alecia reddick photography

PLGCSA Week IDK

2011-08-23T14:03:00.000-04:00

I'm so behind in my CSA posts that I don't even know what week of the share this is, so sad. But that's how uninspired I've been by the shares lately. Rotten tomatoes will do that to you I guess...

Anyway, here's this week's share:

Veggies:
Lettuce
Basil (which seems to be endless)
Beets/Carrots
Tomatoes
Peppers
Onions
Zucchini (only for the whole shares...here's hoping someone's sick of zucchini and puts it in the free bin)

Fruit:
It'll be a surprise for when I arrive at pickup. Last week the fruit share was Pears/Apples. And after 3+ weeks of peaches, I'm guessing Pears/Apples will be the new trend.

Cheese:
60 days-brine-ripened raw milk feta cheese

CSA Share Week 7 & 8

2011-07-20T18:12:00.000-04:00

PLGCSA Week 7
Lettuce Head

Swiss Chard
Garlic
Basil
Peas
Dill

Fruit share:
More blueberries...I wanted raspberries. But then I got pretty addicted to frozen blueberries in my oatmeal and fresh blueberries in my ice cream, so...I guess it was a success.

PLGCSA Week 8
Salad greens
Garlic
Zucchini
Parsley
Basil
1 (!!!) Zucchini blossom, no idea what to do with just one, I guess it will be a tester ::shrug::
Cabbage—but I didn't take it after the failure I had with the previous week's cabbage (it's still in my fridge, disappointing me)

Fruit share:
Plums & Apricots

I tried to make Stuffed Cabbage on Monday night—two mistakes I made: I waited too late into the night to start cooking and the cabbage wasn't cooked long enough to "stuff."

I was pretty, meh, about last week's share. I'm more excited about this week. Tonight I'm making a zucchini fritatta (which won't require standing in my excessively hot kitchen for too long)! And I now have a game plan with my salad greens/lettuce—I eat it on the first night, so that it won't fall victim to disintegration, discoloration, or freezing. You can bring frozen lettuce back to life, but defrosted salad greens are questionable. FYI: my fridge sucks.

Maple, walnut, and flaxseed pancakes

2011-07-09T11:00:00.001-04:00

Maple, Walnut, and Flaxseed Pancakes
adapted from Epicurious

1 cup all purpose wheat flour
1/4 cup flaxseed meal
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups reduced-fat (2%) milk
1/4 cup pure maple syrup (I used a raspberry flavored syrup)
1 large egg
1 tablespoon (or more) butter
Additional pure maple syrup (raspberry flavored)

Method

Whisk flour, flaxseed meal, walnuts, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl to blend.

Whisk milk, 1/4 cup maple syrup, and egg in another medium bowl. Add milk mixture to dry ingredients and whisk just until incorporated.

Add half tablespoon of butter to a nonstick skillet and heat over medium heat. Working in batches, add batter to skillet by scant 1/4 cupfuls. Cook until bubbles appear on surface of pancakes and undersides are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Turn pancakes over and cook until golden on bottom, about 2 minutes. Add butter as needed before adding each batch. Transfer pancakes to plates. Serve with additional maple syrup.

************

Wish I'd had some nutmeg and cinnamon to add into the pancake mix, it was missing a little spice. But I guess not too much, since by the next morning my leftovers were gone . . . Next time I make these I'm going to use the frozen blueberries from last week's and this week's fruit shares. So far they've just been going into my oatmeal . . . mmm, maybe some oats in place of the flaxseed meal.

Shrimp, Sugar Snap Pea, and Potato Salad

2011-07-08T17:00:00.001-04:00

Shrimp, Sugar Snap Pea, and Potato Salad
adapted from The New York Times

3/4 pound sugar-snap peas
2 scallions
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons red-wine vinegar, plus more for serving
1 1/4 teaspoons coarse sea salt
3/4 teaspoon pepper, plus more for serving
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
1 pound new fingerling or small yellow potatoes
1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled
3/4 cup parsley, chopped

Method
Trim and string the peas, then thinly slice them crosswise. Slice scallions and chop parsley. Place scallions, parsley, and peas in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard, vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Slowly whisk in the oil.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a cutting board. Add the shrimp to the pot and cook until opaque, 2 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to the bowl of peas.

While the potatoes are warm, slice them into 1/2-inch rounds, and place them in a small bowl. Gently toss them with 1/2 cup of the vinaigrette, 1 teaspoon salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Spread them on a large platter to cool.

