Even he's a critic...
Had high hopes to post a cute Halloween cake today... ain't happening. I'll just say I have the utmost admiration for folks that have the patience and skill to artistically decorate cakes and cookies.
I'm gathering mini ornaments for my small kitchen Christmas tree and found these cute glass Hersey Kisses today at HomeGoods. They're about 1 1/2". True Confession Time: I'm a bit of an ornament addict... I tell my sons the ornaments are their inheritance:@) Yep, they're thrilled.
We're at that time of year where natural day light is at a premium. Most days I'm at work during those hours, I also have a point and shoot camera... What do you do to help make your pictures the best you can? Do you have a light box (did you make it?), an extra lamp, do you point it at the ceiling? Any ideas? Just curious.
How's the weather where you are? It has been amazing here in Philly yesterday and today. High of 60, lows in the 40's perfect for haunted hay rides and bon fires. Hope Fall is treating you well!
Have a happy day:@)
I have the same problem with my camera. Indoor photos are terrible and that is what I get to post this winter. Since when can you not decorate cakes and cookies?!
ReplyDeleteLet's just say this one turned out so bad I couldn't even blame it on Earl!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to take photos when the natural light isn't good. - We have had typical beach weather today..ugh. xo
ReplyDeleteChiming in, your cookies and cakes are always cute. Love the owl below.
ReplyDeleteI suffer the same lack of good light for my photos. I try to take photos outside when possible. Hate to use the flash, but have to sometimes.
~Sarah
glad you're having some good weekend weather to enjoy your fall! it's been pretty here today. highs in the 80s still.
ReplyDeleteCute ornaments! I have the same problem- no light when I'm home except for Saturday and Sunday. Sigh. :)
ReplyDeleteI do have what I call a light box (you can see me using it with pink Saturday posts)and love it - it's actually an old bit of home decor from Target - it used to say Tiki Bar but also had this white plastic sheet too.
ReplyDeleteThose kisses ornaments are so cute.
ReplyDeleteJust take some time for you and that blogger block will pass.
Do what ya can and let the rest go, it isnt worth the stress.
I have had the blogger block before and then it passes!!
ReplyDeleteLove the ornaments. My son's inheritance is my cookbooks :)
Thought of you today. I was at a shopping event and one of the booths had the cutest pigs! I am sure they were distant relatives of Earl :)
I use my little Canon S-95 for indoor photos and in general am pleased with the results. I open all curtains, turn on overhead lights and keep the flash turned off. Then I take my time snapping a few photos and use the best one.
ReplyDeleteOur weather is amazing! Sunny, warm, blue skies. Just amazing and I never want fall to end. NEVER!
I seem to have a block right now too. Hopefully, it won't last long! I LOVE Christmas ornaments ~ always have!
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a fabulous weekend.
xo
Pat
Ohio has had the worst weather...gloomy, damp, cold, rainy...need I say more. Then right around sundown on Sunday the sun comes out and walla....it gets dark! I always feel bad for people who planned on pretty weather for their weekend off of work. Your little kisses are sweet. I use to do craft shows and had 4 small Christmas trees that I would load up with my homemade ornaments. I always loved them too. My tree was always the favorite part of the holiday, well, next to the little ones opening their presents :)
ReplyDeleteThose ornaments are so cute. I can't wait to see your tree.
ReplyDeleteI only seem to take good pictures outdoors.. I know what blog fog is . There are days My senior brain seems to be in a fog. There are so many cute ornaments in the stores.. ..it's hard to resist some of them. Weather here is sunny but cool in west michigan
ReplyDeleteThe Fall weather has been glorious here in central Texas. I did get sunburned today at a baseball game..sigh. Cannot wait for it to get a little bit cooler though!
ReplyDeleteits great weather here as well, I LOVE those hershey kisses,,
ReplyDeleteIt has been beautiful weather here, but cold at night (Central Alabama)...
ReplyDelete....and who doesn't love {Hershey's} kisses???
Shoot. I've got blogger's block, baker's block, writer's block, photographer's block, recipe maker-upper's block, and that other kind of block for which Miralax is my only hope. The sun sets too doggone early and heaven only knows it's not ME who gets started too late to catch the best of the day's rays for pics of the few items that I do manage to cook. My posting queue is full of drafts, some with only titles, others with half-written posts. It all makes me grumpier than a pig without mud. ;)
ReplyDeleteOh dear. I really cut loose, didn't I? Soooo...those ornaments are so cute! Those will be perfect on your kitchen tree.
As for lighting after I lose the sunlight, I always keep the flash off and work with whatever kitchen lighting I have. Then, I use my photo program (Adobe Photoshop Elements) and try to tweak the photo as best I can. I wish I had a light box, but that will have to wait I suppose.
Still love your blog. It is so warm and friendly and makes me smile.
Hi Lynn,
ReplyDeleteFor someone with writing issues, you pulled out all the stops with you 3 Little Piggy header! It's adorable. Nothing works as well with my pix as natural light. Also, different lenses can make a difference. Your cookies look great too. Relax, the blog can wait!
I love the grey poupon joke! That is just too funny. Those are the cutest little ornaments. I would almost want to eat them! What a fun idea to have a little tree for the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteFor lighting, I bought the Lowell Ego lighting system for indoor shots from amazon at about $79. When the lights broke, I just went to Home Depot and bought the replacement bulbs (curly ones) that mimic outdoor light. The Lowell has a plastic filter over it, but a piece of parchment or translucent plastic would probably work too. I have been really pleased with it.
