I attended an online mobile photography workshop conducted by my friend Vernika Awal of @delectable_reveries a couple of years back. It helped improve the quality of photos that I take.
It made me shift from flat-lays, that I used to favour, to angular shots which gave far more depth and character to the pictures.
She held a class this morning which I subscribed to and joined. It was quite enlightening. Little Nimki got on my lap and listened in. I told him that he had not paid. He said he was a guest of Vernika’s fur baby (a dog) Pixel.
I later pictures took of my lunch. I kept some of the things that we learnt in mind while I did so.
What I like about Vernika’s work is that is she comes from a ‘story first’ approach, and likes to keep it real. That’s the core philosophy behind her photography as well. She keeps it ‘simple,’ doesn’t use tripods, artificial lighting etc … hence her approach is a lot more relatable for folks like me. Her classes are quite thorough and practical.
K recommends that I get up, close and personal with the food when I take pictures. That’s my philosophy too. Macro (lens/ close up mode) is the way to go.
The food should shine above all and make you drool, unless there is a larger context to it. Food versus mood, as Vernika puts it. The latter applies more during travel/ out of home shoots.
Lack of clutter, keeping things simple, focussing on things that matter…these are factors that sum up my design sensibilities and are reflected in the way I write, take food photographs, shoot videos, designed my web site… or even in the way I try to live my life. The last bit seems too far fetched? Hmmm.
Which are your favourite Instagram food photography accounts? Please mention in the comments. One is always looking for inspiration.
Coincidentally, lunch featured chhole, a dish Vernika loves. The alu recipe was from @cookwithlubna ‘s YouTube site and was fab. The chhole recipe is from @sanjyotkeer ‘s YouTube channel.
#foodstagram
(Indian food, food plating, food photography)