Thursday, August 18, 2011

Deep, Dark, Decadent "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Cake

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Deep, Dark, Decadent "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Cake

with

Mint Chocolate Glaze


This is my variation of the famous HERSHEY'S

"Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Cake

Recipe can be found HERE.

I used HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa &

I melted Andes chocolate mint squares & added them to some Hershey's

chocolate syrup to drizzle on top.

My drizzles kind of puddled...I need lots more practice!



I have been reading Lou Manna's FABULOUS book, Digital Food Photography



& I can't begin to tell you how much I have learned in just the past few days.

This is an incredible resource for anyone who loves to take photos of their food.


Excerpt taken from Lou Manna's bio:

Lou Manna is an award winning Olympus Visionary photographer whose work has appeared in national ad campaigns, major magazines, and more than forty books. After shooting for the New York Times from 1975 to 1990, he went on to establish his own Fifth Avenue studio, where he works with corporate, advertising and public relations clients to create photos that can only be described as "exquisite". He has a sense of style, color and composition with an inherent sense of beauty.

Lou recently authored his first book, Digital Food Photography, the only book on the art of food photography devoted exclusively to digital technology. He is currently writing another book and teaching digital food photography workshops and private hands on classes in his studio. View Lou's work at www.loumanna.com.

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Following his tips,

I tried to capture the glow of this one lone Rainier cherry.

I used the little white plate with the curved edges to echo the luscious curves of the fruit.

Oh, I have SOOOO much yet to learn!


To see some other people who love to photograph their food,

please go visit the following parties I'm linking to:


Yvonne at StoneGable for her

On The Menu Monday

Michael Lee at Designs by Gollum for her

Foodie Friday

&

The Tablescaper for her

Seasonal Sundays

Thank you, Ladies for hosting such fun parties each week

&

Thank YOU for visiting The Gazebo House.

You're welcome to stop by anytime.

Somebody come help us eat up all this cake, PLEASE???

fondly,

Rett




35 comments:

  1. Wow Rett, Gorgeous! Yes, kid, I'm talking about YOU ... and that amazingly decadent chocolate cake!

    The cherry picture is stunning, truly a work of art! Your eye for composition and your skills as a photographer now match the artistic gifts you already possessed. It's been a joy to watch your journey in Blogland.

    XOXO,
    Bill

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  2. Rett, I'm trying to stay away from sweets and this isn't helping. LOL Wow! I'm with Bill. Your composition and skill with the lens is awesome. You are one creative lady! Thanks for sharing the recipe and the book recommendation. I'm going to get a copy of this book. ~ Sarah

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  3. OMG, that looks decadent! I need some! I will see if my library has a copy of that book, or will get it for me. Great shots!

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  4. Your photos are really beautiful. I think they look extemely professional and the cake look delish too!

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  5. I'm dying here... why do you torture me so? I love your glaze... made with my sister's favorite candies. Super fantastic photos.

    :)
    ButterYum

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  6. Talk about "plating"......gorgeous! Reminds me of the TV show, "Master Chef". You'd be perfect on there! And the cherry picture.....amazing!

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  7. Holy Moly Rett that cake looks beyond chocolate. I'll be over today to share with you, chocolate is my favorite. Your pictures are stunning and I can't wait to see more as you learn about food photography. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Oh Rett...your CAKE...deep, dark & decadent is right!!

    *drool*

    What fantastic photos!! I need to get this book! Your little cherry is picture perfect too! I recently got the book Plate to Pixel, but haven't cracked it open yet.

    Gorgeous~ my yogurt for breakfast is going to be SO unsatisfying...:-)

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  9. Lovin' your pics Rett! The cherry one is just gorgeous! I have the coffee, all I need now is a piece of cake:@)

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  10. I just want to grab that perfect cherry off of its perfect plate and pop its juiciness right in my mouth! Fabulous,Rett.

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  11. Your photography really is beautiful. And your cake? Oh my goodness. I am picturing my daughter's face if I served her a piece of that. She would think she had died and gone to chocolate heaven.

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  12. This cake looks delicious! Your pictures are beautiful. Thanks for sharing. ~ Ruth

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  13. Oh, I wish I could stop by for a piece of that luscious cake! What beautiful pictures of the cake & the cherry!!!

