Making and Photographing Sourdough Bread | northern California still life photographer
A few years ago I decided to tackle the art of sourdough bread. I mixed up the 'starter' and fed it regularly until it was ready to be included in a recipe. The first loaf, I gave away to my cousin along with some of the 'starter'. She said it was fantastic...and I choose to believe her. The second loaf was good. But having used a different recipe, it didn't have the sour flavor I was looking for. Loaf number three was an utter disaster! I hadn't coated the 'proofing' cloth heavily enough so the dough stuck to it. When I tried to remove it, the dough separated. Most ended up in the pan with lots on the cloth. So, it immediately fell. Although I allowed it to rise again once I had it in the baking pan, there was no recovery to be had. Disaster, I tell you.But loaf number four - perfection! It has a crunchy crust, big holes in the center, and that fabulous sour flavor I was looking for. Delightful!!!
"The art of bread making can become a consuming hobby, and no matter how often and how many kinds of bread one has made, there always seems to be something new to learn."
~ Julia Child
(Julia's statement reminds me of photography. No matter how many genres or techniques one tries, there always seems to be something new to learn.)
Sourdough Bread
mixing the sourdough starter
feeding the starter
kneading
rising
baked and ready to eat
fresh from the oven
Watch for the announcement of my upcoming online Still Life Photography Workshop.
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Tips when photographing food:
~ Make a plan ahead of time and have everything organized so the food doesn’t have to ‘wait’.
~ Strong compositional elements for photography apply here too - lines, light, angle, balance, etc.
~ Have cloths nearby for wiping any spills on the set or your hands!
~ Use a remote covered in plastic wrap or protected with a cloth for activating your shutter when you are making the food and photographing at the same time.
To see more of my Still Life Photography, go to Still Life In Neutral on Instagram.
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All images are available for purchase.
Please CONTACT ME at nadeen@nadeenflynn.com to purchase prints or schedule your mentoring session.
Nadeen Flynn is an award winning northern California fine art photographer. Living in the greater Sacramento area, she specializes in fine art landscape, nature, and still life photography. Nadeen’s style is authentic, fresh and personality-driven. This retains the timeless features of photography that create family heirlooms. She offers in-person workshops and mentoring. While currently living in rural Northern California with her husband and a couple thousand walnut trees, she posts regularly to Instagram.
Currently booking mentoring and workshop sessions. Locations include Yuba City/Marysville, East Nicolaus, Wheatland, Lincoln, Woodland, Roseville, Rocklin, and the greater Sacramento areas.
(530) 633-7575
A few years ago I decided to tackle the art of sourdough bread. I mixed up the 'starter' and fed it regularly until it was ready to be included in a recipe.