Don't blame Uchiko if some of the food has a funky color -- blame me. Despite the sometimes funky job the Lytro does with white balance, I think many of these photos are fun to play around with. Click on different parts of the photos to change the focus.

Have you heard of the Lytro camera yet? The Lytro is a small, unusually shaped camera that's most amazing ability is to be able to re-focus a photo after it has been taken. You can read my initial impressions and thoughts on the Lytro on my more nerdy blog.

The Lytro technology might come in handy for food photography. Focusing on food can be difficult since the camera is often very close to the food. You can click on various parts of the cafe latte above and see how the image is re-focused. Nice, right?

Unfortunately I can't recommend the Lytro for food photography right now. At least I cant suggest it as your primary camera. Why isn't the Lytro a great camera for food photography yet? First of all, the amount of post processing available to the artist is limited to the same changing of focus that the Lytro viewer gives. The artist can't correct white balance, exposure, contrast, or even crop the photo.

When I take photos of food, I spend a lot of time and effort after the shot to make it look good and convey the story I want. While it is a relief to be able to take photos without worrying about post-processing, I don't feel comfortable sharing photos that didn't turn out well. And when it comes to food, I want to do the Chef and the Kitchen's work justice. I'm sure you'll occasionally see a Lytro photo here that fits the bill, but with the current technology it will be rare.

The good news is that Lytro has expressed their intent to add features and even potentially make a more professional camera based on their technology. I think it would be nice to avoid throwing away those photos with the focus on the sauce rather than the more interesting parts of the dish.

All the lights punching up into the fog around it made it really stand out compared to the rest of downtown. For most of my walk from work to my parking garage, the Capital hides behind another building. I knew something interesting must be happening because a glowing tower of fog rose from behind the obscuring building.

When I reached the garage, I could finally see how the fog was swirling around the Capital and diffusing the light. I snapped this shot from a staircase near my car.

The bread that encased my Po'Boy at Emeril's Table Ten in Las Vegas was so good that I may not have noticed if they forgot the filling. 

The bread's texture was perfect: a light crunchy crust with a featherly light interior. Good gracious. I'm going back. 

P.S.: The fries only look gigantic because I used a crazy wide angle fisheye lens to take this photo. 

1. Visit Lotus of Siam
2. Order the Nam Kao Tod (crispy fried rice)
3. Savor the Nam Kao Tod

I couldn't get enough of the texture and the flavor. Just look at it! Doesn't it look exciting and new? I can't even look at it without feeling hungry. I'll be back.

If you've watched similar industry competitions, like the Academy Awards, you might imagine evening gowns, tuxedos, and drinks that call for an extended pinky finger. At GABF, folks are a bit more down to earth, even if they feel every bit as excited. Check out these winners:

The folks who wear the medals are hot stuff, yet all you really need to meet them and try their beer is a ticket to GABF. Isn't the beer industry great? High five!

This was my first experience at an Ethiopian restaurant. I'm eager to have many more. 

Beer themed art fills New Belgium's brewery. I have a theory that most folks would be happier working in an environment filled with art rather than a more plain environment, even if art-free means more expensive fixtures and finish. Since New Belgium has both art and really nice buildings it doesn't really prove my theory, but people working here sure seem to enjoy life.

This lenghty light fixture made of beer bottles fills a stair well at New Belgium. I'm not sure if my photo has the same effect, but the actual installation stopped me in my tracks. I really like the sense of motion it conveys.

This is where we signed in to our VIP tour at New Belgium. Check out the table made from bicycle wheels. Bikes, art, and unusual sculptures are a theme here.

You get a nice, big tasting glass inside the visitor center. Along the tour, taps seem to sprout everywhere. Like I said: fantastic place.

New Belgium has a nice keg sculpture featuring some of their values. I don't see too many businesses putting such effort in building their culture. I love it!

Finally, a mosaic surrounding one of their brew vessels. Delicious beer only tastes better in such fantastic surroundings. Beautiful!

Thanks to (512) Brewing Company for driving me out to Ft. Collins and letting me join them on their tour. Thanks again to Independence Brewery for making it possible to attend GABF!

More to come...