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  14. Wow, that cake looks delicious. I wish I could pop on over right now and have some! That book souns great too. I wish I could take better pictures but I don't think it will happen until I get a better camera.

    About your pinterest question... well, I'm not an expert in Copyright laws so I have no idea about the answer-sorry! I do know that Pinterest has a page about the issue of copyright: http://pinterest.com/about/copyright/

    When I post something to my blog that I have pinned I embed it so that the all the details of the source show up on the bottom of the picture. When you first click the picture you are sent to my pinboard and then when you click on the picture again it takes you directly to the site where it came from.

    Sorry I can't help any more than this.

    Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! Happy weekend.

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

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  15. We must have chocolate cake on the brain this week, Rett. Your cake your photos are spectacular. I recently bought the same book but haven't gotten into it yet. Guess I better get on the ball.Your cherry shot is great!

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  16. I need to drive up and have you make me both the steak/avocado salad and this cake! Looks absolutely delish!!! Your photography is magnificent, Rett! hugs, Sue

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  17. Gulp! Now that is one beautiful chocolate cake! Oh how I would enjoy having a piece of that while talking to you.

    Your cherry picture is just beautiful. I would like to frame that for my kitchen!

    You are such a talented friend!
    Donna

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  18. I should be swooning over your book, pics and new talent... BUT CAKE SPEAKS TO ME!

    Oh my I am wild over it...

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  19. Yummy! I can feel my blood sugar rising! Thanks for sharing.

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  20. Your chocolate cake looks amazing. The photo with the cherry is absolutely stunning.. I love it! Can't wait to see what you'll share with us next! xo marlis

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  21. O, Rett...I, too, love taking photos of food...not of flowers, not of people, not of places...but FOOD. I had no idea I had this interest until I started blogging.
    I can't wait to read some of these tips. I don't have and never will have, a nice camera..I have a couple of inexpensive point and shoot. Can't afford a better one so I do the best I know how with what I've got. And I have such a great time doing it. :))

    O, got so excited to read the tips, nearly forgot to say I am having a giveaway and thought you might like it. Come by and put your name in the hat. :))
    xo bj

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  22. Rett,

    The cake is making my mouth water. The cherry photo is wonderful. I'd say you are learning a lot from this book (which I have placed on my wish list). Have a fun week!

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  23. Hi Rett
    Thought I'd drop by for a visit and found a decadent cake staring me in the face. :-)
    I may have to look for this book too because I find it hard getting the right angle for the tea parties I join each week. The cherry is an excellent shot!
    Hope you are keeping well.
    Judith

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  24. Gorgeously delicious..both the cake and the photos! I love the way you plated the cake. I didn't know that there were books devoted just to food photography (although I probably should have guessed...there are books for everything!!) I might have to look at one myself and get a few tips! Great job on the cherry picture!

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  25. Hi Rett
    That cake is downright decadent!
    I love drizzles that become puddles, please don't change a thing.
    Perhaps I'll try the recipe and serve it to Sarah when she comes to stay with me next month!
    The cherry image is stunning, I'm going to have to take a look at this book and get some tips.
    Thanks for sharing the secret.
    Maggie

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  26. Beautiful cake! I am impressed with all your photography. Thanks for sharing the book suggestion.

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  27. My mouth is watering looking at that photo. Wow! And I don't even like cake!!!

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  28. My hat I am drooling all over my keyboard! I certainly need advise to take better pictures and will take a peek thank you very much!

    Veronica
    www.tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com

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  29. Hi Rett,
    Decadent indeed! Your photo's are awesome and I love coming to your blog. Great eye candy! Just stopping by from OTMM, thanks for sharing!
    Miz Helen

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  30. I cannot believe that cherry!!!

    Great to have you be a part of Seasonal Sundays. Sorry I've been so delayed in visiting.

    - The Tablescaper

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  31. This is my first time visiting you blog and I have to say, you have a lovely and amazing blog. This chocolate is truly decadent! Looks gorgeous and delicious.

    I'm hosting a giveaway on my blog now. Please stop by to enter if you're interested.

    http://utry.it/2011/08/utryit-turns-one-more-macaronsoh.html

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment. I read them all & each one is so very special to me & I try really hard to return the visit!

fondly,
~Rett~