Sunday, October 6, 2013

How to Make the Perfect Hard Boiled Egg

You are probably used to me talking about photography, but I have been thinking about this all day, and I would have loved to see someone post this back when I was first experimenting to figure this out...So I am taking a break from talking photos to talking kitchen for a minute.

Plus, it's my blog, and I can write whatever I want... LOL!!

This is the question moms, cooks, and people have been asking through the ages...How do you make the Perfect Hard Boiled Egg? 


Don't you hate it when you to to peel a hard boiled egg, and the shell sticks to it? pieces coming off in tiny, grain sized portions, or ripping the egg entirely?



And howcome, sometimes, it's perfect - it seems to peel off in one or two pieces? What's the difference?


Well, it's in HOW you cook the egg, turns out. How do I know? Because I have been boiling eggs since I could boil water about the age of 8. However, I just recently finally figured out how to make them perfectly. 

Now, my recipe is for well-cooked eggs. If you like yours softer, just cook for less time. Like I said, it's HOW, not how long, or what kind of pot you use.

Ok, so here it is (for one dozen eggs, well-cooked):

1. Start water boiling
2. Take eggs out of fridge, and place in luke-warm water in a bowl while the water is boiling (unless you are a last-minute, convenience freak like me, just run them under warm water - I use one of those baskets that holds eggs called Chef Basket)
3. When water is at full boil, SLOWLY lower the eggs into the pan
4. Set timer for 20 mins
5. When timer goes off, remove eggs, and immediately place them in Cold/cool water.

Now they are ready to peel!

You're Welcome.


~Capturing The Moment~
     ~Phaedra~





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Friday, August 16, 2013

Foto Friday! Best Photo Place of the Week...

We photographers spend a lot of time looking for "The best places to take photos." 



We stop in the middle of the road when we see something interesting, even when our kids and husband are like - "we're hungry, we want to go home..." what's another hour? 


We Google, map, ask, and inquire about it.






There are ENTIRE websites, communities and blogs dedicated to finding it...Places to see before you die, amazing travel destinations, etc. 

here's the kicker:

It never seems to be close to me, or somewhere a client wishes to go...apparently a 2 hour drive on a dirt road and a 3 mile hike is too far for family portraits (lol)...

This never-ending quest is why I originally named this blog Best Photo Places. I was looking for great locations for shoots...

Now, it's my weekly Friday feature.


Most of the time, we have to make do, and we forget how easy it is to find a great location.


Best Place of the Week is...

A little place under a bridge near Queen Creek, AZ. I found this driving home (as I said, we stop at random times when we see interesting stuff), then later did a fashion shoot there right before sunset during golden hour, and it turned out to be an ideal location!





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~Capturing The Moment~
     ~Phaedra~

More Photos on my website: www.ejpics.com
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Thursday, August 8, 2013

To Watermark or Not To Watermark?


That is the question…



There is a lot of controversy out in the world of photography about whether or not to watermark. Many people feel that it is a distraction to the image, while others are afraid their hard work will be stolen to go on someone else’s marketing campaign, or just outright ripped off with someone giving credit to themselves or taking credit from others.
Although some watermarks are ugly and distracting, and actually do distract from the image, a small watermark should be used, and here’s why:

Many of us want our images out in the blogosphere, and others to SHARE our work – that is, after all, how we get our names and our work out there, and get to be known. Here is the problem: after one or two shares, the original artist is no longer attached to the photo, and exif data (explained here) is stripped by many websites. Once this happens, our name or business is no longer associated with our photos.

The Fix: Make a small, opaque, but CLEAR watermark with your name or company name in the corner of the photo. Yes, it can be cropped, and yes, if someone is really out to steal work, they can do it. However, MOST people are out to share beauty, humor, or originality with others, and don’t know how to preserve the integrity of the original artist.


When I see a photo I want to share, I always look for the original artist so I can attribute the work and direct it to THEIR website. I am the one posting, and simply by clicking on my profile or my name, they can find my info. It is also really frustrating to wonder if the person posting the photo is an artist, or just likes to share pretty pictures.
So – I say Watermark – but tastefully!


What do you think? Should you watermark? Do you hate it/love it when others do? Leave a comment below!

One other piece of advice: Place your name/biz name as part of the photo name in the file as part of the name.

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~Capturing The Moment~
     ~Phaedra~

More Photos on my website: www.ejpics.com
Follow me on Facebook: Please 'Like' my page for inspiration, daily photos and updates!
Follow me on Google+: Please follow for updates, advice, tips and daily photos!
Find me on Twitter: @EJ_Photos


Sunday, August 4, 2013

Cosplay Model Shoot

Another amazing and fun photo shoot! This one was with +Nicholas Pappagallo Jr who runs the Photographer's Adventure Club - an expanding club with chapters all over the US.

Each month, the club features a networking and model shoot opportunity - this month was a Cosplay Model Shoot event featuring model, Aurora O'Brien - along with her was +Kiersten Culley, who is an aspiring actress, model and singer. She dressed in a red and black +Naruto - Anime & Manga costume.


