Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Sharing is Caring


I love blogging. It's gotten to the point where it's a lot of work, and I have to start actually scheduling it into my day to make sure I can be consistent and regular in my posting, but even on nights when my eyelids are struggling to stay open, I like to have a bash at my keyboard and see what comes out. 

One thing that I do love about blogging and the community as well, is that there's always so much sharing going on, whether it be places to see, opportunities to catch up with people or advice on blogging or photography technicalities. 

Whilst I love to learn, I also love to share and recently had two awesome opportunities to. 

First, through a friend, I was asked to do a mini guest lecture, via Skype, with an English class doing a food and travel writing capstone at the Northern Arizona University. 

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Although I had never met the lecturer, and I was incredibly nervous that I wouldn't actually be contributing any insight, it ended up being a really fun 25 minutes, where I did a short spiel about writing for an audience, and then answered a couple of questions about different aspects of food blogging. 

Sure, I had to wake up at 4am in the morning to do this, but was totally worth the laughter and the satisfaction and joy I got from talking about what I love doing.

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I also recently, with the help of my good photographer friend Jeff, went to a get together with a bunch of photographers and shared some tips on shooting food in a restaurant situation. It was great to have Jeff there, as he filled in all the technical gaps in my very hands on, touchy-feely approach to photography. 

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Photo borrowed from Sid, one of the workshop attendees!

Again, I was worried I wouldn't be able to give much valuable feedback, as I was talking to a group of photographers who did practise regularly, although generally specialised in portraiture. However, it was wonderful to have people come up to me and ask questions and advice and see that people were getting a bit of take home value. 

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Who can really complain though when there's food involved as well? We did the very casual 'workshop' at Cafe Blac's Reading Room, which is an absolutely gorgeous function space, with fanned out book's making up the ceiling. The place is kind of whimsical, and incredibly welcoming. 

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Food's pretty scrummy too, loved my Blac Smash (their version of smashed avocado), although by the time I had let everyone photograph it, and showed them how to do an egg porn 'money shot', my food had gotten a little bit cold! I also gave my hand a bit of work out being a hand model, and showing how a little bit of action in a photo, or human presence, can give a warmth to the photo. 

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The owner, Taras Maciburko, also let us have a little nibble on some of their sweeter offerings. Who can say no? 

All in all, a lot of fun, and I hope to do more of this sort of stuff soon!

Cafe Blac
707 Glenferrie Road
Hawthorn

Café Blac on Urbanspoon


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19 comments:

  1. Totally agree that blogging can feel like a bit of a "chore" sometimes but like you I love the community around it so I keep bashing out those posts. I wish I could've gone to your photography workshop!

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    1. Haha, would be fun to do an inter-state workshop...would need to be developed a little more first though :)

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  2. 4am.. girl you are a good one! I love the community side of things too, most of my friends are bloggers now haha!

    I totally know what you mean about scheduling aside time. With daylight savings over I've had to schedule in cooking/photography days. so tragic :P

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    1. Haha, god, if I had to do that too I'd go nuts! Maybe if I start actually cooking more I'll have to deal with all that daylight fun too... D:

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  3. Wow that is dedicated to do a 4am class but good on you Ashley for spreading the love!

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    1. Haha, thank you! It was a lot of fun to do :)

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  4. Wowee go Ash! :D 4am though, ooooouch. You are dedicated. :)

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    1. Hehe, thanks! :) Yeah...I'm dedicated to my craft..! Or...something...? :s

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  5. It's really cool (and obviously very accomplished) that you're doing all these things and spreading the knowledge!

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    1. Aww, thank you! :) I don't think I'm very accomplished yet, but takin' baby steps! :)

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  6. I love Northern Arizona, you should visit them in person next time. :)

    Those food photos look fantastic!

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    1. I would love to get the opportunity to! I'm in the states later this year, but no time to visit. Think I may have convinced all of them to visit me though...!

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  7. Well done, it's great when working hard is a bit of fun too. Very glad that you shared the location of that lovely room ... I think I'd have to pop in even if the food didn't look so good!

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    1. Thank you Keren! :) I think everyone should pop by Cafe Blac, even if just to have a coffee i the pretty reading room :)

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  8. Everything's coming up Ashleeeeeeeeey!!

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  9. Hey there, this is Jessie from the English class. Just wanted to say thanks again for your insight and willingness to meet with us! Super appreciate it and love your blog. Stay brilliant.

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    1. Hi Jessie! Thanks for popping by and your lovely kind words! So glad you guys got something out from talking to me. Would love to see your blogs when you guys get them live! :)

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  10. Wow that's so cool that you did a guest speech for a class overseas :) Love how the world is so connected now with the internet.

    I also agree apart from eating, I love the food blogging community and how we get along with each other so well!

    Damn I would've loved to go that photography class I realyl need some pointers how to take better photos!!!

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    1. Hehe, maybe I should plan a blogger photog class sometime...I'm so not qualified enough though, bahaha :)

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