When the shrimp are cool, toss with the peas and remaining vinaigrette. Spoon the mixture over the potatoes and serve.

Almond-y udon noodle and tofu salad

2011-07-07T17:00:00.001-04:00

Almond-y Udon Noodle and Tofu Salad
adapted from WholeFoods Market

2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 (14-ounce) package tofu, drained, patted very dry and cut into 1/2-thick slices
5 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 cup natural almond butter
1/4 cup honey
1 tbsp. red pepper flakes
3 cubes frozen minced garlic (from Trader Joe's)
1 (8-ounce) package thin rice noodles
1 head napa cabbage
3 cups sugar snap peas

Method

Instead of following the directions from this recipe for the tofu I decided to make Baked Tofu. Follow instructions for baking the tofu. Flip tofu halfway through cook time, drizzle all over with 2 tablespoons soy sauce and cook for remaining time or until golden brown on the second side; transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside to let cool.

Saute cabbage for 5 minutes to shrink down.

In a large bowl, whisk together almond butter, honey, remaining 3 tablespoons soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and garlic. Add tofu, noodles, cabbage, sugar snap peas and toss well and serve.

********

Using a whole head of napa cabbage gave me tons of leftovers. This salad was delicious, I'll definitely make it again if I get napa cabbage from my CSA.

Smooth.

2011-07-07T10:11:00.003-04:00

This week seems to be going smoother than last week in terms of me utilizing everything I was given in my share. I now only have a couple of things left from this week's share and they should hold for long enough for me to eat some leftovers.

PLGCSA Week 6
Lettuce Head

Peas
Scallions
Kale
Swiss Chard
Parsley
Garlic Scapes (none for me . . . apparently a shift worker was measuring out incorrect quantities, so anyone who showed up for the second shift pickup missed out on scapes)

Fruit share:
Blueberries

So far, to make sure that I wouldn't end up with frozen, wilted, or rotten lettuce I ate it first. So salad and kale chips on Tuesday. Wednesday, I tried Shrimp, Sugar Snap Pea and Potato Salad with Mint and Pecorino (adapted from The New York Times) post to come later—just need to take some photos when the light in my apartment is better. So now I just have swiss chard and my weekly cheese share left, because I'll be freezing the blueberries for future preserves and cobbler sessions.

High.

2011-07-06T22:10:00.000-04:00

View from Sky Room Times Square

Cups.

2011-07-06T21:33:00.000-04:00

Soy Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
adapted from WholeFoods Market

1 pound easy-peel frozen shrimp, thawed and peeled*
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 cubes of frozen minced garlic (from Trader Joe's)
1/4 pound uncooked thin rice noodles
1 head green leaf lettuce
Thai or regular basil
Mint
Cilantro
Chopped radish
5 green onions, chopped
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and thinly sliced
1/3 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
1 lemon, in wedges for serving

Method

Put shrimp, soy sauce and garlic into a large bowl, toss well, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Put noodles into a large bowl of warm water and set aside to let soften for 5 minutes; drain well. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil, add soaked noodles and cook for 3 minutes; drain again and set aside.

Meanwhile, preheat broiler. Using a slotted spoon, transfer shrimp from bowl to a baking sheet and arrange them in a single layer; discard remaining marinade. Broil until shrimp are just cooked through and pink, about 4 minutes, then transfer to a platter.

Arrange rice noodles, lettuce leaves, basil, mint, cilantro, radishes, green onions, cucumbers and peanuts on the platter with the shrimp. Have everyone assemble their own lettuce wraps, piling some of each ingredient onto a lettuce leaf, then rolling it up to form a package before eating.

************

If I hadn't added in lemon wedges with the wraps it definitely would've been a little dry. I found these wraps very refreshing. I'll definitely make them again.

Green.

2011-06-28T15:44:00.000-04:00

Everything will be vibrantly green this week. I already kicked it off with last week's garlic scapes, by canning some garlic scape pesto (7 garlic scapes, handful of walnuts, 2 oz. of CSA cheese, about 1 cup of EVOO, salt and pepper). Shrimp, garlic scape pesto, and whole wheat pasta is pretty addictive—which is the reason why my lunch today was sans shrimp. Can't wait to defrost some more shrimp and start dipping.

