Canon 5D Mark II, 85mm F/1.2, f/2.8, 1/40, iso 1600
It's not often we get invited over to someone's house for a home cooked meal, let alone a really special menu and evening. One of my goals as I get older is to cultivate more friends that enjoy cooking and getting together. And I know I need to do more of it too - I could certainly step up and have more people over. You know that thing about being "too busy." Well, then all of a sudden it is years later, or too late.
So this post is dedicated to some special people and the special evening they created. Click on the continue link for several more pictures of the evening.
Canon 5D Mark II, 85mm F/1.2, f/2.8, 1/40, iso 1600
I did have my camera in the car. But I didn't really think I'd be breaking it out. I don't want all my friends to think whenever we get together I'll be firing up all my gear and turning their deal into a photo shoot, you know?
But then I saw these duck breasts go into the pan. Visions of a career shooting for Bon Appetit came to mind. I really enjoy my food photography. So I asked my hostess if she would mind "of course not Bob!" was the reply.
So I radioed my crew to bring in the light stands, the softboxes, umbrellas, gels, you know, all the stuff you gotta have for a proper food shoot! Naw, just me, the trusty 85mm, whatever lighting was there, and Lightroom later to make it look right.
We were being treated to this wonderful evening because I had surprised Ellen and Dave with this family portrait canvas for Christmas. I'm having a lot of fun doing little nice things for people, just because I can. Like my experience with volunteer work, somehow you always get back more than you put out.
I have always said one of my biggest photographic thrills is having my work hanging on someone's wall. Having it be a family portrait, rather than a landscape, moved up a notch on my thrill-o-meter.
The main course was being plated after we took a short break from our first and second courses. First was a salad with poached pears and warm goat cheese. Homemade yeast rolls. Beautiful Savignon Blanc that paired wonderfully. Then a "palate cleansing" sorbet. Yumm. Haven't had that for years.
Watching my friends in the kitchen, everyone just living in the moment. Reminded of some posts like this one from my friend Puna, who does such a great job documenting her great events.
Canon 5D Mark II, 35mm F/2.0, f/2.8, 1/20, iso 1600
Very elegant, isn't it. Absolutely delicious. As they say (even if you are a good cook), it's always better when someone else makes it. I savored the meal, the planning and work that went into it, and the friendship.
You know how I have a thing for crystal. This one has been in their family for many decades. Presided over hundreds of dinners like this one, I presume. I'm crazy about that kind of family history.
Homemade pomegranate jam, for the sweet potato rolls. My grandma from the south would just be in heaven. Well, I guess she is already. But anyway.
Canon 5D Mark II, 35mm F/2.0, f/3.2, 1/20, iso 3200
Like I said, it wouldn't be my style to just sit there and take pictures of everyone. That's not in the spirit of the evening. I took some shots blindly with my camera sitting on the table for stabilization. I love this one. Captured the night right there. What a hostess. I also enjoyed how well the hostess and host complemented each other with the cooking, serving, the food / wine. So at ease. Not many couples can pull this off. I told them I was inspired.
My good friend Steve. Bringer of so many great things in my life (I know that is lousy grammar, but it's my blog so let it be). I appreciate our friendship!
Canon 5D Mark II, 35mm F/2.0, f/3.2, 1/20, iso 1600
And so by dessert time I knew, and I'm sure you knew too, some killer dessert was on the way. Gorgeous triple layer concoction, that had been in the freezer when we got there. I didn't ask her the name. Sort of a parfait cake. Not too heavy, which was great. How many people cook like this? Sadly, not many.
I'm thankful for my friendships, thankful for those who are continuing the art of cooking and entertaining. Thankful for such a positive and fun end to an emotionally draining day. Really, just what I needed, and more than I could have expected. And since this is a photo blog first of all, I'm thankful for the amazing high ISO 5D2 body and my fast prime lenses. Life is good on so many fronts.
Thanks for indulging my sharing of the evening, a break from my attempts at fine art photography. I hope it is enjoyable for you, my readers, and maybe a bit of inspiration like it is for me.
