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Coincidentally lunch featured chhole which is one of Vernika’s favourite dishes

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.

Got some flat lay tips today

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.

Sometimes even a bowl of dahi could be the story

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.

Food photography & life philosophy

Which are your favourite Instagram food photography accounts? Please mention in the comments. One is always looking for inspiration.

That alu was magical

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)

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