To Market To Market – WPC Satisfaction
“If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled.”
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
How many of us remember the old rhyme “to market to market to buy a fat hen”? In times past markets were the only way to buy produce and protein for the daily table. Of late the street market is once again thriving in cities and towns everywhere. Farmers and local growers enjoy an outlet for their products and consumers can choose from an array of fresh foods of all kinds.
“He who is not satisfied with a little, is satisfied with nothing .”
Epicurus
One of the stops along our travel route this past month was in Santa Monica where we spent time with good friends at the local farmers’ market. While much can be said about the quality and freshness of fruits and vegetable here in the south and across the country, to me there is nothing quite as wonderful as fresh produce in California. Driving from LA to San Francisco, we were amazed by the incredibly vast fields of olives, almonds, avocados, oranges, garlic – you name it we saw it growing!
“The more challenging the obstacles in life, the greater the satisfaction in overcoming them.”
Murad S.Shah
Because we had walked to the market we were a bit restricted in what we could carry home, but that didn’t stop us from buying some of the most delicious peaches, strawberries, tomatoes and breads I’ve ever eaten. Beyond the pleasure of the food, we also enjoyed people-watching and of course photography 😀.
“To be able to look back upon one’s life in satisfaction is to live twice.”
Kahalil Gibran
One interesting activity during this visit was helping my friend research and purchase a new camera. Since I’m not in the market for equipment I’ll admit I’ve not spent much time studying what’s out there. Things have certainly come a long way since I bought my last weapon several years ago. Searching for an easy-to-use, lightweight, fixed-lens alternative that wouldn’t break the bank led to her choice of the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000. It has an incredible zoom range of 25 to 400mm and good performance in low light – perfect for her upcoming trip to Africa (and yes, I’m insanely jealous of her trip!). The farmers market provided a great opportunity for a quick photography lesson and some shooting practice.
“Satisfaction comes from working next to 500 photographers and coming away with something different.”
David Burnett
Hopefully the vendors that day were satisfied with the results of their efforts – I know we were more than satisfied with our choices. As for my friend’s camera selection, here’s hoping that by the end of her trip she’s satisfied with her decision. I’ll be awaiting her results with eager anticipation!
WPC: Satisfaction
It must have been fun helping your friend narrow down her camera choices. I had a different Lumix for a while, and loved it. I agree about California produce – it just makes me jealous every time I go there!
My grandmother used to say she was going “marketing” and when we visited, she would go nearly every day. Her phrasing was a holdover from growing up in the early 1900’s in West Virginia, but by the time I was aware of her habits, I don’t think there were any real markets left – just a supermarket and maybe a few specialty stores, where she and my grandfather retired (another island south of you). By now, I’m sure the farmer’s markets have come back again – she would have loved it.
Beautiful set of photos – love the little girl
YUMMY!!! love these beautifully shot veggies…so perfect ….also loving the words that accompany them 😜
I am interested to learn how it goes with your friend’s new camera. I would like to find a simple camera for hiking and other trips where I want something more than my cell phone, without the hassle of my DSLR and accessories. My favorite shot in your collection is the cabbage (or is it lettuce? I don’t know, I get my groceries from the store in nice labeled shrink wrap. >grin<)
Unfortunately that camera is a bit too bulky for what you want John – I’m looking for the same thing. Maybe the smaller FZ200??? As for the lettuce/cabbage, that’s actually an indelible plant that grows all over the area. Not sure WHAT it is! >
Good thing I don’t do the grocery shopping, who knows what I might bring home!
Looks like a good outing to me 🙂
Tina, these are all so splendid! So are your quotes and thoughts. BTW do you know David Burnett? He is an old friend from my time living in North Arlington, Virginia as an art director. Cheers!
Thanks Jann, much appreciated. Sorry, don’t know David but I see he’s nearly a neighborand is only a few streets away. We have a very small photography community here on Kiawah so I’m amazed we’ve not met. Will drop him a note and see if we can connect. Thanks for mentioning it!
