le grille-pain de la classe moyenne. une photo du matin.
I was washing off the breakfast dishes when I turned and looked over my shoulder, out toward the gardens. The most humble of appliances caught my eye and I marveled at the way the soft light of morning wrapped around the metal chassis. Just behind me on the butcher block prep table was a camera set to photograph in monochrome. Or, in the parlance of the ordinary man; black and white.
I picked the camera up, carefully focused the standard lens on the front and gently tripped the shutter button. Then, placing the camera back on the table, I spent a quiet moment just observing the play of light as a breeze blew through the trees outside. Trees overburdened with new green leaves, creating the effect of ever-moving illumination. Dancing beams of soft light. Mirrored by the brushed aluminum finish of my favorite kitchen tool. The one I use most often. And with the best results.
If a refrigerator gives us problems I try to be patient; waiting for parts, waiting for service people to arrive. But if the toaster goes awry I'll have it replaced in a day. Some things are critical to modern life. The toaster more so that a phone or a blender.
While I stood admiring the toaster in all of its glory it dawned on me that it had been a week since I last emptied the crumb tray at the bottom. I did so, being very careful not to drop toasted and re-toasted bread crumbs on the newly washed kitchen floor.
Simple pleasures. Toasting bread. Irish butter. Warm Coffee. A quiet start...
The refrigerator seems to be repaired now...
12 comments:
Toasted leftover baguette and café au lait.
but does the toaster work properly??
kid regards
roger fisher
An ode to a toaster.
So simple, so nice.
A toaster.
thank you
Cool photo--and processing. Noticing the little things.
How I hate those pop-up toasters! I grew up with what I think may be called a flip-over toaster where lowering the door turns the toast to be toasted on the other side. I think it dated to the 1920’s.
I highly recommend the rosemary salt bagel at Rockstar Bagels. Certainly your toaster has a bagel setting? ;-)
Hi Kirk
Your photo caused me to go fetch my Willy Ronis book looking for one of his quotes.
Instead I found another quote:
“The moments that I capture are not intended as some universal truth. They express my - probably rather naive - vision
of my own personal universe. They are small steps on the road toward a poetic representation of modest happiness”
I think you're full of it Kirk, but you do have moments. This post reminded me of one of the best things of being a photographer, that being conscious of the subtle beauty of unheralded daylight.
Por eso, gracias.
Omer, I'm sorry I wrecked your car and forgot to tell you about it. I'll get your credit card back to you when I'm finished ordering a few things. I guess I can see why you left such a "half nice/half shitty" comment. I'll try harder next time.
And yeah, the light was nice...
"but does the toaster work properly??"
Roger, like a dream. Just perfect toast every time.
Breville! Great choice! I bought a Breville toaster oven five years ago. It is definitely my all-time favourite small appliance. It makes great toast, and does an excellent job of heating, baking, broiling, etc. various other types of food. It has also been extremely reliable. I hope that you get many years of use out of that toaster, Kirk.
Thanks Craig, I had a Breville toaster previous to this one but it got dropped off the kitchen counter onto a Saltillo Tile floor and met its doom. That toaster lasted at least a decade of daily use. Toast the right bread and you'll be so happy!
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