Interview with Seema Rose

 Happy New year everyone! I hope and pray that you all had a great start to 2023.

I am super excited to introduce one of my favorite food and lifestyle photographer, Seema Rose. I have always been fascinated by her style of uplifting storytelling using the right mood, light, textures and composition. Her pictures are magnificent that gives a different perspective each time I look at them. She brings out the magic of every food, makes it look mouth-watering and portray an amazing story at the same time. I have personally witnessed her growth over the past two years, and she has proven that photography is an art by itself. Her work is poetic and evokes abundance of life.

Let’s hear more from Seema as she shares her inspiration and journey as a photographer. Have a look at her brilliant work before you read the interview.

Autumn Tea

Zest Shot

Breakfast Scene

Moody Panettone

Mushroom Macro

·      A brief about yourself

Hi, my name is Seema Rose. I am a food & lifestyle photographer based in Dubai.

 

• How did your journey as a photographer begin? Did you have any formal training or is it self-taught?

My food & creative journey is a long one but my photography started just 2 years ago. I have been in advertising for most of my life and thoroughly enjoyed the creative process. The part I did not enjoy was the corporate politics around it. In 2020, I lost a job I’d loved very much, which was a blow. It changed everything for me. After the initial shock, I gathered myself and thought hard about where I wanted to go from there. My family has been my rock and I wouldn’t have survived without their and my friends’ support. I love to cook & bake and started focusing on that more. I even started baking on order, but knew that I did not want to go commercial, as I just wanted to enjoy myself without any undue pressures. I started my Instagram page and, thanks to its infamous algorithm, started being served food photography- and that just blew my mind! I wanted my food to look that stunning. I spoke to my husband about it and he suggested I try using an old Canon DSLR. That’s how my food photography journey began. I started practising every day, but struggled to get the picture I had in my head. I had the fire, hunger & passion for photography, but just needed someone to guide me. This is when I came across Eva Kosmas Flores’ Photography+Styling+Branding course and that was a game changer for me. Around the same time, I came across Bea Lubas’ stunning work and was hooked! She inspires me every day!

Once I was confident about my style, my gear, and such, I wanted to expand my skills and learn to work with artificial lights. Who better to learn from than Joanie Simon! Her “Artificial Academy” course helped me immensely. Artificial lighting is especially useful with restaurant photography, which I currently do.

What started as a hobby is now a full-blown passion for me - a second birth almost. I create for myself all the time, now starting to do paid assignments and enjoying that too.

 

• How would you describe your style?

Over the course of my exploration into photography, I’ve attempted a vast array of styles, themes and motifs. That being said, the one I personally identify with the most is what I’d describe as dark and moody. I prefer dramatic, moody shots with pops of colour. I love the mystery around it. I never want to make my work seem depressing. I’ll always add elements to brighten the feel of the shot, trying to emphasize certain subjects and tell a story through my work and editing. Though this style speaks to me the most, I’m constantly experimenting with new concepts and composition techniques. I find it so much fun to play around with the camera and how I set up my shots. I feel that doing so has helped me better my capabilities and made me fall deeper in love with photography and just how vast and creatively diverse it can be!

Flaming Whiskey

• What's your inspiration?

Inspiration & beauty is all around us - we just need to keep an open mind and really “see” it. Nature is a big inspiration for me - the colours of leaves & flowers, the way sunlight interacts with things, the natural framing by trees - it’s all so fascinating. I love drawing inspiration from seasons, though living in Dubai has its own challenges with that. Along with that, I observe a few select photographers’ work and journey closely. It’s interesting to imagine the thinking behind their work, which is something I try to learn from and integrate into my process. Besides food photographers, I am very much influenced by lifestyle & interior design photographers. There’s so much to learn about the use of colours, light and styling!

Another thing I love to do is attend workshops & creative retreats. It is extremely soul satisfying in my opinion. You get to meet like-minded people, from whom you can learn so much.

• What is the most challenging aspect about your work?

