Question 1

What is the best lighting for shooting Nepalese dishes?

Accepted Answer

We've found that soft, directional side-lighting is superior. Nepalese cuisine often features many small components (like a Thali set), and side-lighting creates subtle shadows that define the shape of each bowl. Avoid direct flash, which flattens the textures of the spices and creates unappealing oily reflections on the curries.

Question 2

How do I make my momos look juicy in photos?

Accepted Answer

The secret is timing and a light brush of oil or water. Momos dry out quickly under studio lights. We recommend having your camera settings ready before the steamer opens. Brush the momo skins with a tiny amount of vegetable oil to give them a fresh 'glisten' and use a handheld steamer to add extra vapor just before clicking the shutter.

Question 3

Which camera lens is best for Nepalese Food Photography?

Accepted Answer

A 50mm or 85mm prime lens is excellent for table scenes, but we've found a 100mm macro lens is essential for close-up shots of spices and textures. This allows you to capture the 'pores' in a piece of Sel Roti or the individual grains of spice in a dry meat dish (Sukuti) with incredible clarity.

Question 4

Can AI replace professional food photographers for this cuisine?

Accepted Answer

While AI is a powerful tool for generating backgrounds or enhancing colors, it has limitations. Current AI often struggles with the specific, intricate geometries of Nepalese food—like the exact number of pleats on a momo or the unique texture of 'beaten rice.' While we use AI to streamline our editing workflow, the 'soul' and authenticity of the dish still require a human eye.

Question 5

How do I handle the 'yellow' cast from turmeric in photos?

Accepted Answer

Turmeric is a staple in Nepalese cooking and can easily overwhelm a camera's sensor, leading to 'blown out' yellows. We've found that adjusting the HSL (Hue, Saturation, Luminance) sliders in post-processing is key. Lower the saturation of the yellows slightly and shift the hue toward orange to maintain a natural, appetizing look rather than a neon glow.

Question 6

What are the most photogenic Nepalese dishes?

Accepted Answer

While every dish has beauty, the 'Samay Baji' platter is a photographer's dream due to its variety of colors and shapes. 'Yomari' is also highly photogenic because of its unique teardrop shape. We also love shooting 'Jhol Momo' because the contrast between the dumplings and the vibrant orange sesame sauce provides a stunning focal point.

Mastering Nepalese Food Photography