Question 1

How do I make Sri Lankan curries look appetizing rather than messy?

Accepted Answer

The secret lies in 'selective garnishing.' In our experience, adding fresh elements like a sprig of curry leaves, a dollop of fresh coconut sambol, or a drizzle of coconut milk right before the shot adds layers and freshness. We also suggest cleaning the rim of the bowl meticulously to ensure the focus remains on the textures of the sauce.

Question 2

What is the best lighting for a traditional Sri Lankan table spread?

Accepted Answer

We've found that soft, directional window light is superior to artificial flashes for this cuisine. If you must use artificial light, use a large softbox positioned slightly behind the food to create 'backlighting,' which makes the moisture in the rice and the oils in the curry glisten naturally.

Question 3

Can AI truly capture the specific details of Sri Lankan dishes?

Accepted Answer

AI is excellent for creating atmospheric backgrounds and general dish concepts, but it currently has limitations with hyper-specific cultural textures, like the exact 'webbing' of a hopper. We use AI to generate high-end backdrops or to iterate on composition ideas quickly, but we often rely on manual photography or heavy editing for the final, authentic result.

Question 4

What camera settings should I use for close-up shots of spices?

Accepted Answer

For macro shots, we recommend an aperture of f/5.6 to f/8 to ensure enough of the spice is in focus. Use a tripod and a slow shutter speed (around 1/60s) with a low ISO (100 or 200) to maximize image clarity and minimize digital noise, which can muddy the fine details of ground spices.

Question 5

How do I handle steam in food photography?

Accepted Answer

Steam is notoriously difficult. We've found that a dark background is essential to make the steam visible. You need to back-light the steam and shoot immediately after the food is plated. If the steam fades, we sometimes use a handheld steamer behind the dish to carefully 're-introduce' a gentle mist for the shot.

Question 6

Is vertical or horizontal orientation better for food photography?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the platform. For menus and websites, horizontal often works best for wide table spreads. However, for social media and mobile-first content, vertical (9:16) is the standard. We always recommend shooting a mix of both to ensure your Sri Lankan Food Photography is versatile across all marketing channels.

The Art and Soul of Sri Lankan Food Photography