Creativity is enriching, empowering & immensely satisfying. At the same time, it can be exhausting, demanding and unpredictable. Sometimes, it’s so difficult to bring your vision to life and that is frustrating! But once you overcome that mental barrier, it is the most rewarding feeling. As Bea Lubas says “Creativity is a muscle and we need to exercise it”, but overdoing it can lead to adverse effects.

 

• What is your creative process like? and what keeps you motivated?

My mind is always on the lookout for new subjects and ideas that I can play with. Sometimes I get an idea very late at night, or when I am in the shower! I make it a point to jot down my thoughts before I forget. My process kicks into gear as I bring that idea to life, clarifying all the details of what I hope to achieve with this. I begin thinking about what emotions I want to portray and what story I want to tell the viewer. I usually go on to think of the colours I want to use, because colors play a big role in conveying the story. I then think of the food I want to show, where shapes, textures, colours come into play. Then, I focus on the angle of the shot, which helps me determine what kind of light I want to use. Sometimes, I have more than one angle in mind and could use both side light & backlight. This all leads me to visualise the overall scene, with details like composition, styling, use of props, etc. The magic is later amplified when it comes down to the editing. This is pretty much the breakdown of my creative process.

Motivation comes from passion, and that is something that comes from within. How much are we willing to invest in nurturing our soul, is a question that only we ourselves can answer. Sure, there are a lot of peripheral factors that also determine how motivated we are, but for the most part, this is something that we have to draw from within.

 

• Is there a capture that holds a special place for you? and why?

This is a tough one. It’s the proverbial “choosing your favourite child” dilemma. Every one of my images has a story behind it and each one is special to me. But I do feel that my images in which I have featured my daughter are extra special - she adds something magical to my images❤️.

• Any tips or words of wisdom to aspiring photographers who want to pursue a similar Career.

When I started out, all I had was a burning desire to create, but did not know how to do it. So I kept observing, absorbing, learning & practicing with great passion. I was focused on my own development and never felt intimidated by anyone else’s work. It was a joy to admire the beautiful work of other creators. It is so important to not be overwhelmed by the progress of others but to learn from them. We don't know what hardships they have gone through to get to where they are. Everyone’s journey is different & unique. Imposter syndrome is real and so prevalent, fuelled by Instagram’s lure for greater numbers of likes & followers! It can destroy creativity and I urge everyone to stay focused on their own journeys and organic growths. Look at your own feed and see how far you have come. Pat yourself on the back for all the sacrifices you have made and the hard work you put in to come this far. Learning must never stop and progression is the only way forward, but that does not mean you feel ashamed about your earlier work. If we had not created that, we wouldn’t have learned and improvised to come this far. Please DO NOT focus on likes & followers. Just create for yourself. When you focus all your energies into making your own work the best you have produced yet, the outcome has got to be positive. Nothing gives me more joy than creating for myself and if you feel the same, I assure you, people will sit up and applaud your work. 

Thank you so much Seema, for sharing your journey in photography and giving us a fresh perspective about food photography. Wishing you all the best and we look forward to seeing more of your amazing work!

Please click here to get updates on her work through Instagram and click here to have a look at her website.

All the above images are copyrighted by Seema Rose

Tea Time with Claudia Silva

Today I would like to feature Claudia Silva, a food photographer, food stylist and a recipe developer based in Portugal whose work speaks volumes. Her work feels like a direct reflection of who she is as person. Besides great composition and amazing recipes published in her blog, there is a sense of stillness, peaceful, intimate, simplicity and honesty in all her beautiful pictures.

In today’s interview, she shares her styling philosophy as well as her inspiration. Please have a look at her amazing pictures and read more about her work.

 A brief about yourself

My name is Claudia, I am a food photographer, food stylist and storyteller living in Porto, Portugal. I find always hard to tell more about myself in words, in fact knowing more about who I am is something I am trying to discovery in my daily life, I feel very simple, but full of questions and the desire to find my way of being, keep a thought of growth, self-questioning, a desire to know more about the ones surrounding me, learning how to grow in a responsible and kind way.

