October 31, 2010 by Cynthia
First up, Japan! As mentioned in last month’s update, I had the unique opportunity to travel to Japan where I spent three days in Kobe and three days in Kyoto. View images here. Food was a highlight. While there, I was indeed introduced to takoyaki, also known as Octopus Balls. While I admired the satisfied looks on peoples’ faces as they popped the delicacies into their mouths, I decided to abstain until my next trip.
I did indulge in some of the best and freshest sushi I have ever eaten. Just before departing Japan, I saw a Michelin man dancing in front of a bookstore. Here’s why. My favorite food discovery was the art of preparing food for display.
An unexpected visual treat was to stumble upon the Festival of Ages, and to trek to Kurama outside of Kyoto to attend the annual Fire Festival. More pictures forthcoming.
Special thanks to recent guest contributors, friends and family who shared their images, including Lorraine’s Rainbow, Keith’s Sunrise and Frank’s Rose (below).
Publication Updates
- A Boston-based nonprofit serving the homeless has selected one of my photos for its walls, Harbor Rocks.
- Steve’s Kitchen Window appears in the November/December issue of Orion Magazine, in bookstores now.
- Monday, November 1st, visit the Evolving Critic for a guest blog about my photographic adventures along the Charles River.
Upcoming
- Inspired by his years of traveling in Japan, guest contributor Steve will write about sake.
- Photos of New England in autumn.
- Updates on winter sales events, silent auction participation, and other upcoming exhibits before year’s end.
And that’s the scoop, folks. Thanks for reading!
Posted in Guest Contributor, Inspiration, Kitchen Inspirations, On the Road, Photography, Photography Exhibits, Publication Updates | Tagged Charles River, Festival of Ages, Fire Festival, flowers, food, guest contributors, Japan, kimonos, Kobe, Kurama, Kyoto, octopus balls, Orion Magazine, Photography, sushi, takoyaki, temples | 1 Comment »
October 28, 2010 by Cynthia
A beautiful image captured yesterday by Lorraine.
Posted in Guest Contributor, Inspiration | Tagged Brooklyn, Photography, rainbow | 2 Comments »
October 27, 2010 by Cynthia
As you walk around Kyoto, you’ll notice in the windows of restaurants or any type of establishment selling food items, the most beautiful displays of freshly prepared delicacies. Shrimp, appearing as if caught just that morning, top noodles and float in bowls of clear broth. Sushi artfully arranged on bamboo platters glistens in the sunlight. In front of the Italian restaurants, calzones spill melted cheese onto white plates. It is amazing as you press your face against the windows to realize that every single dish is a fake. Every scale, every shell, every bit of liquid is synthetic. But the craftsmanship is of such a level as to make the mouth water even after you realize the dishes are plastic!
Posted in Inspiration, Kitchen Inspirations, On the Road | Tagged fake food, food arts, food photography, gyodan, Japan, Kyoto, Photography | 1 Comment »
October 26, 2010 by Cynthia
It was an unplanned treat, traveling to Kyoto just in time for the Jidai Matsuri or The Festival Ages. In this annual event, over 2000 people parade through the streets of Kyoto in traditional costumes from Japan’s feudal history.
Posted in Inspiration, On the Road | Tagged Festival of the Ages, geisha, Japan, Jidai Matsuri, Kyoto, Photography, samurai, traditional costumes, warriors | 1 Comment »
October 18, 2010 by Cynthia
I think they must be an aquired taste, octopus balls. I have seen them each morning in the hotel buffet. I even placed one on my plate and was encouraged by the golden crispy exterior. It looked like hushpuppies from my youth. Except hushpuppies are just deep fried bits of seasoned cornbread. Pry apart an octopus ball. Then the truth is revealed: pale puffed bread steaming fragrantly and nestled saftely therein , soft pink-gray tentacles. I stared long and hard at the little suction cups imagining how they might feel against my tongue. Not exactly the experience I wanted for breakfast. Though I consider myself a fairly adventurous person, I could not do it. I could not bring the fork to my mouth. I did take a picture. Stay tuned. 😉
Posted in Inspiration, On the Road | Tagged Kobe, octopus balls, road trip, travel | Leave a Comment »
October 15, 2010 by Cynthia
The challenge of internet research for me is that I can start my research at one very focused point and then somehow find myself meandering through the tangled World Wide Web, eventually ending up in unexpected places. Like today. I was researching famous letters, when I chanced upon the website dedicated to Dan Eldon and his journals.
Eldon was a 22-year old photojournalist killed in Somalia in 1993. Later his mother published his personal journals. These journals revealed to those who did not know Eldon an amazing and creative young man. A man who through his work is still inspiring others to this day. You can read more for yourself via the following links:
Dan Eldon: Artist, Activist, Adventurer
Deadly Destiny: Remembering Photojournalist Dan Eldon
Posted in Inspiration | Tagged activist art, Dan Eldon, inspiring artist, photojournalism | Leave a Comment »
October 11, 2010 by Cynthia
On my mind of late has been the idea of the missed picture. Was there a moment when I should have taken a picture and instead I “wimped out?” It is not a question raised lightly. Usually, if I see something and I happen to have my camera, then great. If I don’t, then I simply have to be present and enjoy that moment. And maybe that’s the key word: enjoy. The incident that I purposefully missed was not one that I think of with joy.
The moment took place when Steve and I were traveling around down south. We entered an establishment through a gate. On either side of the gate entrance stood black lawn jockeys. Now before I continue, let me be quick to state that everywhere we traveled people were welcoming and inclusive, and if I stood out as the only person of color, no one made mention of the fact. As we left the establishment, having had a great time inside, Steve asked if I wanted to take a picture of the lawn jockeys, as an image that I could use to provoke conversation about a topic that people find difficult to discuss. I said no. We drove away.
I have no image captured in pixels, but the moment will remain with me. All the moments remain with me, when I am reminded of the complexities of race in this country and how that complexity has played out over time. And still does.
Posted in On the Road | Tagged black lawn jockeys, missed pictures, musings, Photography, race | Leave a Comment »
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