We set Kiersten up on the stage, and several photographers who were waiting their turn with Aurora were up and taking her picture. She was having such an amazing time, and was so much fun to work with. She is so natural with these kind of poses.

Ashish Mehta, One of the other photographers from Plaid Hippo Productions Photography, offered an additional costume for her - SteamPunk - This was a great addition to the shoot.

With the extra creativity that is Steampunk, I was inspired to play a little with colors in ways I don't usually. but this was so much fun, I had to try!

Mixing black and white with color is usually saved for people who specifically want it, and it is quickly fading fad. However, with this type of scene, I thought it appropriate to play with it a little.


I hope we get to do some more of this style soon.


~Capturing The Moment~
     ~Phaedra~

More Photos on my website: www.ejpics.com
Follow me on Facebook: Please 'Like' my page for inspiration, daily photos and updates!
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Find me on Twitter: @EJ_Photos
- See more at: http://best-photo-places.blogspot.com/2013/08/photo-of-day.html#sthash.OlalA5Wc.dpuf




Thursday, August 1, 2013

Photo of the Day

 Good Afternoon, and Happy Thursday! Today has been a day of organizing, having fun with different Apps, and getting ready for summer to be over (unfortunately, the weather outside is still 100+ degrees)!

I had alot of fun shooting her as a Faerie in the park the other day - we thought that going early would spare us from the heat, but by  9am, it was already scorching at 96 degrees outside.

I love taking photos of this particular model, because she does a great job, no matter what the conditions are!

Have a great rest of your day!
~Capturing The Moment~
     ~Phaedra~




More Photos on my website: www.ejpics.com
Follow me on Facebook: Please 'Like' my page for inspiration, daily photos and updates!
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Monday, July 22, 2013

Introducing the Best Art Show in July: Flowers Flux Silence





Flowers Flux Silence 3rd Friday art show – final “show” but you can see the art until the end of July at Skyline Lofts, Downtown Phoenix in the Gallery. There will be a new show beginning August 2nd




Flowers Flux Silence – an amazing, intimate art show held in downtown Phoenix in the Gallery at Skyline Lofts Apartments, hosted and created by artists, +Sharri Weinberg  & Rebecca Langford, also featuring the Giclee work of Elizabeth Bayham, along with live painting with fellow artist, Jason Nye.





 When I first walked in, I felt a little shy with my camera, not sure if it would be welcome with the artists and the artwork. My breath was taken away by the amazing work of the three main artists, the bold colors and fluid work of Rebecca Langford, the intimate and heartfelt work of Sharri Weinberg, and the simple, clean zen-like work of Elizabeth Bayham. The Hors d'Ĺ“uvres table was a work of art in itself – with delectable treats of strawberry, chocolates, fruit, cheese and crackers. Beautifully arranged and ready to sample.






                                                                 

Artwork by Rebecca Langford
Artwork by Jason Nye
Artwork on wall - Giclee work by Elizabeth Bayham


A perfect addition to the show was artist and painter Jason Nye. I had the privilege of speaking to him during the show, learning a little bit about his impressionistic style clearly influenced by greats such as Pollock, Monet, and Van Gogh.



Inspired by his grandmother at a young age, Nye aims to inspire others, especially young people. "If I can inspire a young person, the rest takes care of itself," is what he said when I asked about his art and work with children.




During visits to his grandmother’s house as a child, he enjoyed looking  through her art books – the first painter to really catch his eye was Picasso. He loved how the shapes gave the effect of “tricking the eye,” and became instantly fascinated. Other favorite and inspirational artists include the impressionist, Monet, the raw emotion of Van Gogh, Dali’s Surrealism, and the use of color and depth by Jackson Pollock.



Jason using the tool he created for his
"controlled splatter"

Nye’s style is a type of splattering, but controlled to give a 3-D style look that combines nicely with the soft, enticing scenic views and soft colors of Monet’s work. What he really appreciates about Pollock’s method is how it gives a depth of color not reached by simply using strokes. When he combines these techniques, it produces a whole method with traits of his own, creating a new style.





If you would like to see more of Jason Nye's work, or purchase a painting, you can contact him through his Facebook Page Here


**Artwork displayed is for sale**
If you want more information on how to purchase, contact me!


~Capturing The Moment~
     ~Phaedra~




More Photos on my website: www.ejpics.com
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Friday, July 19, 2013

Best Photo Place of the Week

Beautiful, magical, ancient. 3 words that describe the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona.

Not only is this an amazing place with fantastic views, but a hub of research for paleontologists, and archaeologists.

From the beautifully colored clays (different layers for each geological time period - yes my geek is showing) that create these amazing views to the petrified wood - now stone evolved from a marine environment millions of years ago that used to be a lush forest.


The ruins and rock art that are being lost on a daily basis to erosion and vandalism.





I started out taking a trip in school here as an extra credit opportunity in a science class where I would have the chance to hike, take pictures, and see locations only open to us as students.


I became part of the research team, and fell in love with this magical place.

























~Capturing The Moment~
     ~Phaedra~




More Photos on my website: www.ejpics.com
Follow me on Facebook: Please 'Like' my page!






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