Saturday Favorites

Earlier this week, I completed my first planned food shoot in over a year (for this post) and it was quite terrifying to start shooting again without knowing whether the old skills/sensibilities would flow back naturally or if the learning would be from scratch. In the end, it was a bit of both, with the added challenge of adjusting to the lighting in a new apartment. I realize professional photographers must constantly adapt to diverse settings for their shoots (among the many reasons that I respect them so and that I'll never be a pro lol!). I, on the other hand, am accustomed to quite the opposite: transforming the same environment into 20 different ones so my photos don't all blend together. If any of you have tips for readjusting to food photography/blogging after a long break or after a big move, please share them with me in the comments below!

Another topic on my mind this week has been the interaction between individual innovation and external inspiration from the work of others (such as the photos I share in these favorites posts). One of the reasons I enjoy perusing beautiful food photos is that different photographers can approach the same subject from drastically different angles. In the best circumstances, seeing such varied takes on the same subject helps me break out of a creative box I may not even realize I'm in. That's the best and desired outcome. Yet there's also the possibility that focusing too much on the work of others will simply impose new blinders that anchor your creativity to the ideas of another artist. I know I'm not the only one to feel this way. For example, I once read an article from a cake artist who avoided looking at other cake art so that she could ensure that her designs would be part of a unique, personal style. What do you guys think? Not just for food or photography but for any form of art, do you feel it's more helpful or harmful to look at other people's work while also developing your own? 

P.S. - Just want to make sure everyone knows that the photos I feature still link back to the source/creator if you click on the image.  One of the main reasons I make these favorites posts is to direct more traffic to deserving artists, so I'd hate for people not to realize the links are there. Enjoy!

Tomatoes Photograph by Local Milk

Herbed Chicken Sandwich Photograph by Jeff Kauck

Assorted Ingredients on Bread Board Photograph by Jeroen van der Spek

Roasted Spiced Pumpkin Salad with Tahini Dressing from The Food Dept.

Chicken Satay Lettuce Wraps from Sips and Spoonfuls

Great Gatsby Themed Wedding Cake by Sweet Cakes Bakery via Glamour and Grace

Salty Caramel Ice Cream with Popcorn from Have a Yummy Day

Scottish Tartan Wedding Cake by Truffle Cake and Pastry via WedLuxe

Swedish Cinnamon Roll (animated GIF) from Have a Yummy Day

Gold and Blue Seaside Wedding Cake by Kiss My Cakes

Crostini with Green Beans and Mint from Foodienarium

Herbed Bread Buns Photograph from Donna Hay