Six years
Today is a special day – it’s my sixth blog anniversary. 🙂 🙂 🙂
I normally post a cake, but I don’t have one this year because we’ve been away and I actually forgot that this was coming up.
Instead, here’s a little behind the scenes post. This was meant to be longer but I ran out of ideas, so if you have any burning questions – go for it.
I always love seeing other people’s photo set ups. Have you ever wondered about mine?
Here it is!
I’m really, really, really fortunate to have quite a bit of natural light in the living room via the glass double doors (and about a billion windows – the window situation in this house is slightly ridiculous).
The two big sheets are just painted plywood – one side is black and the other is white. There’s two pieces of white cardboard as reflectors, and I hang a translucent curtain to diffuse the light.
I do have an off camera flash, which I used a lot in the early days of the blog, but very rarely nowadays. I tend to plan my photo taking so I can use natural light – a bit of a pain in winter because it means I need to have cooked/baked by 4pm at the latest so I can take photos. (All recipe food bloggers are nodding in agreement right now.)
Most photos on the blog are taken with a Nikon D90 and the main lens I use is a 35mm 1.8, which is on the camera 95% of the time. It’s small, it’s light, and I like the focal length. I like it a lot.
For any non DSLR shots, the iphone has replaced my point and shoot because it’s so convenient. And the photo quality isn’t bad if the light is good – camera phones have really come a long long way.
For photo editing: Lightroom Lightroom Lightroom.
I generally blog from the dining room table or the couch – very non glam. There’s normally a cat (usually the fat dumb one) on my lap, although as you can see from this photo, right now the skinny cat is on me.
They like to help.
And finally… here’s my spork collection – so far.
Why sporks? To be honest, I’m not totally sure.
I’ve always liked the word spork – I find the sound of the word very pleasing (weird, I know). Plus there’s an elegance to the utensil that not many appreciate since it’s mostly considered to be this daggy, uncool plastic thing.
But look at them – they deserve to be appreciated.
Six years in and this is my 684th published post. 🙂 When I first started, I thought I would get bored after a while, but so far it hasn’t been the case. Blogging has given me a lot over the years, but the things I most appreciate are the people I’ve met and the friendships I’ve made.
And the creation of the spork collection. That comes pretty close too. 😉
Ashley
August 7, 2013 @ 3:00 pm
Woohoo! Happy Bloggiversary! 🙂 You do have quite an impressive spork collection!
Agnes
August 12, 2013 @ 9:50 pm
Thanks Ash! 🙂
And the spork collection is ever growing.
Keren
August 7, 2013 @ 3:35 pm
I feel so disillusioned … I thought you had a gorgeous rustic table …
My blogging is slowly becoming cat assisted too, although at the moment she mostly wants to chase the cursor around the screen! 🙂
Thanh
August 7, 2013 @ 3:53 pm
The trickery of photography eh. I believe those apples are fake too haha.
Agnes
August 12, 2013 @ 9:50 pm
Haha it’s photography – EVERYTHING IS FAKE.
Thanh
August 7, 2013 @ 3:51 pm
I love the photo setup. I need to do the same I think. Also my house has like 50 windows but not a single one is in the right lighting conditions. How can that be. So annoying. Hence it’s terrible lamp shots which I hate.
Be careful with that spork collection. You wouldn’t want them to go missing *muahahaha*
So glad we all write a food blog and hence met. Who else would we go out to eat with?
Agnes
August 12, 2013 @ 9:52 pm
It’s nice to have found friends who understand the food obsession. 🙂
And you’re never getting anywhere near my spork collection.
Reanna Clark
August 7, 2013 @ 5:19 pm
Happy blogiversary! I have to admit, I have only recently come across your blog, but I love it. And I look forward to reading more in the future!
Your photo set up is beautiful – photography skills are still something I need to develop!
Reanna.
Agnes
August 12, 2013 @ 9:53 pm
Thank you! And thanks for commenting. 🙂
Catherine
August 7, 2013 @ 6:10 pm
Congratulations on 6 years of blogging! I love your little photo site set up and always look forward to your bi-weekly updates 🙂
Agnes
August 12, 2013 @ 9:54 pm
Yay thanks 🙂
Hannah
August 8, 2013 @ 7:23 am
I was about to make my standard joking comment about something, but you know what? Not this time. This time I just want to say honestly that I’m so glad you started your blog and that I met you. Love and love. xo
Agnes
August 12, 2013 @ 9:54 pm
Hey gorgeous. <3
Bryan
August 8, 2013 @ 7:49 am
Happy Bloggiversary, Agnes. 🙂
Agnes
August 12, 2013 @ 9:55 pm
Thanks Bryan 🙂
Lisa
August 8, 2013 @ 6:53 pm
Happy sixth anniversary! xxx
Agnes
August 12, 2013 @ 9:59 pm
Thanks LisaPisa! xx
leaf (the indolent cook)
August 8, 2013 @ 10:07 pm
Happy 6 years and HURRAH, I finally get to see your spork collection in all its glory! And nawww, love the cat on the lap.
Agnes
August 12, 2013 @ 10:00 pm
Yes there is the spork collection! Mostly for you, haha.
Damn cats always want lap time whenever we sit down. So cute.
Daisy@Nevertoosweet
August 9, 2013 @ 12:26 am
HAPPY BLOGVERSARY!!! 😀 so sorry I haven’t visited lately have been overseas! I had no idea that you’ve been blogging for so long 🙂 Have really enjoyed reading all your posts! Keep up it!!
I really liked the behind the scenes because I have always wondered how you take such pretty photos!!! I still want lessons from you guys!
Agnes
August 12, 2013 @ 10:01 pm
Remember, we take payment in pork belly and money. 😉
GourmetGetaways
August 10, 2013 @ 6:50 pm
Conratulations on 6 years!
I love your spork collections 🙂
Agnes
August 12, 2013 @ 10:03 pm
Thanks 😀
Iron Chef Shellie
August 11, 2013 @ 5:52 pm
Woah 6 years!!
Loved this post, good to see your set up 😀 … and spork collection!
Congrats!
Agnes
August 12, 2013 @ 10:03 pm
We should all show our set up! The reality behind the “glamour” haaaah.
msihua (@msihua)
August 11, 2013 @ 10:04 pm
Happy Bloganniversarry! What a brilliant way to celebrate a monumental post! Love the behind the scenes 🙂
Agnes
August 12, 2013 @ 10:03 pm
Thanks DD 😀
alexis
August 12, 2013 @ 8:34 pm
congrats! i think ive been reading this for the past 2 years but ive never seen a photo of you! ever!
Agnes
August 12, 2013 @ 10:05 pm
Hehehehe my face looks like a spork.
Nah it stays off the blog, it would feel weird to post a photo of myself. 🙂
Bro
August 19, 2013 @ 10:03 am
Woohoo! 6 years and another 6 more years to come with good eating and holidays. And remember if you ever need help eating, i’m a phone call away! haha <3 <3