Set Sail for Kamari Dining

This assignment was quite difficult. It wasn't what I expected for a Monday, that's for sure. Especially starting a new topic. However, Tamara must have had some strong faith in us as she gave us our "options" to approach our five daily photos.

Today, unlike our previous week where we learned to use our cameras and its features, we did things a bit differently. We were given 4 magazine options and their websites. The concept was that with our five photos we had to "illustrate" an article. :) We imagined that we were taking the photos for a written article that was being published to their website. Our options were; Wine Spectator, Bon Appetit, Conde Nest Traveler, and Architectural Digest.

Based on the URL, we were to research the site; find out its purpose, its ideas, topics, audience, things like that. Stuff that we would need to know if we really were writing/photographing for them--things that would help our photos succeed in the eyes of their viewers.

I chose the www.cntraveler.com and my imaginary article was one of those "secret spot", "hidden treasures" "must try this" type writings. I'm sure you've all read something like that; the "can't pass this place up while (here)" things.

Anyway, I chose to photograph one of our favorite places here in Kamari--Navy's. :) A local restaurant, cafe/bar. After very politely asking the owner (who knows Peter pretty well) for permission to shoot his treasure, I began to wonder around and take in all the nook the little place had. It was quite tough, figuring out what "stood" out, what would draw me to the article if I was scrolling through the webpage.

After quite a bit of frustration (and a very large, delicious, piece of chocolate cake), I settled on a few photos.

Set Sail for Kamari Dining: Navy's Restaurant, Cafe, & Bar. 

To Die For Chocolate Cake

Aperture 4.5

Shutter Speed 1/20

ISO 200

Greek Salad 

Aperture  4.5

Shutter Speed 1/40

ISO 100

Wine Selection

Aperture 5.6

Shutter Speed 1/2

ISO 200

Reading Notes Option 1:  The Importance of Shutter Speed

First, to introduce you to my reason behind choosing these photos I want to remind you that I chose to "write/photograph" for Conde Nest Traveler. I was drawn to Navy's because of its delicious food, dessert, drinks, and its welcoming/exciting atmosphere. I wanted to illustrate to my "readers" what intrigued me; why I like it so much. Now, this might seem silly because the general demographics of Conde Nest Traveler are as follows: Median Age 42.6, Median HHI $93,259, Gender - Male/Female 47% / 53%. 

Yet, I believe that because of these numbers I was able to choose photos that were mature, appealing, sophisticated, classy, and interesting; while trying to convey my "secret spot, must try, hidden treasure" idea.  

As mentioned before, shutter speed is important in gaining the correct exposure because it allows for light to hit the media/film for a certain amount of time. Peterson states that shutter speed should be made a priority for photographers because of its ability in working with low light shooting when a tripod is missing.  This is significant because all of the photos from this post were taken inside Navy's dining area--not a very well lit place at that time. There were some light fixtures, but to set the tone/mood of evening dining, it was more of a romantic light; dim and more sepia-like. All of which adds to the ideals listed earlier; mature, classy, sophisticated, unique, etc. (And I didn't have a tripod...)

 In order to capture the already dark bottles, (without a flash and its ugly glare) I had to increase my ISO (but not too high because if I ever wanted to blow this baby up and place it a wall somewhere, I would want a clear photo) and my shutter speed; allowing what light I did have onto my digital media for a longer period of time. Notice the shutter speed for the wine photo was one 1/2 of a second. This means that my camera allowed what provided light there was to hit my media for one half of a second--a slow shutter speed. I was able to "lighten" my photo by manipulating the camera rather than flicking on a bright florescent light and avoiding an ugly flash reflection in the glass bottles. 

How did I do this without causing a dramatic amount of blur to my photos? (Which is what usually happens to photos if the shutter speed is quite slow and a tripod is absent.) With the low light, I was able to lower my shutter speed, but also creating a tripod/stand with my arms, my table, the floor--a solid surface under my arms. Don't think I'm a expert yet though, I did have countless blurry photos to go along with these ones. And, my camera has an IS--image stabilizer to help me out. 

:) 

Like The Comfort Of Your Own Home

Aperture 8

Shutter Speed 1/8

ISO 100

Sit, Dine, Drink, Enjoy. 

Aperture 4.5

Shutter Speed 1/50

ISO 100