Photography

What makes a photograph compelling? What is it about a particular image that touches something in you and evokes an emotional or sensual reaction? When I look at some of the great photos from history, I think one thing that ties them together is authenticity; the capturing of a moment of reality without manipulation or artifice.

Richard Avedon’s heartbreaking portrait of Marilyn Monroe (1957) seems to contain every detail of her life and untimely, tragic death. Yet the perfection of this image lies in its imperfection. Not every hair is in place, shadows remain where perhaps they might not, we see the woman underneath the makeup, the person inside the persona. Its genius is in its authenticity.

I think what makes Dana’s photos so delicious is the fact that she uses available light almost exclusively. She doesn’t engage in the kind of trickery that has become commonplace in food photography today, where everything from motor oil to hair spray is applied to food to make it seem more appealing. You’ll find none of that here. All of her photos are of the original article, unaltered and edible and we think that shows through.

Thanks so much, Joe. For me, it’s about capturing the visual moment. What I see is what you get, not what I think you should get.  I find beauty in everyday life and document it in its simple, natural form. I hope my photography will always convey this.

-Dana

One Response to “Photography”

  1. Emrys Says:
    November 11th, 2009 at 9:49 pm

    And I love the way you capture those moments, Dana! I think you’re right, Joe, the authenticity does show through… deliciously. Any reports of yr readers taking a fork to their computer screens yet?

    Keep it coming!

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