PLG CSA Week 5

Lettuce Heads

Salad Greens

Peas

Scallions

Kale

Swiss Chard

Basil

Turnips

My plan for this week's share: kale chips, roasted turnips (with honey like my mama does), basil + pea pesto (not sure about this, maybe mint would be better), lots o' salad—hmm, maybe roasted turnips with salad greens, and pasta/cous cous/quinoa with swiss chard! Sounds like a plan.

Photos of last week's meals to come later . . . been a little lazy about posting photos and recipes. My laptop is too old to be running more than one program at a time, which really puts a damper on uploading photos while watching Hulu—it's just not possible.

Wok.

2011-06-21T07:58:00.002-04:00

I need a wok . . . as this week will be stir-fry week, I think. Though, the farmers did suggest making kimchi out of the napa cabbage in this week's veggie share. I'm not really a kimchi person. So a stir-fry should probably use up about half of my share, and then I can make some more delicious garlic scape pesto, and maybe a cheese and oregano fritatta with salad greens to make use of everything.

And all I can say about the dill is, ugh . . . more dill?!?! I think I might have to put it in the free bin. I don't know how much dill compound butter I'll be able to stand once it comes time to unfreeze it (compound butter can last in the freezer up to 2 months).

PLG CSA Week 4:

Woodbridge Farm Vegetables
Lettuce
salad greens
garlic scapes
napa cabbage
sugar snap peas
and herbs (dill and oregano most likely)

Breezy Hill Orchard Fruits Not available

Baked.

2011-06-16T16:27:00.000-04:00

Baked kale chips . . . yum. These were so simple to make, I was literally bouncing around in my kitchen after I noticed how little there was to clean up. I also started my happy dance, after my first bite.

Then I proceeded to eat both batches that I made (all 15 oz. worth) . . . after I'd already consumed dinner.

Anywho, I used Smitten Kitchen's Baked Kale Chips recipe. Totally simple.

Here is my adaptation of Smitten Kitchen's recipe:

15 oz. of Kale (my CSA's farm has yet to divulge what type of kale)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Kosher salt, to taste

Preheat oven to 300°F.

Rinse kale and shake off excess water—it probably would've been better to pat dry (but I don't have paper towels, and I didn't have the patience to let it air dry—anyway the water was going to evaporate in the oven). After the first few minutes of slicing off stems and dicing leaves I gave up and used my own hands-on technique. Basically ripping the leaves off of the stem (who cares about presentation, it's just me . . . and my camera), coating the leaves with olive oil, spreading out a single layer of the kale in a 9 x 13 in. cake pan (my one cookie sheet is too big for my oven), sprinkling on some kosher salt and putting the pan in the oven. Twenty minutes later, a very addictive snack . . . maybe a few minutes more because of the aforementioned wet leaves.

Enjoy!

Pie.

2011-06-14T16:02:00.002-04:00

Looks like I'm going to be looking up Strawberry Rhubarb pie recipes. . . . Or maybe I'll make tarts.

PLG CSA Week 3:

Woodbridge Farm Vegetables :
Scallions!
Garlic Scapes!
Lettuce
Kale or Swiss Chard
Radishes or Turnips
Herbs: dill or parsley

Breezy Hill Orchard Fruits:
Strawberries!
Rhubarb

Couldn't figure out what to do with the parsley last week--it's still in my fridge (ahem, slightly freeze dried)...so is the 2nd head of lettuce I got. I didn't realize I could eat too much salad—having a wisdom tooth taken out doesn't really help, though.

Hopes for my pickup later: Dill instead of parsley (and I'm not a big fan of dill--but I will buy some salmon this week!), Swiss chard instead of Kale (their Kale is less than substantial), and Turnips instead of radishes (no idea what to do with radishes or turnips, really, besides roasting them or cooking them with the kale, as if I were making Turnip greens—will definitely need to consult my mom on that one).

. . . I guess if I get radishes I'd like some more of the Bib lettuce they sent the first week. Then I'll make some shrimp lettuce wraps. Getting a little hungry.

Update: No rhubarb for half shares, which means no pie for me. Just lots o' strawberries, and I'm okay with that. Lots o' kale too–trying to be happy about this, because kale chips exist, and I plan to make them.

Inspiration.

2011-06-07T20:57:00.000-04:00

Looking for a little culinary inspiration this week.

PLG CSA Week 2:

Lettuce
Salad greens
Kale
Parsley
Baby Bok Choy

And this time I found my half share of cheese!

