks! As to the backgrounds, I have a lot of sheets of paper that I use, some are patterned and some are just coloured. You can use fabrics as well.
Simon- The only one who stands my photography in this family is our dog! He's so good, when he sees that I'm taking out the camera he stands still untill I have finished. And he never complains or is embarassed like my children...
anna-maria-I wouldn't call that macro, are you sure there isn't a real macro mode on it? And thanks!
Thanks for sharing your tips on photograhy.
Ilva,
thank you for sharing your knowledge! Agree with you, asides of all the technical aspect, do spare some time in thinking (concentration), beauty will come out like magic!
Ciao Ilva! I'm so glad you shared with us - I felt stupid for asking you so many months ago...I was the second commenter yesterday and unfortunately the browser hung and I wasn't sure if it went through or not and couldn't check again.
I get so inspired by your pics and I've been studying them for techniques as well and have discovered a few of your tips "on accident"....I look forward to growing!
Krista-thanks!
gattina-the power of the mind...
Sara-I'm the one who should feel stupid who hasn't done what I promised until now but then others have asked me as well and I started to think a lot and it got too serious...But finally I just sat down and did it and I'm happy i did as I realized a lot of things myself!
Excellent Ilva!
That olive is fantastic. And I'd love to know how you got this olive green backdrop on yr comments as well...?
Conscientious and meditative. Burdensome to be both but a blessing for the audience. Thanks for this post.
Thank you for the post. I'm sure that I'll re-read it occasionally to help me focus. And that last photo with the olives is just so beautiful. I could have that blown up and used as a mural in my kitchen.
I didn't see this post and I'm so happy I read it!!!
Thanks a lot, expecially for the "concentration" tip: you are absolutely right!
Baci
Parisbreakfasts-thanks! about the background here, I just chose it! With Halsocan you can customize like this.
eszter-thanks!
dawn-Thanks! So nive to hear1
Pip-baci a te carissima!
Thank you so much for this, Ilva!! Your post was very interesting! I think my biggest problem (at least now in winter) is lighting. It's dark by the time I even start cooking so I cannot use natural light, at least not during the week. Also, I always shoot the food right before eating it so I don't want to spend too mucht time. But I'll definitely try the macro mode today - I didn't know about that!
you are a miracle
Ilva:
what a wonderful site. You write about food as passionately as you photograph it (or is that the other way around?)
My readers will love it.
Thanks! You are all three too nice! But I obviously absorb every word!
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