 

How did your journey as a photographer begin? Did you have any formal training or is it self-taught?

My journey as a photographer is relatively recent. In December 2019 I created the blog Caminho Integral, I really wanted to share my adventures and culinary recipes, I like to try new flavors, get to know and feel other cultures through food and the blog, and later the entry on Instagram, allowed me to get in touch with a wonderfully new community.

And that's how the interest in food photography came about, a way to express emotions, to share not just recipes, but feelings and states of mind, actually to convey a message, to touch people and be touched by them.

                                       

           

How would you describe your style?

Definitely I include myself in dark and moody photography, but I also love outdoor photography or just playing with shadows and hard light. When I started I was very minimalist, but with time, I realized I needed more elements to tell my story, it felt right this way. I also have a very rustic side, playing with browns and wood really makes me feel comfortable. Other technical aspects that I really enjoy are action shots and including the human element in my photos, but I can also say that I am a storyteller.

 

What's your inspiration?

Food, nature, people, feelings. I can describe my inspiration with these words. For me, photographs tell stories, convey feelings, and touch people. My family is also a kind source of inspiration for me; they touch my soul, my heart, the simplicity of everyday moments, knowing how to transmit love, not with words, but with simple gestures.

 

What is the most challenging aspect about your work?

Mindset. Your way of dealing with the world is such an important thing in any job or relationship; I have to pay attention to it every day. I find it difficult to believe in myself, I try to learn from others without comparing myself, and I am alert when thoughts of exaggerated self-criticism arise. From a more technical point of view, in food photography, I have some difficulties in applying composition and color theory techniques, namely in using color to make the Instagram feed more consistent and appealing.

 

What is your creative process like? And what keeps you motivated?

I try to question which theme tells me something more profoundly, without a doubt the light in photography and the inspiration / my way of telling the story are the starting point. Then I go to a mood board. Here I put the feelings, food, colors, and mood that best tell the story. Then I think about the number and angle of the photos, as well as the props. I often use my own photos as a starting point and when shooting I let my intuition and what I feel guide me.

 

Is there a capture that holds a special place for you? And why?

Luckily I can say that the vast majority of photos have a very special place for me, but those in which I photographed my family are accompanied by such affection, sharing and warmth. When they serve as models, whether full body, like my grandmother and mother, or hand models, like my sister and father, we are together in that moment, dedicated and present, in a simplicity that is difficult to describe.

 

Any tips or words of wisdom to aspiring photographers who want to pursue a similar career.

The humble knowledge of ourselves is a precious starting point, setting goals based on concrete points that support our dream. After knowing what we really want, it is important to understand how we are going to achieve it, planning is important, namely not to hesitate to invest in ourselves. And here I could not fail to mention learning, whether in tutorials, books, courses or workshops. Learning from others is so enriching, it opens our horizons and helps us grow as people and professionals.

 

Thank you dear Claudia, for sharing your journey with us and for sharing some amazing tips for us to follow. Wishing you all the best for your amazing and we look forward to seeing more of your fabulous work!

Please click here to get updates on her work on Instagram and click here to have a look at her website.

All the above images are copyrighted by Claudia Silva

Tea Time with Alaknanda Kumar

 Alakanda Kumar, a creative consultant by profession, is making a mark in the world of décor topped with her passion for photography. I have been following her work for a while. It is absolutely pure joy to see her work and experiment with colours, vignettes, creative ideas and vignette. If you follow her work you will also find her home so tastefully done up. Every corner in her home has a story to tell. Her aesthetic touch is what keeps her work unique and her eye for photography is an extension of all the beauty she sees around.

To know more about what drives Alakanda, please read the interview where she speaks about design, culture, interiors, textures and more

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.

 When not satiating the shutterbug in me, I find myself juggling between my job as a creative consultant and chasing my preteen for homework. Born in a Konkani-Managlorian family, I spent a fair share of my childhood in Gujarat (which had a big influence on my hobby), before moving to Mumbai. Though a science graduate, I pursued my passion for arts and built a career in graphics and design.