I hope you can meet him. He’s a legend in the photojournalism world. Mention our connection if you like!
I don’t know about your friend’s decision. I am afraid that camera gear is like the farmers market. There is always a better tomato out there.
LOL Eduardo. Happily my friend is new to photography so hasn’t been bitten by the “better mousetrap” bug! >
i like how you manage to find perfect quotes for your pictures 🙂
Thanks very much Schreya, I take it as a personal challenge 🙂
🙂
Satisfaction – I’d say – reading your beautiful posts, first thing in the morning! The B/W photo of the little girl says a thousand words, in pictures!
Thanks Veena – much appreciated! The little girl was too good to pass up 🙂
Beautiful post Tina! I love the farmers market. I’m hoping to have produce to offer at our local farmers market myself next year. You saw a lot of beauty on your trip 🙂
Thanks NorCal – don’t envy you the hard work of farming but sure would love to have those fresh veggies and fruits on hand!
It is hard work, but I thoroughly enjoy it 🙂
Beautiful colors and textures! Great composition too. I just ate dinner and your shots are making me hungry again!!
LOL thanks Patti. The good news is you can eat about as much as your stomach will hold of these fresh beauties and not gain a pound!
I like your interpretation of (everyday) satisfaction.
Thanks Rupali!
I enjoyed your photos, commentary and great quotes. I especially like the one by Old Preacher Spurgeon, Kahalil Gibran, and also the “500 Photographers”
Thanks Michael – the 500 photographers is my favorite! I was thinking it fit with the photo of the little girl 🙂
Loved loved your post!
Thanks so much Dahlia, glad you enjoyed.
You put that nursery rhyme ditty into my head for an entire day yesterday! The photos made up for it! 🙂
LOL, sorry about that Lex – I hate it when that happens 🙂
Beautifully captured, Tina! Market, what a wonderful interpretation. 🙂
Thanks Amy – I love the markets and thought it was a good fit for the theme.
A beautiful post as ever Tina!
Thanks Adrian! It was a fun trip
you certainly came up with the goods here Tina – I find focusing en masse difficult but you have spread it so well in the peppers and the beets
Thanks Laura – the markets certainly offer a great opportunity for creative photography.
Absolutely love that phrase market to market! I heard it quite a bit during my childhood in Australia. It always feels like you are spoilt for choice when it comes to taking something home from the market – just so many selections sold by so many different personalities too. My favourite part of markets like these is the cheese selection if they have one – could stand there and taste cheese all day and probably spend a lot more than I should 🙂 So kind of you to give your friend a few pointers with her new camera. So lucky of her to have a new time and I’m sure it will get a good workout on her trip to Africa. It’s going to see the world 🙂
Many thanks Mabel – funny you had the same nursery rhyme a half a world away!! I agree with your thoughts on the markets but must admit cheese is probably last on MY list. I love a good cheese but don’t like strong flavors so tend to stick with the ones I know. Boring but true 🙂
The freshness of the veggies is very tempting and with your friend’s new camera you have captured it so well! Great quotes, too!
Many thanks Savita. Truth be told I was using my own camera that day while my friend was using hers. We had fun sharing ideas and results!
Wow, what a fantastic take on this week’s topic!!! Absolutely love it. As one of the comments says – A very satisfying post! Lovely.
Thanks so much Viveka – visit and comment both much appreciated!
Tina, my pleasure. *smile
A very satisfying post Tina. Btw I have a Panasonic Lumix FZ200 and it’s low-light capability is awesome. Plus it’s easy to use and although bridge cameras have their limitations it is convenient not having to change lenses ☺
Thanks NBI, curious about whether the Lumix is your only camera or if you also use a DSLR with long lens. Your bird shots are amazing.
Currently I only use the Lumix. Previous to that I used a Fuji Finepix. I used a DSLR with several lenses in the pre-digital days, but did not want to fork out a lot of money to replace all of that when I finally went digital, so compromised on a bridge camera. I try not to use the digital zoom, but confess that I sometimes do just to get the shot even though it can be a bit grainy. I try to work within the limitations of the camera, but am still tempted to stretch it a bit even when I know I shouldn’t 🙂
I’d certainly fill my basket with those peppers!
