Month 6
First of all, I have learned (or have remembered) how much I enjoy writing. I totally forgot, in all the hustle and bustle of family life!
I have learned many techy-tricks that a computer misfit like myself, never thought possible.
I have learned that blogging is just as much about making friends as it is about sharing recipes!
And I've learned that no matter how great your recipes are, PEOPLE WILL NOT TRY THEM IF THE PICTURES ARE TERRIBLE!
I have to admit, I had very little photography experience before I started blogging. Mmm...actually none. I thought to myself, "This will be easy! I'll just cook dinner, snap a couple pictures and Voila!" Oh, had I only known!
The more I learn about photography the more I enjoy it. Please understand...I still know VERY LITTLE. I'm probably not the person you want to ask about technique and equipment. But just like anything else, practice makes perfect...or in my case practice makes better! I still have a rough photo shoot every few weeks, but I can look to the future and anticipate great things. Can't wait to see how my photos look this time next year!
Here are a few post links from the first couple months that I find quite comical. I promise you, they are GREAT recipes. But the photos are sad little snaps, with bad lighting and no thought of set up whatsoever! I hope you'll still take a look at them!
Thanks friends, for your support and patience!
Sommer
Mo's Hungarian Chicken Paprikas
Mini Meatloaves and Mashed Cauliflower
Check out the "Recipe Box" in the sidebar for many more recipes...most with better photos!
Congrats on the 6 month mark! It is amazing to see the evolution of photos, blogs...that tomato is rockin.'
ReplyDeleteWow! Honestly, you HAVE come a long way, baby ;) As I think, most of us anyway, have. I think I would be cringing big time if I went back to my own archives.....hmmm, better not, I think *yikes*
ReplyDeleteThanks for the trip back, you are a very brave and honest blogger :)
Congratulations on the 6 month mark!
ReplyDeleteActually both of our blogs are of almost same age :-)
Just discovered your blog on foodblogs.com and couldn't resist looking.. n BTW I totally agree with the 'people don't care abt the recipe if the photo is not pretty enough' part. Been thr done that!
Happy blogging!
I can't believe your blog has evolved so much in 6 months, your photographs are an inspiration and I always look forward to your new posts, congratulations and here's to the next 6 months!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteIn just 6 months your blog and the photography have evolved so much! I must say that you have a talent!
I love that stacked tomato salad and that mini meatloaf! Sensational.
Yay for 6 months of blogging, I can't wait to see the next 6 months!!! :D
ReplyDeleteI am new to blogging and I am still trying to figure out tips, and photography is no exception. Do you have tips any tips on cameras, lighting, etc? I only have a point and shoot camera, and can only take pictures in the day light in my patio or else my food looks awful :( And if it's a gloomy day in Seattle, then pics are not so great (which will be pretty often in a few months).
ReplyDeleteAny tips would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Congrats on the 6 month mark! You should be a very proud blogger. I love visiting your blog its down-to-earth and real. All your recipes are so approachable and make me want to get in the kitchen and cook up something delicious no matter how exhausted I may feel ;-)
ReplyDeleteSommer - you are my inspiration. KOB - Keep on blogging!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 6 months. I am photography-challenged and tend to quickly shoot before dinner goes on the table. I have a hungry, impatient famly!
ReplyDeletecongrats !
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 6 months, It's amazing how things change in 6 months, when I started I had no clue about light or settings. The biggest lesson for me was that nothing can be compared to use natural light. I love your tomato and ricotta picture.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are good. We want your recipes :-). Congratulations on your 6 month mark. Lots of bloggers never make it that far. I hope the day treats you well. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 6 months! I have only had my blog for about 6 weeks and feel like I learn something new with every post. I feel like the baking and writing come easily, but the photography is definitely what I struggle with the most!
ReplyDeleteYou are a superstar, Sommer! I've loved following your photo progression and have known since the very beginning that you have a very special warmth in your writing that makes every post inviting and fun to read - and your recipes are out of this world. I'm so happy people have access to your creativity - it is incredible! ( : XO
ReplyDeleteI just passed my 3-year mark and you are so right about what blogging provides with learning and making friends. I've resisted deleting my older photos because I want the reminder about what I've learned along the way (and still learning!) The flank steak medallions look so fabulous. I know they'd be scarfed down at dinnertime at my house. :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent recipes thanks for sharing. Feel free to stop by my blog for more delicious recipes for everyone to enjoy
ReplyDeleteYou have come so far, Sommer! Congrats on the six month mark. I just bought a good camera a week ago and am still figuring out how everything works. Next, have to set up a "studio." It's been fun to learn about blogging and I'm so enjoying getting to know everyone. Your recipes are fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Everyone~
ReplyDeleteYou are all so encouraging! But I must say, many friends have given me help along the way. Anna is right! The most helpful tip I ever got came from my dear friend Laura at darkredcrema.com--always go with natural light, NOT your camera flash!
I don't get photography either. Some of my friends gave me pointers. Pat yourself on the back, you have been taking good shots!
ReplyDeleteSommer...you are right...for most people it usually is the photo that invites them in. For myself...I'm incredibly visual. The ingredients alone will tell me if I want to stay or not.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your 6 months of blogging frustrations and ultimately enjoyments.
