Monday, February 02, 2015

Just Keep Shooting

When I visit others' blogs, I'm always impressed with how beautiful their presentations are….the photos….and how well written too.
I don't know about you, but there are just some weeks when I'm not terribly inspired to do a shoot.  The weather is cold and overcast or  it's just plain winter!!  I should not
complain knowing how a lot of the country is buried under snow and ice.  Here I sit in beautiful sunny (not always) California.
I took almost 50 shots of this subject and had only a couple maybe sort of worth working with.  I had to laugh at some of the shots.  The chocolate looked like little turds….nothing picturesque
at all.  This is the final result.  I know I just need to keep shooting. 
I applied Kim's "Grunged" preset.
After looking at my edit, I decided I wasn't happy with the blown out highlights and went back to Lightroom and used the radial filter.  A little better…. 
This mug is one of my favorites.  I got it at a restaurant in Chicago….called, oddly enough, "Scoozi".  The cup must be 25 or 30 years old.  I wonder if "Scoozi" is still there.  We had a delightful dinner there one evening.  It had one of the biggest bars I've ever seen.  
I'm linking up with Texture Tuesday over at Kim's and also with Be Still 52. I used Kim's "Distressed Wood" texture.  I liked the texture it added to the backdrop and the base under the composition (in first shot).  I think the radial filter did away with most of that 
wood texture in the second shot. 
Here's to lots of joy in your life!

Kim Klassen dot com
~ Give ~


23 comments:

elizabeth said...

I'm a softie for any food or kitchen type photo. Love this.

jacki long said...

Really nice work, Marilyn!
Seems so long since I've seen you.
But look forward to next Wednesday;o)

Kim Stevens said...

Oh you made me laugh at your turd comment....I definitely wasn't thinking that when I saw the pic. :)

The lighting is beautiful, don't sell yourself short. But I do know you mean, because there are some days I think "what am I doing" when nothing turns out quite right.

Barbara said...

Gorgeous still life and oh my that cup it is just the cutest.

Roxanne said...

I know just how you feel!! I have blog envy as I'm not a very inspired writer and I'm really glad that I don't have a film camera as I'd go broke buying film trying to get one ok shot!!
However, I love your shots--they are so warm and so beautifully composed.

aenee said...

Great shots, love the chocolate tones :)
Lily over from TT

Barb said...

Hi Marilyn, your image is so pretty - I love the edgy feel to it ... and no the chocolate does not look like little turds lol!

Roxi H said...

Marilyn, I just had to say that your linky thumbnail grabbed my attention right away. So I'd say this was awesome! Sorry most of your chocolate chunks looks inedible on the other shots. LOL I'll have to keep that in mind when I shoot chocolate. Again, these are great.

EarlK said...

Wonderful. I like the composition with the eye following along the fabric to the cup down around the book to the chocolate. I Googled Scoozi and I believe it closed in August 2014. Biut you have your cup and memories.

Buckeroomama said...

I actually thought that the broken chocolate was a nice touch. :)

Carola Bartz said...

I have those uninspiring days a lot - it seems to suck out the energy. Sometimes it's good to still shoot, but if it doesn't work then I just leave it and do something else instead. I like your chocolate shot, the first one a little bit better.

abrianna said...

I like the shot and yes the radial filter did get rid of the background and wood texture, but it all depends on what you are going for. Adding the filter does give that creamy bokeh look.

Food is one of the hardest things to shoot. My shot is framed the way it is because there was too much clutter on the counter I did not want in the shot.

Anonymous said...

We keep at it.. I really like your result!

Bonny Bonafilla said...

Great shots! They've got a really urban feel to them. Maybe it's the graffiti Scoozi mug. Great prop! Envying your Californian sunshine here in freezing London! All the best, Bonny

Leovi said...

Yes, wonderful design with beautiful atmosphere, I love chocolate!

Jeanne said...

So enjoyed visiting your blog and think t hat you came out with a lovely shot! Isn't digital wonderful.... no more buying 50 shots of film, with 49 of them being something to throw out. what you ended up with is just lovely. thanks also for stopping by my blog and commenting. Hope your day is wonderful!

Michelle B said...

I know how you feel, sometimes I feel like I can't take a good picture if my life depended on it. :) I had to laugh at your comment on your chocolate looking like 'turds'. I think your shots turned out great, love the mug.

Anonymous said...

Totally get it about the overcast weather. Blah! I'm ready for spring!!!

I like what you created!

Nancy said...

I love your humor....love it when you can include something special in a shot like your cup. I know about those kind of days where shooting seems a burden but you ended up with a great shot...

Sylvia said...

I think these images turned out great, Marilyn !
Love the tones and the chocolate looks so delicious ! :-)
Have a nice evening,
Sylvia

cheryl Crotty said...

The photo's here are beautiful and your mug sure has held up well...I like the grunge pre-set...it works well here...and both photo's look great to me....
Very nicely done.

Prairie Jill said...

Any shot that involves chocolate is fine by me! (And you get to eat the chocolate afterwards.)

cathy @ma vie trouvee said...

trust me - we all go through LOTS of photos to get that one good enough to post! and you got this one just right!!