I will cut to the chase and just say, if you don’t already have this book and you’re the least bit interested in food photography, Plate to Pixel should be on your ‘must have’ list. As a newbie to the world of photography, I tend to look at my camera more with fear and trepidation than I do with assurance and confidence . . . although I do love my camera and getting goods photos for Smith Bites is really important. And honestly, with Plate to Pixel, getting a great shot is within your reach!
I am very fortunate to call Helene Dujardin friend, and I’ve also been fortunate to see her in action as she walked a group of us through two of her sessions: the first teaching us about light and how to use it, the second was in styling a shot – props to use, how to use color and then again reinforcing how you can use light to your advantage. Helene’s writing has a way of putting you at ease, encourages you from the pages she’s written and it’s almost as if she’s standing over your shoulder walking you through each step.
And the best part? She’s nice. She’s generous. Ask her a question on twitter and she’ll answer it; send her an email asking for pointers and she’ll tell you the truth . . . I speak from experience. Want proof of her talent? Head over to her gorgeous blog, Tartelette, and take a look at her photos – every single photo is stunning.
I want you to enjoy the book as much as I do – so I’m giving away a copy of Plate to Pixel, plus a set of the diffusers Helene recommended at her workshop – at my own expense. I purchased a set these diffusers for myself and have used them for nearly every shot I’ve taken since they arrived – they’re terrific! And when I contacted Helene to let her know I was doing this giveaway, she graciously said she wants to send the winner a free 8×10 print of one of her photos – I told you she was nice!!
TO ENTER: leave me a comment and answer this question: ‘What do you love about photography?’
EXTRA CHANCES: Follow me on twitter and/or ‘like’ me on Facebook; leave me a separate comment for each – easy, peasy!
One winner will receive a copy of Plate to Pixel plus a set of diffusers and an 8×10 print of one of Helene’s photos; comments will be accepted until midnight Tuesday, June 14, 11:59pm Eastern Daylight Time. Winner will be chosen by random.org and notified by email so be sure I have an email address (which will not be published – DO NOT leave email addy in comment section – just make sure you list it in your contact info). Winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is open to anyone with a US mailing address.
I like (ok, really it’s “love”) you on FB!
I already follow you on twitter…of course!!
I love that photography has opened a whole new world for me – something I never dreamed of before…and I love it!
And I “Like” you on facebook. 🙂
Lovely giveaway! I could never draw or paint, and photography gives me the opportunity for creative expression that I can enjoy too!
I’m not a photographer and sometimes think it’s just luck my photos turn out decently.
Any book would be a huge help!
So important to SEE what the recipe is all about.
i love the art of creation and capturing the escence of things.
I “Like” you on FB! I am not a member of the Twitter world yet, however.
Follow you on twitter!
follow you on Facebook!
I love the stories photography tells. Its potential to be an inspiring piece of poetry.
What a fantastic giveaway, thanks for having it! What I love the most about photography is the ease with which it can enhance the reality (digital photography).
Sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words. Whether food or family or news events, good ones draw the viewer in and make them feel like they are there — or wish they were.
I am following you on Twitter
I just liked your fb page
What I love about photography, especially food photography, is that you have the ability to influence something. In our zest for convenience, many families have quite cooking at home, following the recipes, teaching their children how to cook and eat a healthy and balanced diet.
Food photography is a way to showcase the recipes that we write about on our site. Maybe a photograph will influence someone to prepare a recipe and rekindle the art of cooking and enjoying the family meal.
I love how photography makes me see, really see. When I became a rock climber, I never looked at a cliff face the same way: now I am always searching for the crack, the holds, the cleanest line. When I became a photographer, I never looked at light the same way: the color of it, how it falls, how it dances and diffuses. It’s endlessly fascinating.
I love that photography challenges me. Each setting and subject is different so there are always new techniques to learn.
I love how photography allows me to share with others my love for food (especially ice cream).
And like you on facebook 🙂
OFcourse I follow you on twitter!
Photography makes me think. Think creatively. That’s what I love about it!
got you on my facebook feed now
what i love about photography? that it does capture the memorie and you can have it with you
what do i love about food photography? gosh!!! that looking at those gorgeos pictures your brain starts working and you can almost smell the food, your mounth starts watering, and your tummy to make some really really weird noises, GOOD FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY IS LIKE FOOD PORN
What I love about photography …
Ever since the suicide death of my husband, photography has become a creative outlet for me..to see the Beautiful , the Mysterious, the twinkle and depth and importance of LIFE in all forms. It has deepened my vision to truly SEE things that I would not have noticed before..like light, darkness, smiles, a flutter of a bee and the brush of butterfly wings. There is HOPE and beauty in how we look at things! Plus it’s a great stress buster when painful memorys rise up. I grab my Nikon & shoot LIFE. It keeps me ALIVE. It helps me see the broken parts made beautiful.
I follow you on Facebook and will share this post on my page as well. Bee Blessed
I’ve been wanting that book…and as for what I love about photography…I love it when I see the photo and realize that I nailed it–that the picture actually captured what it was meant to. Which doesn’t happen often enough!
I love how you can express yourself through photograph and be as creative as you want, all from the comfort of your home — or from the most remote places in the world!
I already have this book but your question made me think and I’m not sure yet. I enjoy a challenge; I love making my environment pretty and ‘staging’ my home, my garden and more so it’s very much a natural extension of who I am. The challenge is in the blending of technical with artistic which I do in another environment professionally so I’m hoping to continue to muddle through until I get to a place where the results really appeal to ME; my biggest critic.
And, I “like” Smith Bites on Facebook!
Of course, I also follow you on Twitter 🙂
Wow… Great giveaway! I can’t wait to get a copy of the book.
I think the easier question to answer would be what I don’t love about photography… Nothing! For me, one of the things I love most is the way a photo can bring out details/emotions/feelings that you wouldn’t have noticed otherwise.
When my career as a kitchen design died due to the economic recession, I discovered photography and never looked back. It gave me back my creative life and taught me to open my eyes fully. All of the elements of my design education are now being utilized in my images and I believe that they have become a gift to myself and others.
And I just Liked you on FB. I don’t know why I hadn’t already!
I already follow you on Twitter. 😉
Oh, I’ve been dying to get my hands on this book! I love Helene’s photography, it’s just stunning.
What do I love about photography? I love that no matter what I’m photographing, it’s capturing a memory in time. Whether it’s with my family or food shots, I can look back at my photos and remember the event, or the food we were enjoying at that moment. That makes me happy.
Also, I have ‘liked’ you on Facebook!
What I love about photography is capturing a memory of something to remember when I see the photograph later down the line. Also I find food photography to be a great inspiration to cook and try new things. Great giveaway 🙂
Interesting question. I like how it brings everything alive
And on Facebook as well of course!
You know I follow you on Twitter!
Photography is my form of expression, it’s my voice.
Photography expresses what I see on the world, in a way that gives others the space to make what they will of it.
I liked you on FB!
I follow you on Twitter (@nella22)
I love the memories it captures. If I didn’t photography my meals, I’d never remember anything!
OMG Debra this is the best! Dying to get this book. What do I love about photography, hmm easy, point of view! 🙂 I already like you everywhere as you know.
I follow you on Twitter.
I love everything about photography – just wish I was better at it. Looks like theses are a couple of tools I need!
I follow you on Facebook.
I love that photography captures a moment, a memory. I always go back through photos and remember something I hadn’t thought about in awhile.