Food photography on the run

Dish by www.foodaccordingtobree.com for Fleruieu Living Magazine using only natural light with a white reflector.

1. Sit by a window
- Easiest and most flattering way to light your food. 
- Place your dish near the window, without direct light falling on it. 

2. Use your white napkin to bounce the light back into the food
- Hold your white napkin upright, as close as you can to your plate of food. The napkin should be on the opposite side of the plate to the window. The light coming in from the window will now bounce back onto the plate. 

3. Re-arrange the food to look even yummier
- Look at your dish. Is there an overcooked broccoli head or soggy chip? Get rid of the ingredients that don't do the dish justice. Spin the plate around also - it may look better from the other side. 

4. Photograph from different angles
- If it is a 'stacked' dish, perhaps get down to photograph the layers.
- If it is soup or casserole, you could shoot from above and show the crusty bread roll, etc.
- Lots of dishes look great from a 45-degree angle. 
- Experiment!

let's go...

Kuta Lombok or Kuta Bali?

'We are going to Kuta.' 'Oh, that's crazy and busy, and so touristy,' they reply. 

'No, Kuta in Lombok. I think it will be a bit different. People say it reminds them of Bali ten years ago.' 

They reply 'Oh, I've never heard of it. Where is that?'

Each morning we wake and do yoga. A purpose-built deck on the beach means we look out to a calm bay, complete with bobbing fishing boats and lone SUP'er heading out to the break out the back. The beach is quiet (all except one morning when conference delegates thought loud dance music would be appropriate to blast out of speakers at 7 am) except for the thunder of waves crashing beyond the bay. Swell is big. I've never been able to do yoga for more than 45 minutes, but these one and half hour sessions are easy. 

We hire a moped for $10 a day and go scootering. I wouldn't dream of doing this in Bali, but the roads look calm and safe here - as long as you keep an eye out for potholes. A tour down the main street takes about one minute. We slow down for buffalo, dogs sniffing and wandering old men. There are a few surfers chatting and locals laze in the shade. Children play in the puddles while one old man has a quick wash roadside. 

The restaurants and shops are deserted. And there is no 'lady, come here, see this' or 'Psst, you want? Just look.' Shop owners may smile, throw something your way, but don't persist if I decline.

There are a couple of side roads - most leading out of town. They are lined with stores, surf schools, guest houses and more restaurants. But all are empty on our visit out of season in February. 

And that's how it stays for the rest of the trip. Near-deserted. Each night the restaurants and beachside pop-up bars would take it in turns to entertain the tourists that are staying around Kuta. One bar per night would be 'the place'. 

Near-deserted white sand beaches line the southern coast around Kuta. They look like the beaches I dream of - lush vegetation bordering the white sand that leads to water that is clear and turquoise colour. Sometimes we find a little rubbish floating about, but nowhere near the amount we swim through in Bali. 

After discovering beaches for two days my moped we decide to hire a guide, boat, and boards and head out for a surf at Gerupuk. The break we go to is called Insides, in the middle of a bay this break comes from seemingly nowhere. 

The surf guides family being amused by Ben in his home.

It must be one of the easiest surf sessions I have had in my life. I catch a long wave, and then instead of an arm breaking battle to get out the back again, I have a quick and gentle paddle just outside the reef break. I'm back in the lineup minutes later. I catch waves that reform with no concern for the hard paddle that normally goes with it. The locals have fun with us, showing us tricks that keep them entertained on these smaller waves.

Back at the Novotel, for now, the only resort on the beachfront, we are met with hawkers. But instead of sell, sell, sell, they try the sell, then sit and chat. Their children are playful and muck around with us. I try and teach them sand-angels. We book our driver to Sengiggi through one of the ladies - her husband. It's a nice end to the day after adventuring, chatting with our new 'friends'.

A 25-minute flight to Lombok. Is it worth it? You bet. If you want to see somewhere different, less touristy (but not too off the beaten track), stunning white sand beaches, and good surf - head to Kuta in Lombok. Nearly Bali - but better.

Why can't you be yourself?

Way out west. A slice of WA.

Perth has been on my travel radar for a while now. Lots of people have come back raving how great it is. But to get there - it's an effort. The cost of flights, the travel time, and then, hate to admit it, the unknown of whether I would like it. After all, it is a city. And cities don't normally leave me 'wow, I love this city'. 

Ok, so I admit. I still don't know what Perth is like as a destination - unless you consider going to a Convention at the Crown complex with an outing to a bar one night, an experience. But I did stay in Fremantle. And there is so much to do there, that four days just wasn't enough. Talk about the conference revealed Fremantle was on the down slope - shops closing, not much happening, lacking atmosphere. So, driving down the main road on a Wednesday night, cafes buzzing, people wandering - I was lost. Is this the same Fremantle? 

For the following couple of days, I did a cafe tour. Ootong and Lincoln and The Raw Kitchen for healthy yet delicious treats. Little Creatures (downing about a schooner of beer tastings before realising it wouldn't be gluten free) for some culture and Saturday afternoon vibe. Ruocco's Italian for the best calamari I've eaten. Indian and some very yummy Lebanese. And let's not forget Third Wheel at South Beach Cycles in South Freo - a trendy little spot for coffee mid-morning while the pug gets watered after her short stroll. My taste buds are alive.

There are some honest people in Fremantle. On ordering my coconut milk short latte and offering to buy my cousins, I reach for my money in my pocket. No money to be felt. And I did put it in there. Damn. I must have dropped it along the way when I took my phone out. I ran back along the esplanade, not hopeful but having to give it a try, and found the colourful $20 note sitting near the footpath. People must have passed, as there were people everywhere - good karma was with me that day. Thank you, Fremantle peeps.