Tonight's dinner is sautéed sesame ginger bok choy with quinoa. I've never had quinoa before but it smells nutty . . . so I'm excited to try it. Think I'll pack tomorrow's lunch before I eat, so I won't have to worry about leaving enough leftovers.

With 2 heads of lettuce, salad greens, kale, and parsley--it's looking like the rest of the week is going to be taco salad, kale salad, and . . . . Hmm I don't know what to do with the salad greens. I sautéed them with couscous last week, not knowing what to do with them then, either. Maybe I'll sautée them again, but this time with shrimp.

Anyone have any culinary ideas?

Menu.

2011-05-31T19:46:00.000-04:00

Today's the first pickup for my neighborhood's CSA!

On the menu:
Mustard Greens
Swiss Chard
Lettuce Heads
Dill
Radishes

Looking up recipes now...can't wait for the cheese and fruit shares to start.

Wants.

2011-05-18T21:05:00.011-04:00

My birthday is on Monday and my mom asked me what I would like for the special day. I've had my eye on a few things for a few years...and others as little as a couple of hours, but I still want them. So what does it matter how long I've wanted them, right?

Included in the slideshow: black + blum's box appetit ($22) and bag ($7), Josh Ritter's So Runs the World Away ($12.98), Totes Bubble Umbrella ($16.99), ASOS's Midi Trench ($129.26), Doctor Who Series 6, Part 1 Amazon TV pass ($TBD), and River Island's Canvas Flap Satchel ($68.32).

One more thing...I created a SmartyPig goal for next year's birthday. Yep, I'm already thinking about next year!

Inspire.

2011-03-22T12:00:00.004-04:00

my contribution... by Cheryl Reddick

My mother is making one thousand origami cranes with her co-workers and selling them for $1 each. All proceeds will go to helping Japan.

You can read more about the significance of cranes in Japanese culture on her blog, nikon princess.

Lets all think of how we can help through creativity! But if you think you're not skilled enough, Red Cross is always taking donations.

Stay tuned for upcoming projects.

Currently playing (on repeat): The Curse by Josh Ritter

Bloom.

2011-03-22T07:45:00.001-04:00

71st & York, 2011

Love it! So excited for warm weather--coral nail polish, flowy skirts, sandals (flats--I topple in heels), and lots of ice cream.

Trying to be okay with days of COLD torrential downpours, 'cause it's just making the trees bloom faster, yay. The trees lining 71st street, a block away from my office, were barely open last week when I took this shot--but yesterday morning it was a sea of green. Ah the promise of warmth, in freezing rain.

Spring and Fall are my fave seasons, but they go by way too quickly so I'm trying to take advantage of Spring as soon as possible, before it's suddenly 90 degrees at 7am. Potted plants (er, seedlings) are in the window, first manicure of the season has been applied, hair is curly and wild, and I've made my first JewelMint purchase for some spring jewels--which I'm anxiously awaiting. Must. stop. checking. the. shipping. information.

I have other prep work to do I'm sure, but I'm not sure what, other than "spring cleaning"... no thanks.

Currently playing: Daydreamin' (Featuring Jill Scott) (Explicit Album Version) (via ilistentoeverything)

Tunes.

2011-03-08T13:00:00.000-05:00

March Obsession: ilistentoeverything

Love this! Move over Pandora, looks like I've got a new obsession—because I really am sick of the music on my iPod.

Neon.

2011-03-07T21:12:00.001-05:00

Photo of the Day: Neil's Coffee Shop, 2011

Follow my blog with bloglovin

Re-design.

2011-03-06T15:07:00.001-05:00

This whole having a "pajamy jam day" thing is proving productive!

Finally re-designed my blog, 'cause it was looking tired. Unfortunately, I didn't take a screenshot of it for a "before" shot. Oh well. Now that it's more exciting, maybe I'll be more excited to actually, you know, use it. And maybe once in a while I'll say something of value, too.

Next on the to-do list: my website's shop page . . . or maybe I'll leave that for next weekend.

How do you like the re-design?

Duh.

2011-03-06T13:06:00.002-05:00

Love this. But not enough to buy/wear. It just feels wrong somehow. So I choose instead to acknowledge it here.

Photo: Sophomore

Drizzle.

2011-03-06T12:49:00.004-05:00

I love a rainy day . . . especially when I don't have to be anywhere. Perfect excuse to stay in bed, read a book (or AstrologyZone), do a little online "window" shopping, watch a movie, and nap the day away. Now if only I had some chocolate, things would be perfect.

