Bill Jennings's Photoblog
Eric ~ Master Chef ~ Sommelier Divine
Posted by Bill Jennings ((Bay Area Northern Calif), United States) on 23 May 2009 in Food & Cuisine and Portfolio.
A good friend Eric likes to cook dinner for us from time to time - and here he is putting the finishing touches on dessert.
We're lucky that he has a nice wine cellar, and he keeps a bottle from our wedding in his cellar until we can open it for a later anniversary.
Part of the dinner featured wines from his underground cellar seen on the Wine Country TV series, in this two minute video on Youtube: Eric's Wine Cellar Video.
I've shortened the blog from the original posting, as it was a bit verbose.
Just made it home after a month of travel - posted a few photos from my journey to within 48 miles of the antartica circle: at nearly the longest day of the year: hence, there was 21 hours a day of sunlight...
Thank you for your patience while I was out of touch.
I do hope you followed Bob Kelly's blog (my roommate) while he is still traveling - he is now on Easter Island - and will be updating his blog for some time to come - please check it out!
sherri from Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
It looks yummy! Wonderful image.
23 May 2009 5:37am
@sherri: Thanks Sherri - we surely enjoyed Eric's cooking!
Dulcie from Danville, United States
Nice photo, but I confess that after your descriptive narrative I am now waiting for shots from The French Laundry. Have you been, yet? Tells us more!!!
23 May 2009 6:11am
@Dulcie: I did indeed go, and quite frankly - I didn't bring a camera. Did not want the distraction.
@Eros: thanks Eros
@Ana Lúcia: thank you
Ajay from Pune, India
Voila!!! Look at that beautiful decoration. I am already feeling hungry. And do let me when you are coming, I am sure I can take you to places which are photography haven for anyone.
23 May 2009 7:46am
@Ajay: sounds great - I do look forward to such an opportunity.
@Craig: over exposed with a handheld flash, isn't it? I still struggle with using flash.
@Sarah: we enjoyed it!
Craig from Vacaville, California, United States
Ok, you say you want critical feedback. You've got some hideous reflections going on (you know what I mean). The foreground is over-exposed and the background is underexposed. It is difficult to tell what your subject is. The white balance is all off. Possibly the worst photograph I've seen on AM3 in quite some time. I much prefer finding a great "hole in the wall" to so called fine dining and fine wine. They are such a serious waist of money. I think the thing I find most objectionable is your commentary. It really sounds like you are tooting your own horn.
23 May 2009 11:40am
@Craig: Craig, good feedback, I'll work on the commentary. I was fortunate that I didn't have to pay for the dinner - as I helped a friend's company with a product launch, and he asked me if he could treat me to dinner with the spouse. Thanks for the detailed comments on the photo as well - gives me something to work on -I did try to play with the exposures to fix many of the challenges, but didn't pull it off.
@Veronelle: thanks for stopping by and seeing the photo and commenting.
Judy from Brooksville, Florida, United States
I'll bet your dinner was fantastic and after watching the video of his wine cellar, you must have had the perfect wines to go with your meal. :D
23 May 2009 12:22pm
@Judy: Eric's got a great palate, and helps buy wine for a local restaurant - so can get wine at a real discount. We did enjoy some wine as well.
Mariana from waterloo, Canada
Wonderful portrait . Oh, you captured his face so well, even, if you did not mention he is a chef, I would say - yes, this guy is a master chef !!!
23 May 2009 2:30pm
@Mariana: he's a fantastic cook - a great friend, and we're happy to be able to eat his talented dishes.
LESLIE from norwich, United Kingdom
Yummy - wish i could taste it.... well captured portrait
23 May 2009 5:12pm
@LESLIE: thank you.
@Onlymehdi: thanks Mehdi!
@john4jack: Thank you Jack.
Susan from Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
Desert looks delicious....and quite the shot....when I first pulled it up, and only saw his face, I could have sworn you had photographed at Madame Tussaud's !!!!
23 May 2009 9:53pm
@Susan: Well, Eric would be excited to know he was so famous to be a celebrity at Madame Tussaud's.. Not sure he'd be happy to know he looked like a wax figure (go figure :). Thanks for the comment.
Michael from United States
Very well... "neat" image! It has a artsy mood. To clarify that I mean it gives the viewer the comfort of home. (If you like cooking) :)
23 May 2009 9:53pm
@Michael: That's a very nice thing to say, thank you - it was the mood I was going for: home cooking in the comfort of home.
Helen from Melbourne, Australia
Hello Bill. It appears this photograph is going to attract the feedback you ask for. I would question whether you really wanted photogaphic or candid feedback on this photograph. In a place where members strive for photographic perfection it is strange you would submit this photo unless it was candid feedback you were asking for. The major setback on this shot is that you do not have a true subject. You need to decide what the subject is. Unfortunately my eye was immediately drawn to the glare on the cupboard. You have cut off the two potential subjects; Eric and the dessert. A second thing I have become conscious of lately is, try to avoid the shooting up angle. Photos with a tops of cupboards and celings never quite look right. I discovered this whilst taking photos of friends because they are all taller than me. In the end, it looks like a great time was had by all. Eric looks like a 'bon vivant' and that is some dessert! Yum. Cheers.
23 May 2009 10:06pm
@Helen: Am looking for feedback, and I don't necessarily use AM3 to strive for perfection: as I am not nearly good enough to admit that that's my goal !!! I do like a better photo, and I also tend to write more than I should on the free-form text: as I use the blog sometimes as a archival for myself. I've re-read your comments, and agree: and will strive to do better.
@Steve Rice: it was a fun evening - thanks for the visit and comment.
jamesy from christchurch, New Zealand
How lucky you are I bet that bottle of wine is a temptations every time you are there
24 May 2009 8:42am
@jamesy: I don't know if I could finish 6 liters of wine quick enough to be tempted : without at least 30 friends nearby to also enjoy it the same evening. Nice thing is - the bottle may last longer than I will: so I can pick the ideal time to open it without worry.
Canon PowerShot S110
1/60 second
F/2.8
6 mm