 

2. Where do you get inspiration to do up your home?

 Growing up in Gujarat, the vibrant colours and rich textures that embodies its culture was etched into my mind. Having a strong fascination for bold and contemporary Indian art intrigued me to try my hands on it. And that's how painting became one of my hobbies. During my early years in 80s when there was no Pinterest, home interior TV shows and art and decor magazines served as the greatest source for an ultimate design. Today we have inspiration just a click away. 

 

3) What's your favorite décor style?

 I have always found myself trying to strike the right balance between Indian and contemporary styles. As much as I adore white and open spaces, I tend not lean towards minimalism or even maximalism. That said, I keep experimenting with different styles.

 4) What's your favorite décor element or accent in your home?

 It’s hard to zero-in on a single element. Candles and cushions are like wine and cheese; they complement each other so perfectly that you’d be hard-pressed to leave them out. Another element that I swoon over are mirrors. A perfectly placed mirror doesn’t just add glamour and pique interest, but accentuates a sense of space and maximizes light. Thanks to my penchant for pottery, I always find myself styling my space with earthy accents like vases and figurines.

 

5) Do you have a favorite corner or space in your home? And why is it your favorite?

 As much as we adore our home, we all have that corner where we could retreat to our little cocoon after an exhausting day. Mine is a space in the living room that is our reading nook. The beauty of this corner is that I could be lost in a book or in the tunes my son plays on his piano and not strays away from what’s happening around in the house.

6) Any tips or advice for décor lovers out there?

 - I believe that your home is a reflection of your personality, and if one starts understanding this, every nook and cranny of your home will brain out the artist in you.

 - Before discarding any old furniture or accent, think if it can be repurposed. An old, rickety wooden window could be an excellent wall piece (I tried that ;) )

 - If your place is too cluttered, one’s mind would be overwhelmed with all the elements, and hence, my advice would be to do less with more.

 Thank you so much for sharing your journey and sharing some amazing tips of home décor. Looking forward to seeing more inspiring work from you.

If you wish to see more of her work and get more updates, please click here to follow her on Instagram.

Stay tuned for more tea times stories!!

All the above pics are by Alaknanda Kumar

Artist of the month: Pragya Bhatnagar

Wishing you all a Happy and Blessed Ramadan… May peace and joy prevail during this holy month.

Hello Readers!! Welcome back to the artist series… Today’s feature is on an artist who is a textile designer by profession but fiercely followed her passion for fine art and got herself trained. Pragya Bhatnagar is well-known in the artist community in Muscat and made her mark in Dubai art exhibitions and in India as well. She has showcased her work in several group exhibitions.  I discovered her work recently while visiting an art exhibition that was recently held in Oman. Most of her paintings have a sense of harmony because of her choice of colours and strokes she uses. Her artwork is an extension to her personality, there is calmness and joy. She has infused a lot of Middle Eastern theme in her work and the portraits she has worked on are all beautiful. 

Let’s have a look at her beautiful paintings and learn more from her about her journey as an artist...

The Whirling Darwish:

The sufi dance, the hidden language of the soul and the true rhythm of the heart, uniting one with everything that exists.

A brief about yourself

Art runs in my family as I inherited the skills from my father. From an early age, I was always busy capturing things around me in my art book. I went on to study textile designing during my college and worked in the leading textiles and garment companies in India. I turned my focus to fine art when I shifted to Oman in 2005.

How did your journey as an artist begin? Did you have any formal training or is it self-taught?

Art has always been a part of my life since my childhood. Whenever I used to get some free time while I was working in India, I used to sketch and paint. Art has always given me a feeling of joy and calmness; it is a form of meditation for me. Apart from my textile design background, I have done diploma from Drawing Academy, London. I have done many online courses and attended workshops from eminent international and local artists in Oman to improvise my skills. I also study the style and work of renowned artists from different eras to further enhance my knowledge of the global art landscape.    

