Question 1

What is the best lens for Japanese Sandwich Photography?

Accepted Answer

We've found that a 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens is the gold standard. It allows you to get close enough to see the beautiful air pockets in the milk bread while providing a compressed perspective that makes the sandwich look substantial and heroic. If you're on a budget, a 50mm prime lens is a solid second choice.

Question 2

How do I keep the bread from looking dry in photos?

Accepted Answer

Timing is everything. We suggest prepping the bread at the very last second. If you must wait, a very light mist of water from a fine atomizer can revive the look of the crumb, but be careful not to over-saturate. Our experience shows that fresh Shokupan naturally holds its moisture for about 15 minutes under studio lights.

Question 3

Can I use AI to generate these images?

Accepted Answer

AI tools are incredible for generating inspiration and background elements, but they often struggle with the hyper-specific textures of Japanese milk bread and the realistic layering of fillings. While we use AI to enhance lighting or clean up crumbs, we find that for authentic branding, a real photograph or a very high-end AI model with specific prompts is necessary to avoid looking 'uncanny.'

Question 4

What is the most common mistake in Sando photography?

Accepted Answer

The biggest mistake we see is 'over-stuffing.' While it looks great in person, a sandwich that is too full often looks messy on camera and loses its geometric appeal. We've found that less is often more; focus on the alignment of the ingredients rather than the quantity to achieve that professional, high-end Japanese aesthetic.

Question 5

How do you get the 'egg' in a Tamago Sando to look so yellow?

Accepted Answer

Aside from using high-quality eggs, we use a slightly warm white balance setting in-camera (around 5200K-5500K). During post-processing, we selectively boost the saturation of the yellows and oranges while keeping the white bread neutral. This makes the filling pop without making the rest of the image look unnatural.

Question 6

Does natural light work better than studio light?

Accepted Answer

Natural light is beautiful but unpredictable. We prefer using studio strobes with large modifiers because it allows us to maintain consistency across a whole menu. However, if you are shooting in a cafe, a north-facing window provides the perfect soft, directional light that mimics the professional studio setups we use.

Question 7

How do you prevent the sandwich from falling over?

Accepted Answer

We often hide small acrylic blocks or even toothpicks behind the 'hero' half of the sandwich to provide support. In our professional workflow, we also use a small dab of mashed potatoes or floral putty at the base to 'glue' the sandwich to the plate, ensuring it doesn't move during long exposures.

Mastering the Art of Japanese Sandwich Photography