Recipe for a Gobsmacking Photo

“Fill a baking
pan with a
long term plan.
Layer generously
with time and
conviction.”__K Madhavan Pillai

Pick a point of allure. Throw in a handful of fascination. A bunch of appreciation. A lot of passion ripened almost to the point of obsession. Do not forget a sprig of love. Whip them together and add liberally to your muse.

Now take curiosity. Three times as much of concentrated research and dedication. Some experimentation with some more exploration. An equal measure of learning. An unequal measure of observation, absorption and introspection. Round it off with a good deal of imagination and speculation. To spice the whole thing up, add a touch of doubt, a sprinkle of cynicism, a dash of haste, and a pinch of ambiguity. Blend it all into an even consistency. Strain it twice through a muslin cloth to remove all particulate distractions. This makes the perfect secret sauce.

For the broth… finely dice a large portion of patience. Sauté this in life experience that has been fermenting for a while. Pour in a disciplined stock of purpose. Add the essence of soul for flavour. On a low, reverent flame, bring the broth to a slow boil. Let it simmer for a while.

Fill a baking pan with a long term plan. Layer generously with time and conviction. Knead budget into dough. Divide it into as many portions as there would be servings, and place small rolls of dough carefully into the conviction. Wait for the perfect light. Set the colour temperature right. Bake until golden brown… until you notice a faint but distinct aroma of excitement drifting across the kitchen. Needless to say, every element is absolutely vital… the quality of ingredients, the quantities and proportions, the timing and compositions. Once it’s done, lift the lid off the LCD and taste.

Finally, invite friends and critics to dinner. Spend time on plating to perfection. Serve piping hot. Serve with pride.

This article originally appeared in the March 2013 issue of Better Photography.