Smitha Suraj Photography

23/10/2024

Juicy jewels ✨

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03/10/2024

Threads of Tradition ✨

The soft, white strands of idiyappam flow gracefully from a brass sevanazhi, reflecting the gentle weave of the kasavu sari, where the white meets the subtle shimmer of gold. This is a land that honors the understated—where rice, the humblest grain, forms the heart of our meals, and simple attire becomes a symbol of grace. The delicate whites and golds reflect our heritage, embodying a timeless rhythm passed down through generations.

28/09/2024

A simple coffee pouring shot ? Or is it ?

✨ there’s a bit of magic in this moment! Capturing those swirl in both glasses took a little bit of work. Would you like to know how it is done ?

ChukkuKaappi

26/09/2024

25/09/2024

Rustic vibes and gourmet indulgences 🧀.

21/09/2024

18/09/2024

It’s always a tussle between the buttery whispers of brioche and the ‘gut-healthy’ halo of sourdough. But let’s face it—crispy crusts and those airy, fancy pockets make my camera very happy, even if someone here isn’t thrilled about the new flavors 🤭.

Stumbled upon these delicious loaves at last week, and we’ve been loving it with a generous spread of avocado. What’s your favorite combo?

12/09/2024

Today marks Moolam, the seventh day of the ten-day Onam celebration that begins with Atham. As the festival progresses, preparations for the Onasadya gather momentum. One of my most vivid memories of Onam is from my childhood at our tharavadu, where every tradition was celebrated in its fullest—it was simply the way of life, I suppose.

The pookkalam would grow more elaborate with each passing day, and by Moolam, it truly reached new heights. My uncles would craft clay steps for the pookkalam, and three or five clay figures of Onathappan were carefully molded and left to dry.

While the front of the house bustled with the pookkalam rituals, the back was just as alive with preparations. The creaking of the ara (granary) doors, the chatter of helpers, and the rhythmic movement of the womenfolk, busy with the sadya and palaharam preparations, filled the air with a familiar excitement.

Later, when we moved into our own home, the celebrations continued, though on a smaller scale. Family remained close, and the rituals never truly faded. Onam was unmistakably near when Amma began making upperi (banana chips), and the sweet tang of puliyinchi filled the house, heralding the festival’s approach.

Buying flowers for the pookkalam doesn’t quite sit well with me, so I reserve it just for Uthradam here. But puliyinchi? That’s made today, without question. Even though it’s just the two of us here, how could I resist the pull of these deeply ingrained traditions that arrive unfailingly with Onam?

Wherever you are, I hope the spirit of Onam brings with it a sense of home, tradition, and the joy of togetherness in the days ahead.

11/09/2024

When you’re flailing in a sea of knowledge, armed with just an idea and the aptitude you were born with, it can feel like you’re barely staying afloat, constantly struggling to catch up. The intricacies of lighting and the complexities of Photoshop can be overwhelming. You start to wonder where it’s all leading and whether leaving the structured world for the unpredictable realm of creativity was the right choice.

But stay on your path. Eventually, things start to click, something shifts, and suddenly, you know exactly how to bring your vision to life.

There’s something about bok choy that makes you stop and take notice of its simple beauty. I’ve been wanting to capture that for a while now. Can you guess which image is the original?

Well, neither of them are. It started as a backlit shot, with a diffuser to creating that soft glow around the edges. One background was made with an overlay, and the other with two layers of color. Which one do you like better?

10/09/2024

When faced with an overwhelming array of food choices and hunger makes you unwilling to take risks, we naturally gravitate towards Thai cuisine. There’s a certain comfort in knowing it’s hard to go wrong, and that’s exactly why quickly became one of our favorite haunts. Their lemongrass drink, in particular, became a must-have with every visit.

I got a bunch of fresh lemongrass and decided to try making it at home. It turned out to be incredibly simple and perfect. Here’s how: chop and crush fresh lemongrass stalks, let them simmer in boiling water for about 10 minutes, then stir in your preferred sweetener. Chill in the fridge, and serve over ice, garnished with a slice of lemon and a few mint leaves.

After diving into color theory and exploring color grading and gradients, how could I resist adding a splash of color to every photograph? 🫣 Looks like era of color has arrived. While monochromes and minimalism smiling amusedly at how long this will last, I’m enjoying every vibrant moment.

Are you Team Monochrome or Team Color?