Share.

2011-02-27T08:23:00.000-05:00

Just felt the need to proclaim that I've joined my neighborhood's CSA. I'm so excited, this is the first time I've researched a CSA and been able to join. Usually a subsequent move out of a neighborhood or missing the start of the season derails my plans for fresh locally grown food.

I decided to go all in and purchased the vegetable, fruit, and cheese shares. Can't wait for May 31st--my first share pickup. Yum, yum, yum.

Score.

2010-08-21T15:22:00.001-04:00

Have just completed my first visit to the Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket. And I think I did pretty well--for someone who was (and is still) starving. So I'm going to make this quick, 'cause I'm trying to come up with ideas for what to do with the vegetable (er...herb?) that I discovered while trying to navigate through the throngs of people.

I think they'll be better than lentils (sorry Mom)--but I think anything having to do with garlic is amazing. Here they are...Garlic Spears!

Anyone have any recipe ideas?

Hazy.

2010-08-17T12:53:00.000-04:00

Davis Arboretum, 2010

Having one of those hazy days of constant distractions. Everything seems shinier than the last thing...but only for a couple of minutes. Really wishing I'd brought my camera for a field trip today.

Sidenote: The above image is featured in a treasury on Etsy!

Market.

2010-06-13T15:10:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was my first time setting up shop at a flea market. I shared a table with my friend, Bri, of Get Lick'd Organic Dog Treats at the Hester Street Fair. It was definitely strange being on the other side of the table, and I still got caught up looking at what everyone else was selling. My particular favorite--and I think everyone else's, as there was rarely a break in the crowd--was Vashali Maria Aggarwal's Terrariums (above). The small globes are $29, larger terrariums, made with unique glass vases are $100, and she also takes custom orders.

It was inspiring, and all I want is to get my hands on that red moss.

Vashal Maria Aggarwal
vashali.a@gmail.com
(917) 945-4245

Feature.

2010-06-07T22:53:00.000-04:00

Davis Arboretum, 2010

Yay! One of my photos will be in the Photography Showcase tomorrow...and is currently being featured in a Treasury list on Etsy.

Summertime.

2010-06-05T13:35:00.001-04:00

Davis Arboretum, 2010 (on my Birthday)

Per usual, summer's come a little early in New York. The weather was still spring-like in California, though--rain is always tolerable when you don't have to walk fifteen blocks to work in it. Luckily, the rain held off on my Birthday.

Summer read recommendation:

Frost Bite.

2010-02-03T22:54:00.001-05:00

Upper East Side, 2010

Snow.

2010-02-01T23:58:00.005-05:00

Carroll Gardens, 2010

Otherness.

2010-01-31T19:45:00.009-05:00

To say goodbye to January I figured I'd appreciate some other Etsy sellers . . . mainly some of the items that were my favorites this month. A few of them sold out, but luckily they were re-posted. Here's hoping for the same success next month!

Pine Cone

Caffeine Pillow

Wooton Stream

Mr. Darcy Proposal Mug

Goldfish-Photography Print

photo credit (top to bottom): jennifersquires, bannerbabe, numberfortytwo, Brookish, nicolegelinas

Quote Love.

2010-01-30T21:22:00.003-05:00

"The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them."
— Maya Angelou

January Faves.

2010-01-29T23:03:00.008-05:00

Thought I'd finish January with a little look back. Here are a few of my favorite images posted to my Etsy shop . . .

Crimson

The first month of 2010 is almost over, and eventually I'll get to the point where I'll stop writing 2009 . . . . When does that happen? March? Yeah, that seems right. Around the time that I'll start to defrost AND the time will change back to reasonable daylight hours.

Precious.

2010-01-22T19:11:00.005-05:00

I love this photo of Gabourey Sidibe, shot by Brigitte Lacombe for Harper's Bazaar. I don't think it translates as powerfully online, but she still looks beautiful.

More photos here, plus her interview.

Rough.

2010-01-21T17:35:00.002-05:00

Sonoma, 2009

Now you're probably saying what's this? A bunch of rocks, why? Why? And why?

Well I don't know, really. I really love shooting objects that I can imagine myself picking up and hurling (er . . . not these particular objects) or just holding in the palm of my hands.

These stones, however, couldn't be held because they were trapped in wire to assemble a wall.

So many great things to shoot at Cornerstone . . . and I picked the rocks :)

Palm Reader.