Freo would be a great place to live - casual vibe, artists, beach (and surf beach nearby), and of course, the choice of eateries. My place. Just need to find that in Adelaide. Hmm.

Thoughts become actions, actions become reality.

I often look up to other people, see what they achieve and wish I could have or be like them. Negative thoughts enter 'I'm not good enough' or 'I don't have time for that'. Or even worse, 'people will laugh and talk about me'. It causes procrastination.

Lately, I have come across a few sayings I want to be my mantras.

'If they can do it, so can I.'
'People are too busy worrying about what they look like to worry about what you are doing.'

What is your mantra?

Better pics: memories worth keeping.

Ever got back from your holiday, excitedly looking through your holiday snaps, only to realise that they don't look like what you remember? Perhaps the beautiful shot of your child playing on a tropical beach is somewhat blurry, blue or missing the emotion. Or the food you ate, you remember how yummy it was, but can't describe the fruit that you discovered to your inquiring family and friends. Or the fancy room, where you sit and watch palm silhouetted sunsets every night while sipping a Mojito. Everyone wants to see where you stayed, but your photos only show a snippet of the room and the view out of the window is so bright there is nothing to see. Or, you can see the view outside, but the room is too dark. And the colours don't reproduce as bright and vivid. It's disappointing. 

But here's the thing, you don't need to be a professional photographer to get photos that tell the story of your holiday and create the memories you want to treasure forever. 

Food
Sit next to a window. During the day, light will filter in and give nice side or backlight to your plate of food. 
Try and keep it out of direct sunlight. 
Use a white napkin to direct light back into the shadow side of the plate.

Accommodation
Turn the flash off. 
Steady the camera on a tripod or lean camera on something as the shutter speed will be slow. If you hand-hold, the photo may be blurry from handshake.
Take a photo of the room and the view at the same time at night or sunrise/sunset when the light outside is not as bright.
Keep your camera straight - don't point up or down. 

People
Get in close to see the emotion. 
Don't pose them. Let them keep doing what they are doing. That way, you tell a story instead of getting a 'cheese'.
Turn them side on to the sun for some fun light. If they face the sun, they will squint, if they have the sun behind them, the camera will expose for the sun and make them dark.

Street
Talk to people and get to know them before taking a picture. It will have more meaning.
Respect cultures. Don't take a photo if they don't want one taken.
Take wide shots and close-up shots. 

Landscape
Sunrise and sunset are the 'sweet spots' for special light.
Use the 'rule of thirds' and compose the photograph with something of interest on one of the 'thirds' lines. 
Keep looking behind. It always looks different from another angle.

Story-telling
Don't forget to get the little details. Flowers on your bed, produce in the market, tuk-tuk interiors, worn pavers on the cobbled streets. Doors, windows, food, tickets. These all add to your holiday story and are easy to forget when returning home.
Detail photographs add interest to your slideshow or coffee table book. They turn a 'look at me' presentation into a story of adventure. It's more interesting for others to look at than 200 smiling pics of you in various locations.

And the biggest tip of all. Take your time. Think about what you want to say in your photo. Should the camera be horizontal or vertical? Should you get in close to the person or show what is around them? Is there a pole or tree growing out of someone's head? Look at your photo before pressing the shutter button and double check. Have fun - that's where the magic lies.

*This blog post is part of my entry to the Virgin Australia Top Travel Tips competition. #pbevent @virginaustralia *

Z Ward with Adelaide Haunted Horizons

Believe in ghosts? Doesn't matter - Adelaide Haunted Horizons' tours are fun for everyone. It's a Saturday night with a difference. Check them out. www.adelaidehauntedhorizons.com.au

I photographed in Z Ward at Glenside (criminally insane ward) for them but did a recce at Old Tailem Town about an hour from an Adelaide a few weeks prior. The stories told, the ambience, the intrigue of not knowing what lies beyond the torchlight. It all leads to me jumping at someone whispering 'boo' while I'm standing up the back of the group in a shop. Honestly, I thought it is whispered in my left ear, the ear that has nobody standing next to it - but obviously not, when the guys next to me apologised. I could swear I felt the air push onto my ear - but I guess that is my mind playing tricks on me. 

Do I believe in ghosts now? Not sure. I can't say until I experience it. Would I go on a tour again? Definitely. It is so much fun, scaring myself in the dark while listening to stories that make me squirm. 

SAPPA 2015 (SA AIPP Print Awards)

I thought about it. 'No, don't think I'll do it.' I thought about it some more. 'Ok, I'll give it a go.' Then I thought about it again. 'No, no. I'm not.' And so the story goes on. One week before the deadline, I email Atkins and ask if it's too late to get prints done. It's not - as long as I have them submitted that day. Argh! The Mad rush to finalise the selection of prints, tweak said prints and send through. 

Over the weekend, judging took place. I was coughing way too much to go but watched via streaming. It's just as scary and nerve-wracking watching from home as it is watching in the audience. I got sweaty palms. I didn't want to watch. I did want to watch. I held my breath. I tried to think positive. 

My first print judged, a blue volcano, got Silver. Yay! Now - just continue like this, I beg. My next two prints rate in 'professional practice' - my heart sinks. 'Why can't I get it right?' But the judges make comment, and I realise, what they are saying is right. In my heart, something didn't sit right with these images. I tried hard to make them something more than what they were - pretty pictures.

The last print up was probably the print I was most concerned about. 'Does it tell enough story?' But I entered it anyway, and it got Silver! Yay again. 

Of course I wanted more, we always do. But I am happy with what I have got. And more importantly, I have a takeaway from these Awards. 

Listen to your heart. Don't close the door to what your heart is saying. Trust yourself. You know what is best.

Just do it