Weather in the southern Rockies this week has been more like that of the Pacific Northwest, with clouds and rain, and high and low temperatures oddly similar.  But you won't be hearing any complaints from here.  A great majority of time in the Southwest, rain is a welcome commodity.  But for some strange reason, rain makes me hungry.  It also makes me itch to assemble photographic equipment and turn that hunger into photographs, refreshing my memory of how integrated chemistry and physics are in the great laboratory that is the kitchen.

Almost without fail, when I prepare a meal - regardless of breakfast, lunch, or dinner - I see something photographable.  Blogs are a perfect format for sharing the mad scientist's work in the kitchen.  Even something as pedestrian as a breakfast of tea and my homemade bread on the table can prompt a reaction or emotion, as does the image below. 

breakfast still life 5

The next two photographs happened spontaneously while I was assembling a sauce for what could be called a "posh" mac and cheese.  This is chemistry and physics on a grand scale in a pan.  Milk, cornstarch and spices had already been added before the olive oil entered the picture.  The surface tension of the oil was stunning, with it literally retaining its perfectly outlined shape on top of the other liquid.  When the sauce hits its boiling point, all the ingredients come together in a smooth, rich concoction.  Obviously, not something Julia Child or Anthony Bourdain would do, but the result of my curious mind.    

food - sauce in the making 2 2025 food - sauce in the making 1 2025

Food photography needs planning and coordination, not only for the food elements, but for set up and lighting.  My subject matter here was a bed of jasmine rice, covered with pinto beans, green onions, and bell peppers.  The second shot has a layer of nice sharp cheddar cheese and red chile powder added before the dish was put in the oven.

food - frijoles, rice, onions, and peppers 1 2025 food - frijoles, rice, onions, and peppers 2 2025   

Hopefully, you ate before reading the blog and if not, you now have.  I suspect you may see results of more food photography in the not too distant future.

Thanks to those from near and far who commented on last week's blog, including Steve, TTT, Tim, Carolyn, Jean & Sam, Ingrid, Catherine, Claudia, Dick & Carol, Marilyn G., Dianne J., Kay C., Brenda, Louise, & Victoria.  

I end today with a quote from Hannah Arendt, that gives one hope of thinking people world-wide defeating evil.

"The essence of evil is its refusal to think." 

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©