Tuesday, March 12, 2013

This and that

Last week, I mentioned that I have reluctantly joined the smartphone world with my iphone.
The most interesting part so far, is the quality of the camera.

 On the left is the iphone picture and the right was taken with my camera both at the same time in fairly low light. I love that the iphone captures truer more vibrant color but...

in my living room with light coming towards me the iphone (on left) captured color better but the room looks quite dark. My camera just washes out everything.


On the left is the iphone photo and the muddy shot on the right is from my camera. These were taken at the same time in the same light. I know which I will be using to photograph all of my art from now on.
That painting is another, larger oil on canvas that I completed over the weekend called "Babylon". The goal was to either juxtapose or tread the balance line between happy/floral/feminine and dark/aggressive.
I most definitely erred on the side of happy/floral and it feels like a successful canvas to me even without as many dark and aggressive elements as I originally intended.

Jack in his Tibetan hill tribe hat at 9 months

Today is my son's 18th birthday.* sniff sniff * It will be his last birthday living at home and this is a bittersweet moment for me.
He almost always wants cheesecake as his birthday cake but this year request a brownie cake with chocolate ganache. There is no more budget friendly, simple yet decadent cake out there.
I start with two boxed brownie mixes and bake one each in a 9 inch round cake pan and let cool.
The icing or chocolate ganache couldn't be simpler.
  • 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
Heat the cream over medium heat without boiling. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate until melted.. This will take several minutes and the ganache will thicken as it cools.

 This sometimes needs an extra few seconds over low heat to get smooth.
 Once the ganache has thickened somewhat, use it to frost the brownie cake layers.

 Be patient. Not like me, who always pours it too soon.


This is much more fun if you let a little girl lick the spatula and pot.

9 comments:

Linda {Calling it Home} said...

What time is cake? I was just having a conversation with someone about how the iPhone takes great photos. Your art really does look so much more vibrant.

ArchitectDesign™ said...

i have the same problems with my older camera and my iphone. I would love to invest in a better camera but a. I wouldn't know how to use it b. I wouldn't want to lug it around and c. can think of so many better ways to spend that money!

Bethany [at] Powell Brower Home said...

oh my goodness - look at helen, that ham. isnt she just darling?! happy bday to your boy!!

Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies said...

Interesting about the iphone camera. We need a new camera...but our phone contract goes to Oct. Don't know if we can wait.
The cake!!!! OMG it will be made at the BLH ASAP

An Urban Cottage said...

Great experiment with the iPhone. I don't have one but I've borrowed a friends when I'm out somewhere and want a photo of something. I've been really impressed with the quality too.

Happy Birthday to your son!

The Pink Pagoda said...

I know, can you believe the great iPhone camera!? I use mine all the time. LOVE your new painting and your daughter is soooo adorable!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday J! It is a landmark birthday for sure. I love your ganache, and that darling little Helen. I haven't got an iphone yet--I'll be the last one to get the memo I think. Our professional photographer uses her iPhone for some pics-what does that say!
Enjoy your celebration,
xo Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com

Kim said...

I love the convenience of my iphone as well ... but I always thought it might be because I really don't know how to use my camera!! your daughter is PRECIOUS!! xo

Vel Criste said...

Happy birthday to your son Kerry! I understand your bittersweet sentiment, not yet at that point in my life but, I can imagine it already at times! waaaah! I will try that ganache for sure, looks really yum. And as for the pic, just wondering what iphone model and camera you have? I have an Iphone 4 and a nikon DLSR camera, and my camera takes better picture than my iphone. Although if you have the iPhone 5 (which my hubby does), it does take awesome pics.