Donna Hay styling and photography challenge #1
We all have our own heroes when it comes to food photography and styling and I’ve always been a huge fan of Donna Hay’s style and all the photographers she works with. It’s an uncluttered and beautiful style where the hero of the photo is always the food. Years ago, when I first started taking photos of food I found that it helps to look at some really good examples and try to analyze what makes that photo so good. Is it the light, is it the style or a combination of both? I even wrote a post about it more then two years ago, where I replicated one of Donna’s dishes from the magazine.
My version of the ricotta and white bean salad
There has also been a similar challenge on Flickr running for a while but that was geared towards any photo and I want to make this specifically about Donna’s recipes, so that’s where this challenge comes in.
For the very first challenge I thought to start with a fairly simple recipe of this white bean and ricotta salad. It’s the dish I made in 2009 so I know it’s not too difficult to do.
The styling does not involve many elements so the perfect way to start looking at the original photo and see how it was lit, how it was styled and how you would try to do that too. The original photo is from issue 42 of Donna Hay Magazine and the photo is from Chris Court
Original by Chris Court on the left
And here is the challenge recipe to make. The timing of this is slightly different then described in the rules below, but that is because it is the first one… You have until the end of september to recreate this dish (which is also delicious by the way) and to make your own version of the photo.
Ricotta and white bean salad
Yield: 2
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Ingredients:
- 400g cannellini beans ((or white beans, 1 can))
- 1 red onion (small)
- 30g black olived (pitted and halved)
- 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley (leaves only)
- 1-2 red chili (small and sliced)
- 125g cherry tomatoes (halved)
- seasalt
- black pepper (cracked)
- 100g ricotta (fresh)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
Directions:
Place the beans, onion, olives, parsley, chilli, tomato, salt and pepper in a bowl and toss gently to combine. Divide between serving plates and top with fresh ricotta. Combine the oil and vinegar and spoon over the salad to serve.
While Donna is famous for her brilliant and easy recipes she is equally famous for her inimitable styling. Of course she is helped along by fabulous photographers such as Con Poulos, Chris Court or William Meppem. So this challenge is not only about recreating a dish, it is about trying to come up with an equally brilliant styling and photographing job. I know… not easy but this is all about learning!
Rules:
- Once a month (on the 3rd of the month) I will give you a recipe plus the accompanying photo out of the Donna Hay magazine. I will try to make it seasonal but can’t promise anything.
- You have that same month to produce your post. You can post it any day you like just as long as you finish it before the end of that month at the latest.
- You have to produce that recipe, alterations to the recipe are allowed to make sure any dietary restrictions are met. But only minor changes!
- You have to cook and STYLE the recipe trying to replicate the photo as best as you can. If you think you can do a better job then the original photo, by all means feel free to make your own changes to the styling.
- Shoot the dish and then write a blog post about it. It would be great to add notes on how you took the photo and how you styled the dish, so that other people can learn too.
- Link back to this months blog post about the challenge and link back to the Donna Hay Challenge (DHSPC) page here
- Leave a message on the post that is up here for that month, saying that you completed the challenge and link to the post on your site so others can find it too.
- If you want to use the original photo in your blog post as well as the recipe be sure to link back to the Donna Hay website plus the photographers website. They will both always be mentioned in the monthly challenge posts.
- I cannot stress this enough; but I am certainly not telling you to be a copycat and adopt someone else’s style as your own. While we do copy for this challenge, the goal here is completely different. It is all about learning how the light affects your image and how styling can make or break a photo too. Once you know all of that you can begin to develop your own style!
As you can see the rules are simple. The challenge, however is not. Each month a winner will be chosen who produced the best dish/photo of the month and will be posted to the Hall of Fame. That is the only reward you will get out of this challenge. That plus eternal fame ofcourse… 
Approval has been requested and received from the Donna Hay team in running this challenge. I do ask you to make sure you always credit the right source when using some of the original images. Thanks!
Appetizer
Asian
Bread
Breakfast
Desserts & other sweets
Healthy
OMG i LOVE this idea Simone!!!! So so so cool – and I adore all of Chris Court’s work. Will definitely be fun to try this challenge
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 10th, 2011 at 12:42
I thought it was a fun idea too!
Thanks Jenn.. I’m sure you’re gonna be doing a cracker job on this! (and hey, the first one is easy!!)
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Very well done! Both versions are wonderful. A great event.
Cheers,
Rosa
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 10th, 2011 at 14:25
Thanks Rosa. Hope you have time to join in too!
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I think it’s a brilliant idea, I only wish I had the time to participate… I will stay tuned for the posts, though.
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 10th, 2011 at 14:26
Thanks Miriam. There is always a next month ofcourse.. Would love to see what you come up with!
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Cool Idea!! Will keep an eye on Jenn and try to submit my pic too
Need blue gels though ;p
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 10th, 2011 at 14:26
Can’t wait to see what you come up with Alessio!
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What a splendid idea!! I will be sharing this challenge with my fellow foodie friends today. Guess what we will be attending? Yes, a food photography and food styling class with Jennifer Olson. She is a wonderful photographer from Boulder. I have been taking classes with her in the past.
Looking forward to your challenge. Thanks.
Greetings form Colorado
Kirsten
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 10th, 2011 at 15:29
O that sounds like great fun Kirsten! Have a good time with your class which I’m sure will be fabulous. Would be great if you and some of your fellow foodies could join in the challenge. The more the merrier!