How would you describe your art style?

I believe that every artist is on a journey of constant evolvement. And I’m not an exception either. If I reflect back on my journey, I started with realism in my early years of painting with a lot of design element but over a period of time I have started working more on expressive and impressionism.

What's your inspiration for your artwork?

I draw inspiration from the nature and my experiences in life; anything that gives me peace and happiness, and motivates me to bring it on a canvas. Most of my work is based on mandalas, intricate patterns in Islamic architecture, beautiful landscapes and people that I have come across in my daily life. As an artist there is so much one can get inspired from!

What is the most challenging aspect about your work?

The most challenging part for me in my creative process is to convert the ideas flowing in my mind into meaningful and thoughtful concepts on the canvas in a free flowing manner. An artist is drawn towards various conflicting visual depiction options and it becomes a challenge which path to follow. I follow my instincts and let the brush give shape to my visual imagination. It is like a bird flying in the air or a musician playing an instrument in their own space. It may sound easy but it’s not so easy. It is a part of the process, everyone learns it sooner or later, and it’s a blessing when the awareness finally comes.

What is your creative process like? And what keeps you motivated?

Sometimes I start working with an idea in my mind and sometimes it’s intuitive. I don’t structure the image with a pencil sketch beforehand, rather I like working directly with the paints and brushes. The joy of creating something different every time keeps me motivated. Even if I am stuck midway, I steps back, take a break and start again after a while, painting guides me further itself.

Do you commission different projects? And how can people purchase your paintings?

I do commissioned work for individuals and institutions customized to their preferences. I have displayed and sold my work in many international and local art exhibitions. I keep posting my work on my instagram and facebook page where people can see my work and get in touch with me.

What is your favorite art piece that you have done till date?

It’s very hard to pick just one as these are not just the art pieces for me but part of my life, my time, my patience, many hours of thinking and working. I have an emotional connect with each one of my paintings.

Any tips or words of wisdom to aspiring artists who want to pursue a similar career?

Do what gives you unparalleled gratification. Do not compare yourself with anyone, get inspired from others, keep practicing on a regular basis and work towards improvising your skills.

The Nature:

Landscape inspired from the rich natural beauty of Salalah blessed with greenery and waterfalls during the Khareef season.

The Gorgeous:

An innocent girl beautifully dressed-up in a traditional costume for a special occasion lost in her deep thoughts

If you wish to get in touch you can email her at : pragyab@gmail.com, or click here to follow her on facebook.



Above pictures are copyrighted via Pragya Bhatnagar.

Lingering Aftertaste

Today I’d like you to meet an incredibly talented food blogger, cook and photographer behind Lingering Aftertaste, Ambica Selvam. Her blog is not only gorgeous to look at but incredibly delicious recipes that are high in flavor and easily approachable. Her food styling is simple, rustic and enhanced beautifully through her dreamy pictures.

 Please scroll down to read the interview.

 Welcome Ambica!!

Ambica: Thank you for this opportunity to share a little about me through your wonderful blog. I am very humbled that you’ve asked me to do this.  

 

 

 

Tell us something about yourself. And what inspired you to start your food blog? And why the name Lingering Aftertaste?

Ambica: Hi Dearest Readers! I am Ambica Selvam and I am a passionate lover of food! I live in the wonderful city of ‘Bengaluru’, India. Having grown up in various different cities, right from my childhood, has shaped up my present. The experience of savoring different cultures has had a great influence on my way of thinking, my way of life and food, of course!

 I have always loved to eat but my real affair with food started late in life. However, when it did, it changed my life forever. I realized how passionate I was about food and cooking...I surprised myself!

