Friday, August 20, 2010

Market Analysis

Hey, someone took a bite out of my still life. (Can you find it?)

Late summer produce abounds at the South Pasadena Farmers Market, and some of it is as artistically inspiring as it is tasty. For 11 years the market has been a fantastic place for food (and creative inspiration) but now that the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce has taken over operations it just keeps getting better and better. The Chamber continues to add a broader selection featuring new farmers. (In addition to traditional produce like watermelon you can now find stonefruit and organic Asian greens. Take that other farmers markets!) The South Pas market has more certified organic growers than ever before with even more coming on board under the wise and watchful eye of market manager Greta Dunlap. Greta knows her business: she served as an advisor to the Secretary of Agriculture for eight years and is President of the California Small Farm Conference. Greta also is a member of the California Federation of Certified Farmers’ Markets, the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA) and the California Alliance for Family Farmers. Read about her right here.

You'll find more and more community-oriented events in the coming months, too. Next Thursday, August 26th, the market presents a Back to School Safety Fair and Healthy Food Gathering. Count me in!

10 comments:

Judy Williams said...

And you do still lifes too?? SHEESH!! I have never been good at them. I can't seem to balance things right, or the light is off.

Your Farmers Market is fabulous. We have one near here that is up and coming but doesn't quite compare, although it is coming along nicely. I love the home baked goodies and the array of fresh fruits and vegetables. It's fun to dabble in a taste of fresh goat cheese next to a vendor selling tabulleh beside someone who has made divinely fragrant soy candles.

You did good on this one, honey girl. The light, colors and composition are superb.

dbdubya said...

I like that the solid black background that matches the handle on the knife. How did you do that? It looks like the scene is suspended in space.

Jilly said...

I've always loved Farmers'Markets in America. AND I love watermelon except not last night when I ate too much! A super photo and arrangement.

Auntie S said...

Oh, yummm! Looks like the slice of watermelon in the foreground was scraped, bitten, licked by Mirabelle,

In one glance this photo made my heart beat, it's wonderful!

I like the red, black, and white crispness of all the elements in this shot, especially the shimmering knife blade that adds energy and excitement to a watermelon feast on a hot summer day.

Shanna said...

Jim goes there for tabouli, on a regular basis.

Beautiful shot - and great analysis by Sumi Ko.

Anonymous said...

This is a brilliant photograph. Is there anything you can't do? Love it.

Laurie Allee said...

Thanks, everyone!

My kitchen counter is the secret behind still life shots like this one. The previous owners of our house installed beautiful black soapstone/quartz amalgam countertops which are the perfect backdrop for photographing absolutely anything. I have great halogen lights on a dimmer in there, too, so that's how I can get the light right. All I did with this shot is push the contrast up to bring out the glisten and darken the black even more.

Incidentally, that was the BEST watermelon. Seriously. Top ten eating experiences of my life. It will be hard to find another watermelon to beat that one!

Until tomorrow...

TheChieftess said...

I'm as impressed at the quality of the watermelon as I am of the quality of your shot Ms. Laurie!!! Yummm sounds good!!!

Mike said...

This reminds me of those old paintings of baskets of fruit with dark backgrounds. You can tell I don't remember my art history. It's a great shot.

The Farmers Market is getting even better. Now I know why. Thanks for the info. By the way, what is stonefruit?

PJ said...

That just says summer to me. The colors are scrumptious.

wv tootheat