Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Plated


I've never been one to underestimate the appeal of a side-on look at a stack of plates. We use them every day, but we likely never take the time to look at them in any great amount of detail.

That's too bad, because they're pretty good at reflecting color, light and form. I think I need to spend more time bringing my camera to dinner.

Your turn: Do you take pictures at the kitchen or restaurant table? What kind of response do you typically receive when you pull the camera out?

One more thing: It's been an uncharacteristically quiet week here at Written Inc. The Colorado trip was hugely successful - whatever you do for a living, I highly recommend spending time with smart, devoted people, because it's inspiring. My Seattle briefing was scrubbed, so I flew home late last night and promptly crashed almost immediately after getting through the door. I woke up feeling like I'd been hit by a truck, so I'll be home today, trying to get better. More pictures and thoughts from the road in the days to come.

15 comments:

Linda said...

I love taking pictures at dinner tables. I have some great shots from Oktoberfest in Munich...but my favorite is one my FRIEND took of the bratwurst on my plate...it's actually rather VILE, lol! And we took shots looking down into our 1 litre beer mugs....guess I need to share those sometime....

kenju said...

I like that stack of plates, carmi, very colorful. I have never (that I remember) pulled out the camera at the dinner table, except at holiday meals, particularly Thanksgiving. But then I am more likely to focus on the people than the other details. I like how you make us see things we might never notice otherwise.

Anonymous said...

I have been known to pull out the camera and capture what is on the plates, but i never gave the plates themselves much thought...

Hmmm......

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I always love your perspective on things Carmi...Like those plates...PERFECT! Everything about that picture is totally and completely Perfect!!! The colors of the plates mixed up like that---To Me...That makes the photograph just that much more special....

Melissa Amateis said...

Now I'm going to have to look at my plates from an entirely different perspective. ;-)

I've spent many a day in Colorado since it was only a few hours from my hometown in western Nebraska. I'm rather partial to Fort Collins and Estes Park rather than Denver. But then, I'm not a big-city gal.

srp said...

Of course I take pictures at the table. Since the girl is at college, the fourth chair is empty, for about five minutes. Then Mr. Rhett, the Siamese that thinks he is a human, sits there with his head just above the table top and stares. Sometimes I take pictures of him sitting there.

Nyssa wanted me to take a picture of her with her first ever turkey. (First one she cooked, she didn't hunt it and shoot it.) She asked if I had my camera but before I could answer she said.... "That was a stupid question, you always have your camera."

These plates are quiet fabulous. Never tried them before.

scrappintwinmom said...

Pretty plates. Isn't it great to be home?
Thanks for checking in on me - it was just a crazy weekend last week - I'll be back this weekend, better than ever!
...well, maybe just as good as ever. I don't want to set myself up for failure.

SzélsőFa said...

Hello Carmi,
when I am abroad (and that does NOT happen very often), I take a photo of EACH of my meals. Even icecreams.
It must be an obsession.
People either smile or are amused at me. More often than not I pass the thing onto my non-present kids, telling people I want to show the things I eat abroad once I get home. They accept this explanation.

Karen said...

This is such an awesome photo. Just really love it. If that writing thing ever falls through, which it won't, photography is definitely more than a fall-back career for you. Amazing.

And no, I don't take photos at the dinner table. I barely cook the meal.

Diana Joy said...

Wow!!!
Your writing and pictures are soooo impressive!
Diana Joy

Anonymous said...

People who eat with me all the time get used to it but I can be self-conscious photographing the dinner for the daily food blog, especially in dark restaurants with acquaintances who naturally enough assume they will be the subject of the photo.

Kara said...

I use my camera phone alot., mostly because I seemed to have killed my digital. But I love to take pics of my son when he's eating, no idea why. Especially when it's clam chowder, which he loves. I usually get the eye roll..boy does that look say alot.

Anonymous said...

I do sometimes take photos of teapots and wine glasses because my friends don't want to be on my blog! This is a great shot! Strangely it makes me hungry...maybe just to imagine using one of those plates. Save the purple one for me!

Snaggle Tooth said...

Most people turn around n hide their faces thinking I'm about to shoot them... but really, I don't want faces who are un-willing subjects!

Moogie said...

Hope you are feeling back to par now. Glad to hear your trip was a success. I've only ever taken pictures of things that I have cooked in the kitchen. I think I may just have to give this a try.