I cook with all my heart and love to share what I cook as much as I love to eat it myself (I love to host, particularly, friends with a good appetite)

The culinary journey that I am on is more like a road to self-discovery. It is through food that I discovered my love for food styling and the ever growing penchant for food photography. I’ve always had a creative urge for doing things differently and that has always been the driving factor.

www.lingeringaftertaste.com – My food blog is my way of documenting my culinary pursuits - an outlet for me to share my food, my passion with everyone. I love sharing moments from my life through food. My blog is also my tribute to my mother who I lost last year. I grew up watching her cook… with love. She had always wanted to me write about what I cook. I regret having started when she is not around anymore. I regret not having cooked with her enough. (I do feel she will be keeping up with my blog from somewhere up above though).

The word aftertaste always fascinated me. I think there is something very profound about that word. I believe that food experience is not just about the moment you eat but also about the moments after you have eaten. Good food should speak to all your senses, and when that happens the taste lingers on; not just in your mouth, but in your heart too. And hence the name, Lingering Aftertaste.

 

Have you had any formal training in Cooking or Food photography?

Ambica: No, I do not have any formal training in Cooking or Food Photography. I just follow my heart whether it is cooking or photographing food. Creativity plays a big part in driving my passion for both. I constantly experiment in both these aspects. If it feels right from within, and if I have faith in what I create – I go ahead.

I am an explorer of food and believe in loving what I eat; I love to experiment with the tastes I discover. I believe food must rouse all five senses. That is when it is truly complete. I am pretty much always on the pursuit to achieve this. That drives my cooking.

As for food photography – I don’t really consider myself as a ‘Photographer’…I mean not in that sense. What I mean is that I use my camera to create my vision. Something like an artist, with a concept. Photography to me is my way of using subjects to express my concept, my feelings…visual storytelling. That said, to be an artist, one does need to work on one’s craft. I am not a very technical photographer. I use a Canon 1200D (18mm-55mm and 55mm-250mm lens). I am learning the technical aspects of my camera and will always try to upskill myself…my craft! There is a lot of talent and learning out there, one just needs to be open to learn. So I source inspiration and learnings from all around me. I always try to imbibe that learning and there, that is my training! I know I have a long way to go.

 

Your photographs depict your passion for food and food styling. How important is food presentation?

Ambica: A lot, to put it simply! I’m someone who believes we “eat with our eyes first and then the mouth”. For someone who is looking at my food photographs, my attempt is that they should get a sense of the taste, the texture besides being able to relate to my food story. Styling and composition is something I give lot of importance to and I’m constantly learning that as I go along.

For me, presentation is essential to be able to express your vision. It is all about my way of telling my story. While trying to do that, I intend to natural and not make it look like I am trying too hard or make it look contrived. Basically, keep it simple and real.

That is what I believe my food style is – simple, minimalistic. I don’t do elaborate food styling; what turns me on are the simple things. I believe every subject is beautiful in its own way, even the most mundane or flawed subjects. I try to use elements (props, light, and styling) in a way that brings out that beauty I see in those subjects, while I try tell my story. I try to ensure that they add to the story and not clutter it or take away from my subject.

I love when my readers and people who see my photos, connect with that story. I am thrilled when they see something completely different. I love listening to different perspectives, I learn in that process.

My style of photography is an extension of my food style, my presentation – earthy, rustic, moody… almost intimate. I love (pretty much always) to shoot with natural light. (This is also another way so saying I’m not really skillful to use studio/ artificial lights). I experiment with blocking light, indoor, and outdoor. It is not easy to tame natural light, but trying to do that… is definitely fun!

 

What are your other passions apart from cooking, blogging and photography?

Ambica: I love so many things, but I am not sure if I am as passionate about all of them… as much as I am about food. I love music; I always have it on when I’m doing something…esp, when I am driving. Music in my car is as important as seat belt! And Cooking with music is fun! Movies and certain TV shows help me escape. In fact, they’ve had a strong influence on me to help me pursue my passion for food. I have to mention Julie & Julia and Masterchef Australia and a host of Food Shows. I love making pop-art collages… that is another passion I nurture. I pick a theme, work around that. I love to personalize it, frame them and gifting it to my friends or just put it on my wall at home. Driving is something I always look forward to (Hate struggling for a parking spot though). It is such a simple activity yet so liberating. I love it so much that I’ve almost made my peace with the maddening traffic in my city. I may whine but will not stop driving! Travelling is fun, discovering new places is rewarding. Haven’t done enough but there are plenty of places on my wish list. Hopefully, soon. And finally, Books – I enjoy reading a physical book. Just that I wish I could read more.