I am a bad photographer as well.My partner is excellent one but seldom have time and mostly mn=ake photo of a final dish:)
ReplyDeleteReally cute kisses..:))
ReplyDeleteI am hoping to do a kitchen tree this year...but, WHERE will I put it??:))
Like most everyone else, I take my photos outside, if I can. No help on how to get better inside photos...if you find out, LET ME KNOW. :)
xoxo bj
Just noticed the header and laughed out loud :D
ReplyDeleteI love mini ornaments..would like to do a kitchen tree, but I might have to carry it around or wear it as a hat. There is just no space!
I struggled with photos of the dining room, when I was working on the window finish post. I used the flash for one of the photos. As I was taking the pics I was thinking, here we go, poor light, till Spring.LOL
ReplyDeleteMy only suggestion is to turn on all the lights and try that. Even with the "big" camera I have photo issues in lowlight.
Blue skies and sunshine but there's a chilly wind about too here in Normandy.
ReplyDeleteLove the Hershey kisses tree ornaments, did you buy the boys a box each?
Don't want them squabbling now do you? LOL!
Yes, this time of year always has me in a blogger block. The fact that is getting darker earlier and it's cooler makes me just want to put on my sweats when I get home from work and settle in to watch TV.
ReplyDeleteAnd the light issue...I am so with you. I could always capture some decent pictures in the evening during the summer but now if I don't get them before dinner I am out of luck!! My son is the real photographer of the family so when he comes home for Thanksgiving break I'm making him give me some lessons. I'll pass along any valuable pointers!
Take care.
Jane
Thank you my favorite Little Piggy for your lovely visit and yeah...I know what you mean, but you did a terrific find...I'm totally in love with your Hershy glass kisses ornaments, wow, how cute that is! I love ornaments too, I buy something every year for my Xmas tree, so it's packed! Have a nice Sunday and take it light. FABBY
ReplyDeleteHi lovely lady.
ReplyDeleteI love your Christmas Ornaments so sweet like Chocolate kiss's !!! I can't wait to see your tree.
Thanks so much for your lovely comments on my new Tablescape. I hope you are having a great weekend.
XXOO Diane
Oh my...your header is hilarious!!
ReplyDeleteI understand what you mean about taking pictures. I'm not only computer challanged, I'm also camera challanged.
Your cakes and cookies are always a work of art!!!
Enjoy this wonderful weather.
Hey Lynn, I have directions for a home-made light box with things you have around the house. I just have to look for the exact directions. Try editing your pics on Paint.net - works wonders! Have a great day~!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about hard to get good shots. I have a DSLR so I can lower the aperture to let more light into the lens but you really need to have a tripod for that. Sometimes, a simple clip lamp with one of those squiggly bright light bulbs can help.
ReplyDeleteI have a kitchen Christmas tree too - love the Hersheys Kiss ornaments!
Lynn, I love those kisses. I have a kitchen tree, so now I will look for them. If not, I will use real kisses and hope the gkids don't eat my tree decs.
ReplyDeleteGot to CTS, and had fun! They are putting more and more Cmas out everyday.
Go after Halloween though, then they will have made room for lots! Remember to print a coupon before you go!
I hear you about the light! Even with a Dslr I have trouble. I did buy those clip on lights at home depot . It helps a little in the winter!
ReplyDeleteI adore your pigs costumes on the top in your header. sandie
ReplyDeleteThose ornaments are Adorable!!!! I am kinda excited for xmas decor. You have been on the ball this month with all of these recipes and ideas! oh, and I love what you did with your header. I am going to link back to your eyeball meatballs in my next post ~ they were just to cool.
ReplyDeleteIn the good old days I used to spend Thanksgiving in Hershey and did I stock up on fantastic Hershey Christmas items. But all good things come to an end, but I think I hung on to a few....love your header and the way you can change it out. I refuse to believe that your pumpkin cake did not turn out well! xo
ReplyDeleteI don't have the patience to decorate cakes and cookies either. I have seen you some amazing things in the past though. Better luck next time!
ReplyDeleteThose ornaments are very cute and perfect for a kitchen tree.
Have a great week!
I'm not a good photo taker and I get blogger's block all the time. Don't feel bad!
ReplyDeleteLove the ornaments! I keep playing with lights and one of these days will get good at it, until then....
ReplyDeleteLynn, I have more failures than success in blog food beauty department so that is why I don;t post recipes that often --I am so self conscious of not having all the dishes and accessories so many have. Living in the city I just don't have room for a lot of blog worthy dishes...lol
ReplyDeleteI've heard many food blogger say they use a light box in winter --I don't have one and rely on my window light if I can.
I am also a Christmas ornament addict and really have to control myself not to buy any more as I hardly get a chance to put up a tree, as I'm usually in Colorado with the grandkids that time of the year. I love HomeGoods!!
Cute little kiss ornaments. I have promised myself that I won't buy any more ornaments this year. Unless they are really cute or really cheap.
ReplyDeleteTo help with lighting I bought one of those light stands that they sell at Home Depot for the garage. It has two lights on it so I try to bounce one light off the ceiling and the other light off the floor so I don't get shadows on the objects. It only works when you need some light, not a lot of light because then the color gets too far off. Or you can move to Hawaii where they don't have light issues.
I totally get the writer's block thing because I'm abiding in it these days. I never heard it called "blog fog" until reading these comments.
ReplyDeleteI read all of them, too, hoping for a good suggestion about the lighting.
It's a royal PAIN. I want to show dining room pics and they are always horrible.
I have no clue what a light box is. Sigh... Dumb blonde.
Oh my camera is taking horrid low light shots lately.. and they are so cost prohibitive to fix.. and i'm redecorating (no actually just decorating) and so no cash for the camera! I know how you feel, it's been weeks since I've had a semblance of an idea for blogging, so much other stuff to "get done".. perseverance is not my virtue.. it will get better.. hugs.. marlis
ReplyDelete