🙂 You and me both !!
You have the greatest quotes. Are you that superbly well read or do you search/google?
NVM. I see you search for quotes. I suspect you are well read also, based on your selection.
Thanks John, and yes indeed I search far and wide for the quotes that fit my posts. Makes me happy that people actually read them LOL. And I do love to read as well. Appreciate your visit and comments
Perfect choice and wonderful images for the theme.
Thanks very much Maverick!
Tina, your veggies are just asking to be eaten! Perfect! And who’s the girl in the last photo? Your granddaughter?
BTW, I looked up the Panasonic you mentioned in your post — you cannot buy a good lens for that money! If it is a good camera, maybe we all should switch to something like that! 🙂
LOL thanks Svetlana – you do get what you pay for but these days you can get lots more than you used to!! As for the little girl, no she was just a sweet little thing studying the peaches and I thought she made a good subject!
California is certainly verdant. I like the egg shot, but they’re all delicious.
janet
Thanks Janet! I found it interesting that the eggs were so different from each other.
Great photos!! And, oh my gosh, those quotes are perfection! A Very satisfying read!!
Thanks so much Janet – glad you enjoyed!
Great shots, great quotes and great choice of camera be your friend 😊
Thank you, thank you and thank you Andrew!
OMG, Tina, I love the quotes you found with your beautiful images! I saw a couple of those but seemed too lofty for birds feeding in mine, LOL!
LOL, many thanks Terri. Always a quest for the perfect thought 🙂
Great photos! I love the markets, too, and then Home again, Home again! Pasa buen dia!
Thanks very much PP!
Such pretty photos.
Thanks very much Irene
Wholesome healthy and very satisfying post to read (and look at). Your quotes are always inspiring and am glad your friend is coming in this directoon
Thanks very much Abrie. I was in SA years ago and know how much she’s going to love it. Honestly my favorite trip ever and that’s saying something!!
WOW Tina – I do believe their are some posts available at SA Tourism. Just speak the word and I arrange an interview!
love the photos- the colors of the vegetables- all of it!
Thanks very much DM – the colors and flavors were wonderful!
I thoroughly enjoyed your photos and your text! 🙂
Thanks very much RPT!
🙂 Hi Tina,
the market in Santa Monica is great. It’s been ages since I’ve been there.
I like buying fresh laid eggs – the color is so much brighter than those purchased in the grocery store.
I’m curious about your friend’s camera, too!
A very HAPPY weekend to you 🙂
Thanks HF! The eggs were really delicious as was everything else we bought that day. And my friend is really liking her camera so far 🙂
Hi Tina,
I love your market photos. I am going to work with mine and see if I can make them look as good as yours. 😊 xo Pam
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I have no doubt Pam!
Looks like a win win photograph escapade! Love these veggies and I know she loves that she was being tutored by one of the Best!
Thanks GF, the veggies were fab as was our visit. I enjoyed helping her get started and know she’ll be loving the new camera in Africa!
Farmers’ Markets are the places to shop up here, and I think you can find one within driving range any day of the week. Love the little girl shot. 🙂
thank you Judy – may favorite too. I know you live in prime-time farmers market turf!
I love photographing markets – what a great subject for the challenge. Satisfaction all round, including my satisfaction of viewing your wonderful photographs 🙂
Awww, thanks Jude. Appreciate your stopping by.
You make ordinary things look gorgeous. 🙂
What a lovely compliment Imelda, thanks very much!
Beautiful shots, Tina. Makes me want to run to the market.
LOL, thanks Jane. Heavens knows your markets are among the very best.
Beautiful photos. I just hope with your continued help my photos will turn out as fabulous.
I cannot wait to see your shots from Africa Pam. Loved talking photography with you 🙂
Really enjoyed your interpretation of the market, especially the “Perusing Perfect Peaches.” I can hear her saying, yum, yum.