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You did a magnificent job of recreating it Simone! I love the idea! Can’t wait to see how everyone does!
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 11th, 2011 at 11:33
Thanks Reeni! I hope you will be joining in the fun too?
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Wow, great. I only make it to add one photo to the similar challenge on Flickr and it was amazing way of learning how everything in photo will work together. This one will be tough for me as I don’t have any oblong plate nor white napkins, but I will do my best.
The recipe is lovely, so simple that you can keep your mind on styling. Thanks for starting this challenge
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 12th, 2011 at 09:42
Thanks Wiosanna. Yes the idea is to keep the recipe (at least the first one) fairly simple so the styling and photography can take center place here! Can’t wait to see what you come up with.
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I watched Donna Hay on tv yesterday. I love her fast, fresh and simple approach to food!
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 12th, 2011 at 09:42
I wish we would be able to receive the show of Donna here too but unfortunately it is not possible to watch here. I love her approach to food too!
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Cool idea,
I hope I can get back to regular blogging and photographing now and will try to chip in and participating in this one. Deadline the end of September gives me some hope that I CAN make it ;o)
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 12th, 2011 at 09:43
Ofcourse you can make it Astrid..
Would be fun if you join!
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Astrid — September 12th, 2011 at 10:20
aye I’ll try. you see life has been crazy around here lately… but miss you all so much!
Simone (junglefrog) — September 12th, 2011 at 10:28
Miss you too dear… It seems sooooo long ago already! Hope you can see make it and hope all is well!
Love it! I’m going to try this!
The rules are simple, so it has to work for me.
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 13th, 2011 at 07:47
Great! Can’t wait to see what you will be making.. (well, ricotta bean salad obviously..lol)
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Your reproduction is as good as the original, Simone! I too love her styling and all those photographs on her site. Is any alteration allowed in case of vegans? I am not sure whether I will participate regularly but would like to if I have the time. It might help me educate myself.
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 14th, 2011 at 22:23
Would be fun if you can join in Harini. Alterations are allowed for dietary purposes so that’s all good!
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Oh this should be fun! I hope I can get around to taking part. I love all three of the photographers style. Nice one Simone!
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 16th, 2011 at 08:54
Would be great if you can join in too Meeta!
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Hi Simone!
That’s a great idea! Well done for you initiative!
I think I won’t be able to take part this month, as I’m like crazy packing loads to move out by the end of September. But I’ll most definitely be joining next month’s challenge!
Cheers.
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 16th, 2011 at 12:24
You’re welcome to join in any month you want Deborah! Next month is also gonna be a nice one (I know, as I picked the recipe already..lol)
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What a fabulous idea. I love Donna Hay, adore the photos in her books. I am so going to try this….I need to learn how to take better photographs. You inspire me so much Simone. Thank you xx
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 16th, 2011 at 12:24
Great Colleen..
The more the merrier!
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OMG! totally in for this; pretty interesting challenge
!
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 17th, 2011 at 11:13
Great Drina! Looking forward to seeing your entry!
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This is fabulous! I love Donna Hay. I am definitely up for this.
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 18th, 2011 at 23:35
Great Edwina! And by the way… and that counts for everyone; dietary changes are allowed where needed!
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Count me in! I absolutely LOVE Donna Hay. I’ve been collecting her magazines and cookbooks for years. I am planning to move soon and have culled through my mag stacks, but every single one of hers is going with me! Funny too is I was looking at issue 42 yesterday and spied that recipe. So I’m taking this all as a sign from the kitchen heavens and climbing aboard.
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 26th, 2011 at 23:18
O you should definitely try this Gail. Hope you have time in between your moving to make this recipe. It’s perfect and quick!
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Just posted my entry!! Love that this recipe was naturally gluten free too
http://jenncuisine.com/2011/09/white-bean-and-ricotta-salad/
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 26th, 2011 at 23:19
Whoohoo!! The first entry is in! Thanks Jenn… Job well done!
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That’s a great challenge! We’ll definitely share the idea to our readers and we’ll try to participate for the next challenge!
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 27th, 2011 at 22:39
Great! Thanks for sharing with your readers too!
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Oh this sounds gr8 will try to do this!
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 28th, 2011 at 21:24
O cool! Hope you make it Arti!
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Simone, I managed to do it in time, here it is: http://www.luculliandelights.com/2011/09/inspiration-or-imitation-donna-hay.html
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 29th, 2011 at 16:32
Thanks Ilva! Glad you could make it on time for the challenge..
Love the results!
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A great challange, I’m following contributions to it and from everyone I’m learning something on how to improve my photograpic abilities.
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 29th, 2011 at 16:32
Thanks Rosella! Maybe you should join in yourself..
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Here it is! What fun! Thoroughly enjoying sharing in on everyone experience and insights.
http://astackofdishes.blogspot.com/2011/09/donna-hay-challenge.html
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 29th, 2011 at 23:15
And what a great job you did Gail! Love the results!
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*waves frantically* do you accept latecomers? I finally managed to make the recipe and shoot it. Am processing the pics now and will have the post up by the end of the day I hope!
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Astrid — October 1st, 2011 at 18:02
sorry for replying to myself, here is my entry: http://foodblog.paulchens.org/?p=4646
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