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.
Images via Ambica Selvam