BTW...I just finished my 7th month...we're not so far apart in our learning curve ;o))
Ciao for now and flavourful wishes,
Claudia
I love looking at the progression of people's photography skills. Yours have improved so much! Congrats on six months worth of awesome posts and recipes :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you've made great progress! I have found blogging to be quite the adventure and really a great learning experience. Happy 6 months Blogaversary.
ReplyDeleteIn six months you've outdone me! Your photos are gorgeous! I've been blogging for two years and still struggle. I have bad shoots all the time. And you are so right - it is about more than the food - food bloggers are the sweetest group of people and I've made a ton of friends. Happy six months! I look forward to reading six more.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 6 months! I am still working on my photo skills. Sometimes I nail it, sometimes...not so much!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your 6 month mark! You photos are gorgeous. My blog is just a teeny bit older than yours and I am struggling with the photos. Actually I think the plating and photography take more time than the cooking.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your 6 months blogging. Everything looks amazing and delicious especially your presentation. Although my eyes are leaning towards month 3, I remember that post, it's the Vietnamese bbq with noodle dish.
ReplyDeleteI'm still struggling with my photography, I have big issues in plating/presentation.
Congratulations, Sommer. You have a great blog!
ReplyDeleteYes, I also find the picture taking a challenge, but we can only improve!
Hi Sommer,
ReplyDelete(as I skimmed through this post, it was like... bla bla bla... and kyeh-Dong!... Loook at that tasty goodies on the photos *drool)
I think your food are simple with a very unexpected-should-be-classic twist. Photos somewhat matters but I usually just skimmed through the ingredients when I look at posts.
I still have to gain my photo skills. It's still extremely scratchy... not to mention that I lost my camera. SO back to square one.
It's great to see the changes you had over the months.
Happy 6 months! Your photos are outstanding!!! I agree blogging is more about food and friends. Don't you just love it when you come across a dish you so relate to or are so impressed with that not only so you prepare it and photograph it, you share it with the very friends responsible for preparing it. That always makes me smile!
ReplyDeleteHi Sommer,
ReplyDeleteI cringed as well everytime I revised my older posts. I have just started blogging this year and I'll tell ya, there are so much to learn in blogging, not just cooking and writing.
Congrats on 6 months - looking forward to read your post on blog anniversary. :D
By the way, I have something for you: Check this out http://www.fussfreecooking.com/emily-monologues/award/
As the ad goes..."You've come a long way, baby" Congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteI totally share your feelings, experience, etc..I'm a month older then you (in my bloglife, I mean...)
Great to have found you!
Your photography has come a long way in those six months - that photo is beautiful. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on hitting six months! Your photography is stunning. I would definitely say you've made major improvement. I think all of us food bloggers have those beginning posts with the "not so perfect pictures". I know I do. Heck, my current pictures still aren't where I 'd like them to be, but we work and we improve.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree about the community aspect of it. I had no idea that would be such a big part of it to me, but it definitely is!
Hey Sommer, I cringe when I look at my old photos! Ugh, flash is in every one of them it seems (smile). You have come a long way at least in terms of 'blogging'. I'm sure your foods been good all along though...!
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous photos of your delicious food! I want to try that month 6 tomato dish. Yum!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your 6 month anniversary !
ReplyDeleteI've only been at this for 4months and there is a drastic change in the photos.
I definitely love reading your blog and its not only for the recipes :)
Can't wait to see what you have in store for us !
You are so right about the photos! Unfortunately if the pic is not appealing, I would not bother trying the recipe. It does take time to learn the art of photography. You managed in 6 months to do a amazing work!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your 6 month mark! Your blog is beautiful, and the food looks amazing! I've also started a recipe blog a few month ago and am still struggling with taking food pictures. It's much harder than I thought! For me, writing is one of the hardest parts of blogging since English is my second language. I have too many things to work on, but reading nice blogs like yours pushes me to improve my own.
ReplyDeleteJe découvre ton blog.
ReplyDeleteEffectivement beaucoup de progrès en 6 mois.
Bravo!!!
De jolies et bonnes recettes aussi.
Salutations de Paris.
See soon.
Sommer
ReplyDeleteI would never have thought you were at 6 months, I would have guessed years...your writing is a joy to read and your images are gorgeous!! what ever your doing, keep doing it, and write it down!! There's a book in there!
Dennis
And look at you, only six months and you are already on The Foodie Blog Roll list of most popular first visits with 1608 hits in one week. How great is that for a new kid on the block. Great things are coming to you!
ReplyDeleteWell, your early pictures haven't seem to done too much harm. You have quite the following, and a great blog. Thought you had been around a lot longer than 6 months. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteLove the story! I'm like you..fairly new to the blog world and when I look back at my first few photos I'm appalled! It's amazing what you can learn in a few short months from others and searching the web :) Even the "bad" photos you showed still look pretty yummy to me- plus some things just don't photograph well- I call those diva foods
ReplyDeletecongrats on your 6months, I also had a hard time with my pics and am still learning every day..yummy recipes I love the shrimp
ReplyDeletesweetlife
Awe, so is the learning curve of novice bloggers such as myself. All the best to you as you learn to navigate the world of blogging and food photography--the two seem inseparable!
ReplyDelete