Saying a story with the Phone
There is a lot written about photography in general and more recently, iPhonography in particular (sorry Androiders; you have the better camera but nobody seems to bother!). Yet, a lot of this literature focuses on getting the shot and less to do with how to say different stories with the same photo. That is, post-processing.
A well shot photograph, that is technically accurate needs no massaging and perhaps, that is why, little is spoken about this part of the process, even though everybody does some amount of it withe every photograph. Still, a photo in a regular camera typically needs less processing and takes less processing.
Today, I sharing some tips and tricks I have picked up playing with my photos. Again, I think this is best with a human element in the image to create emotive effect. It is almost as if you can tell the subject mood, life story, thoughts by what you choose to highlight in the image.
Fresh Pea Spelt Tartine + Butternut Squash No-Knead Bread
A quick shout out to everyone who helped choose the cover image for this post. I had sent out a request to all email subscribers (if you aren't on the list, you can sign up on the right) last week to vote on whether they preferred the shot of this gorgeous boule on a dark background or light. Light was the overwhelming choice and here it graces the beginning of the post!! Thank you guys!
As you can imagine, for me the act of asking was more than just about this picture. It was as much to get an understanding of what you as readers were feeling, as also about learning to take feedback on my work. The truth is I preferred the dark one because of the high notes of contrast and how much it stood out. Also, I love pairing brown with black and just showing how glorious brown can be.
THE SPIRIT OF THE CANYON
The majestic red mountains. I had just summited them. I did not tame them, nay, I had simply monkeyed up and perched on top.
I had neither conquered nor had been conquered.
As I sat atop the ‘dune’ in bliss, from the physical effort of getting there, I felt the breeze caressing my face, my mind emptying and a strange stirring within, the beginning of a release. I cycled back downhill. Wings took shape. Where once they had been tied down by circumstances, they hesitantly spread out and I learnt to fly, once again.
The mountains speak to you, you’ll see, they said. The desert is a fountain of life, they said. Take a trip alone, they said. You will find yourself and come back with new understanding, they said.
Oat + Seed Strength Bars with Maple + Chocolate
There is science behind these bars. Maple syrup as sweetener is nature's very own nutritive element. The oats and seeds are high in protein and slow release of energy, not to forget the good fats. Goji berries for more anti-oxidant protection. And, then there is the inevitable chocolate. Let's face it; chocolate makes everything good for you!
Every diminutive bar packs the energy needed for a long day, a good workout or something to just keep you going while you hammer out yet another report on the current state of affairs at work. Every bit of that energy you need to run behind your toddler, deal with teenage troubles, listen empathetically to your significant other or friend, all while still trying to decompress from your own day.
The Streets of Asia Fish Curry
There is something about fish curry that is reminiscent of grassroots cuisine. Hailing from a coastal city in South of India, fish was not only common but the most affordable 'meat' as well. Even though it was a teeming metropolis, that even 15 years ago, exported much of its best catch from the sea, there was abundance enough to share with the domestic consumers.
Even today, fish sellers walk the streets in the city with the morning catch. Sometimes, walking through lesser affluent areas in the evening, you can see fish languishing on wooden boards, not iced, yet looking remarkably sprightly- the benefit of not being processed through multiple temperature zones. Flash freezing is a good compromise but nothing beats simply fresh. Tropical waters are indeed blessed with a variety that can only be dreamt about sitting in the North East with its Arctic currants. I haven't been to a fish market in India in 12 years but one day I hope to go back to those markets and take photos. Who knows? It may not be the same anymore and just be a glass and steel structure but somehow I doubt it. Fishing is too much of an economic activity for the poor to be that.