In the beginning, I started this blog as way for my family, friends, and myself to have an archive of recipes with photos.
I would snap a quick photo and post it. Not too many words of introduction. Just a “…remember this? It was great! Yada, yada, yada. Here’s the recipe.” I would take photos in the middle of night full flash and no cropping. (Yikes!)
Maybe I was comfortable with the photos because it was just my family/friends looking at it. Then one day you showed up and left a comment. (Double yikes!) While the comment was exciting to receive, it changed they way I baked and documented. I started to think about you guys and wanting to give you a better blog. You took the time to read my thoughts and leave a positive comment.
So, I started to think about what to bake and how to photograph. And I hopefully I have done this with improvement over time. But the other day someone left me a comment on an old, old post. I then went to the original post and cringed at the sight of the photo. What’s my point here?
I guess I am asking …have you or would you ever redo any of your old posts? Would you take down those dark, grainy, and un-cropped photos? Would you rewrite the post as well? Or do you let them stand as a marker of your growths and experiences? I would love to hear what you think about the matter. In the meantime enjoy these tender delicate scones.
Printable Recipe
In the beginning, I started this blog as way for my family, friends, and myself to have an archive of recipes with photos.
36 comments:
Those look scrummy! I have just stared my own blog and haven't even put any photos up as I know my photo skills are appaulling and I'd rather not attempt it! I am even thinking of enrolling in a basic photography course just so I don't embarass myself!
Yummy scones! I just viewed some of your older posts - I think your photos are delightful. I wouldn't change a thing - it's great to see the evolution of your blog.
Those scones = perfection. YUM!!!!!
I'm keeping my terrible photographs from my beginning blogging days the same - it shows progress and brings back memories!! :0)
Gigi, those are interesting questions! I think it's wonderful to see the improvement over the months. It shows we are learning something.
I've rewritten old posts especially if I am linking to them from newer posts. I haven't put up new pics though. Although, I might if I ever baked the same thing twice.
VERY interesting, Gigi! Personally, I haven't rewritten anything - although I did find a spelling error, and of course corrected that. But, I don't see anything wrong, really, with tweaking things a bit - especially if it meant "honing" the tone of your blog or something.
Then again, it is sort of special to see how your blog evolved. So maybe it's a balance of the two - a bit of tweaking, if necessary, while still maintaining the original progression.
I know *exactly* what you mean though - I look back at a few things and go "oh, ugh" and wish I had a do-over or find them a bit embarrassing - but then I try to shrug and let it go. But then it bugs me again - I can't WIN! LOL.
Well, I haven't been blogging for very long, so I might come back here in a few years and answer you again. But, right now, I'd tell you to let the old posts be. I love to see how people evolve and develop their style. Oh, and those scones look fabulous! :)
I think you should definitely keep the old posts. It shows how everyone learns and grows. I think that if you really want to recapture a recipe, though, do a new post on it, saying that you are revisiting it. But don't delete the old posts!
i wouldn't make something over again for the sole purpose of reposting a picture, but i have an old write-up about tiramisu where i couldn't stand the original photos, and the next time i made it i did swap the pics out. (there's one other photo i have up where i'll change the pics if i ever make it again.) i don't think i'd rewrite a post, but i do correct errors when i notice them.
love your new printable recipe feature, btw! (love scones also...)
I absolutely know what you mean; I can't bear to look at older posts now, because I get so crazy about having everything "perfect", I would never stop going back and improving old recipes and photos!
Gigi these scones are stunning! they look so delicious!!!!
Thanks for sharing and thanks for your kind presence in my life :-D
have a good day
Silvia
it's so funny that you brought this up because i was just looking through some of my older posts and thinking "do i really need to keep these?" in the end, i decided to hang on to them for now, even though their lack of quality is slightly embarrassing. i've come a long way! :)
Blueberry and almonds sounds like a nice combo for scones. They look good.
I have updated the photos in one or two of my older posts I am usually to busy trying new dishes. :)
Gigi, I'm just discovering your blog today... OMG how nice! All those great desserts and beautiful colors!
I haven't gone far enough I guess, to see any of the YIKES pictures or posts you're talking about but all I can say is that I do, one in a while, change old pictures or rewrite posts, especially if the recipe was great and I happen to make it again. Other than that... don't bother, just keep amazing us with new stuff! WOW!
The mixture of blueberries with almonds sounds pretty irresistible to me...
i bet these scones are irresistably delicious!! i have been procrastinating to do some scones.. guess i have now good reason to finally do it with this recipe!
I wouöd keep up the old post and possibly redo some favorites with a link back to the original to show how far Ive come.
Aaah, I'd leave them alone. It's a testament to your growth as a baker, photographer, documenter of things, blogger...
Kind of like how it's important we don't rewrite history. (wow, I'm getting all philisophical inside, lol).
Nice scones!
gigi darling you are too cute. you know i am a perfectionist as well...i don't post so many things if pictures don't come out right. the thing about pictures too is that what we make is edible (typically!) ... so once you eat it, it's gone and if you only have bad photos...yikes!
i don't think i'd go back and redo entire posts...i kind of like to see a blog's evolution. but i do think as someone else said, i'd swap out new photos for old ones if i happened to make the item again.
btw ... i think all your photos are fab, remember we are our own worst critics!
I LOVE scones...these look great!
I just found your site and love it! I would suggest posting about lemon-raspberry cupcakes that I have made via a recipe in Bon Appetit magazine. They are delicious! You can also find the recipe on epicurean.com. Can't wait to see the next post!
Would refine sugar be just as good as sanding sugar?
I wouldn't change or rewrite anything. The older stuff serves to show the evolution of your wonderful (and inspiring) blog. Keep up the good work!!!
Dear Anonymous,
Sanding sugar is similar to the colored sugar used to decorate Christmas cookies. The only difference is sanding sugar is slightly larger. It leaves a beautiful shine on baked goods and a slightly sugary crunchy top.
One of the lenses I see blogging through is that of development. Over time opinions and abilities change. I think it's important to see where you started and where you are now...to do otherwise would kindasorta be like trying to rewrite (your own personal) history...
j
I've been reading your blog for a while now, but just started my own. I don't think you should go back and swap out the pictures you think are horrible. My pictures are horrible and I still post them no matter how embarrassing. YOur progress gives newbs like me hope. :)
Yummy scones and great pics as always!
Maria
x
These scones are nothing short of perfection, Gigi! And I totally understand where you're coming from with the old posts embarrassment.
There are times when readers comment kindly on my photography, and I'd think in my head "You obviously haven't seen my old pictures!" :P But no, I wouldn't retake those photos, nor would I rewrite the entries. They only serve as a reminder of how much we have grown as a foodblogger, and a person, I think.
I love scones!! These look great.
About you old posts, I don't think I'd change a thing. It's a journey and the older posts show how far we've come and what we've learned along the way.
I agree with half baked, it's the journey not the destination! No matter how much I might grit my teeth looking at old pix or posts, it so good to have a record of my development.
OMG- I have not had breakfast yet and I am totally drooling! And now that I've seen this, my toast and almond butter seems inferior.
Hiya Gigi! I have an award for you, so if you care to stop by, I'd be honored.
Mmm scones, those look good. I still cringe at some of my newer posts haha. I wouldn't want to go and redo an of my old posts, but that's probably because I'd rather spend time on new posts and baking than on fixing old things up.
i wouldn't change a thing... it's just a way to look at how much progress you've made since you started this thing.
i like blueberries a lot.....hmmm
I will definitely have to try these scones - which I love to bake. They look great!! I agree with VeggieGirl, progress thru' photography. Leave the old ones, they are fun!!
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