2010-01-18T10:36:00.001-05:00

Vallejo, 2009

To do:

2010-01-16T11:34:00.004-05:00

Sonoma, 2009

Things.

Have to search for my Holga today . . . suddenly hit with an urge to shoot with something other than my Canon. Can't wait to find it, buy some film, and go shooting from the promenade just before sunset!

Resolution.

2010-01-08T16:27:00.005-05:00

Sonoma, 2009

Happy New Year! Happy first week of 2010!

I've created a resolution almost everyday since New Year's day--and I've only stuck to one.

But I just thought of a new one for today. I'm going to attempt to add a new photo to my Etsy shop everyday, it will get me to take photos in New York (something I have trouble with, especially in wintertime)--and work as a different form of marketing for my shop!

Yay for testing out new marketing techniques!

Cactii.

2009-12-24T21:20:00.004-05:00

Cactii, Sonoma 2009

Sunrise.

2009-12-24T20:56:00.003-05:00

San Francisco, Christmas Eve 2009

2010.

2009-12-21T15:45:00.006-05:00

I am having a New Year's promotion for Friends & Family for the month of January!
All of the items at my Etsy shop will be 40% off** to celebrate the new decade.

I hope you have a Happy New Year and a stress-free holiday season :)

** Enter promo code (FRIENDS&FAM40)

Wintry.

2009-12-03T11:23:00.004-05:00

Can't wait to decorate my apartment this weekend. Pine scented candle, hot cocoa spiked with kahlua, and a fuzzy blanket...mmm.

Sonoma.

2009-11-30T19:09:00.007-05:00

Cornerstone Sonoma, 2009

Sunday.

2009-11-22T10:59:00.003-05:00

Carroll Gardens 2009

Lavender.

2009-11-22T00:46:00.003-05:00

San Francisco 2009

Showcase.

2009-11-03T09:52:00.014-05:00

Central Park, 2005

Excited about displaying my photos on Etsy today as a featured artist on their photography showcase page. I hope I get lots of hearts!!

Masquerade.

2009-10-27T14:33:00.014-04:00

Hélène Rochas , "Nuit du Pré Catelan", bois de Boulogne, Paris 1946
André Ostier

My Halloween costume this year is inspired by the many masquerade photos taken by André Ostier. I especially like the image above for it's simplicity . . . basically I just need an awesome mask and a pretty dress. I'm thinking a dress with a full skirt to give a retro vibe, some killer heels, and my pièce de résistance, a mask!

Now to figure out how to construct such a mask.

What are you going to be for Halloween?

Idols.

2009-10-23T20:36:00.012-04:00

My photographic idols in order of my discovering them . . . Andy Warhol, David LaChapelle, and Cindy Sherman.

I've more recently discovered André Ostier's masquerade and "la vie parisienne" photography. His photography has inspired my Halloween costume--a recession-tastic costume--that only requires crafting my own mask and pairing it with a sweet dress from my closet (another blog post, entirely).

Oh, almost forgot . . . Annie. Leibovitz. Love her. She can capture an element of anybody's personality (which I strive for), it is entirely about the subject in that moment and nothing more.

Having the Obamas as your models, doesn't hurt either, I'm sure.

The Obama Family (Annie Leibovitz, 2009)

Blossoming.

2009-10-22T23:02:00.003-04:00

Carroll Gardens 2009

Obviously, I like to shoot into trees--typically around the change of seasons. I was downloading images from my camera . . . most images are from as far back as April. I never used any of my spring photos.

Spring is my second favorite season. Fall is my favorite . . . but when I saw this image it made me miss the anticipation I had for the season. The smell of fresh blooms, the air starting to warm, the end to all of that rain (okay so the rain continued through to the summer). Once the dry air reaches me in December I'll be more than ready to visit California for the holidays.

Grand plans.

2009-10-21T23:29:00.007-04:00

Carroll Gardens 2009

Picked up some metallic prints today for my tentative Etsy site.

Going through the trial and error of what images work with metallic printing . . . blown out images (that were submitted for "correction") not so much, bummer. Water images, like the one from yesterday's post, work fantastically.

I think this sunset image would be amazing on a 20 by 30 inch metallic print, hanging over my couch, or my bed, or anywhere really--all hanging objects are currently resting on the floor of my apartment. One day they'll make it to the wall.

Autumn.

2009-10-20T16:49:00.001-04:00

Central Park 2005