 

What is your advice for someone who wants to start a food blog? And any photography tips for fellow bloggers?

Ambica: I’m really humbled by this question, actually. I really don’t think I am experienced enough to guide someone new, however I’ve share my two cents based on my journey so far.

Before starting a food blog – ask yourself if you are truly committed towards that! Please don’t start one because people want you to, but do it when you really want it and more importantly, only when you think you are wholeheartedly, 100% committed to do that.

Here is confession - LingeringAftertaste was actually born way in 2011. Embarrassingly, I couldn’t go beyond my first post (which was basically an “About me/blog” post – not even a recipe). Clearly, I was not ready back then – in terms of time and commitment. Or probably, I hadn’t realized the depth of passion then. I re-launched my blog not because I wanted to redeem myself, but I was truly ready , committed and was absolutely aware of my passion. And once the blog is started, it sort of becomes like a habit. But habit can die down if one doesn’t keep at it. Always remember ‘why’ you started a blog; keep the fire burning, get into a routine (anything, whatever works for you)….but keep doing it, passionately!

Another point of introspection should be “why do you want to start a food blog” – The reason! Do you want your blog to be a journal of your life around food, a platform to record/share your stories with the world or do you want to reach out to as many people as you can through your blog, to teach them or do you want you want to be famous! Your approach to your blog will be according to what your reason(s) is. I brought this up is because we live in the world of instant gratification and constant need for appreciation. That can totally drive one over the edge! Please don’t get discouraged if people don’t talk about your blog, or “like” your blog on social media immediately or “leave comments” on your posts. Actually, there is nothing wrong if that feeling kicks in, it is just that you need to rethink your reasons and approach your blog differently.

For Photography – Learn & Practice! Seek inspiration, find what appeals to your eyes, your heart. You don’t have to experiment, if you don’t wish to…But do discover your style and make it your own! What I mean is get really good at what you like doing. You can strive to be a photographer or an artist or both…but whatever you create, try that it evokes some response from people who see it. Put your work up for critique, listen to different feedback and work on ones you believe will help enhance Your style, Your craft - that is one of the greatest ways to learn. Remember, for good photographs you don’t need a fancy high-end camera. You can create magic with your phone camera too (Honest!). So think before you invest! Buy a decent basic camera and lens (initially, based on a simple thing – how close or how far do you want to be from the food/subject). Once you spend enough time honing your skills, you will know what you want.

 Yes! Photography gears are expensive – so again, please don’t invest in anything fancy until you are absolutely sure that you need one. The best initial investment will be a good tripod. Everything else can come later.

And lastly, understand and play around with the light (natural or artificial – whatever is your need/calling). You will be surprised with what you find…while you do that.

 

Any future plans? Can we expect a cookbook?

Ambica: Until a few months ago, I was juggling between my wonderful corporate 9-5 job and my madness for food. The fire in my belly was so fierce that I had to choose. I finally gave my job up to follow my passion. I have barely stepped into my present, so my future plans seems a little farfetched at this time. I am still on the road to figure out what I really want to do in the food space. At the moment, I am super thrilled that I am doing an array of interestingly different things in this space – Recipe development for clients (and for my blog of course), Professional Food styling and Food Photography, Food Write-ups etc.

Can you expect a cookbook – possibly yes, eventually! It will stem from my blog, so it will be an extension it. I don’t intend for it to be a regular cookbook that focuses on recipes. I would want that to be like a memoir of my life through food.

Click here to head over to Lingering Aftertaste and here to get updates from facebook. And if you have any enquiry please write to her at ambica@lingeringaftertaste.com

Images via Ambica Selvam