English Muffins - the follow up

[kitchenwench]

So, crouching down behind the dining table, I blacked out the lower half of the window to get light coming from behind and above which I think definitely helped with overall exposure, but alas! This meant that there was significantly less light in my shooting area and the large sheet of white cardboard that I'd picked up from the craft store to use to reflect light back to the front of the dish just didn't cut the mustard

Also visited the local op shop but couldn't find a dish that took my fancy, so ended up taking the shots using half a broken chopping board that I'm yet to throw out!





I liked the first image enough to use it as a lead in for the post, so ended up just putting up the recipe...having teased my readers with the knowledge that I was going to blog English muffins, the constant emails and tweets from them asking when it was going to be up got a bit much.

Thanks to everyone who helped out with advice and suggestions And the recipe is here, in case there's any avid cooks who'd like to give it a whirl http://www.insanitytheory.net/kitchenwench/english-muffin-magic/

[DebT]

MMM look delicious,
both goods but I prefer #2 becuase they just look plumper and more delicious (for some reason I want to turn the knife up the other way ???) .
Your last post started me thinking about 'doing' some of my own cooking and you really opened a can of worms as I am now browsing the bookshops and reading all the hints. Like you I have no intention of poisioning the subject just to get the shot so I am trying to get the light right. Came across an interesting book 'The Studio Photographers Lighting Bible" (Calvey Taylor-Haw) , and while there are probably millions on the market I liked it because it showed the result, discussed the technique and a provided diagram of the the lighting setup.
So thanks for the inspiraion. Thanks also for the sharing the receipe which I'll try it on the weekend.
DebT

[biggerry]

broken chopping board that I'm yet to throw out!

my first impression was the background was not a good choice for going with the backberry jam (the top view image anyway), if the food was all light coloured then it would be an excellent backdrop.

the first image is quite good, the items in the background feel very appropriate, however the knife could be oriented so the viewer is the consumer (this i think is applicable to both images) The exposure in teh first one is good and also brings out a bit more of the chopping board colour/light.

hth - and i am dirty at you now for making me hungry whilst at work

[Murray Foote]

..., but alas! This meant that there was significantly less light in my shooting area and the large sheet of white cardboard that I'd picked up from the craft store to use to reflect light back to the front of the dish just didn't cut the mustard

So I take it you used the knife for that instead, so that's mustard on the knife and under the jam on the scones.

Mmmm. Interesting culinary technique.

Regards,
Murray

[surenj]

Lovely second photo. Make me hungry.

[zafra52]

The second one seems more appealing because it is normally the way one would see the scene. However, I believe the first one is moe unusual and therefore more interesting to look at.

[biggerry]

Just having a look at your blog post, the image you used over there (englishmuffins21.jpg) is quite good imo , surprised you did not use it over here.

[aim54x]

Very nice, the second photo looks great. Can I get some of those muffins please??

[Grev]

One muffin = one cconstructive feedback.

quite fair.

[muzz]

I like the second one better also, maybe because it is more conventional but somehow the first one makes me feel like it's all falling off and I need to catch it! I also like the third of the series on your blog - perhaps better than these images here. I'm sure your readers will be happy to finally have the recipe, and photos that do it justice too - they look great.

[Glen]

The second is more appealing and appetising to me. If you find you have insufficient light, a tripod and using a longer exposure can help, often with a quick tweak in post processing. If you don't have a tripod, mount your camera on a bunch of books or whatever is lying around and use the timer for a steady shot (not perfect but better than blurry handheld when using longer exposure time).

[Alpha_7]

I have to say, slightly OT but, I've spent the last 40 minute going through your recipes and my stomach is rumbling, I'm definitely going to try some of them out as soon as I get to the shops to buy some ingredients. The blog is excellent, and the photos sell the food in my opinion, which is what they are there for.

[aim54x]

Very nice pictures in the blog post, I am going to have to bookmark your blog and start learning/trying some of you recipes once I get some more time.

[sirhc55]

The pics are much better Ellie

But I do question you recipe as not being a traditional English muffin.

Traditional muffins always use fresh yeast, plain flour, no sugar and are baked, that’s the way I do them. Frying is acceptable but rarely used in the UK. BTW I’m English

[kitchenwench]

DebT - You're right about the knife, when I was looking at the photos afterwards, I had the same urge but by then it was night and I was writing the post so just had to keep going Thanks for the book recommendation! I'll bear it in mind for when I actually have lighting that needs setting up and not just half a blocked window to work with

Bigerry - You're right, I really should've gone for a lighter jam! I admit that the guilty party was my hungry stomach, I made these in the morning and by the time they were done and I was doing the shooting, it was almost lunchtime If I can be bothered reshooting this then I might try with a raspberry or strawberry jam And thanks for the advice about the knife! It *was* pestering me during my pp, and once I read your comment, something clicked in my mind tank and I could understand WHY it was annoying me!

Surenj - Thanks hon

Zafra52 - I quite like the second image, but I felt the darkness of it from lack of reflected light to the front of the scene continues to annoy me, which is why (I think) I decided to go with the first one as my lead image. That, plus the fact that (as you said) the first one is more unusual and IMHO more eye-catching

Bigerry - lighting The front of the muffin being so dark and the top of the cream being so (over)exposed still upsets me Glad you like it though!

Aim54x - Since you're in Sydney, it might be a bit difficult to share mine You'll just have to make your own!

Grev - I don't think I can make enough muffins!!

Muzz - thanks! I would've liked the second and third images more as well...had the lighting not made me want to cry

Glen - I do have a tripod, but the problem was that increasing exposure meant the top of the muffins and cream became crazily overexposed...and while I love PP, I'm not quite skilled in things like blending exposures

Alpha_7 - Thanks for that comment, that is exactly what I'm wanting to do My blog is all about home cooking so while I want the photos to look great, I also want the entire shot to look like it was made and cooked in a personal kitchen...so your comment just made me feel like I'm on the right track!

Aim54x - I know what you mean about having time Sometimes I wish I had a nifty control that would slow it down just so I could get everything done that I need to each day!!