stylin'


I've had a revelation.
I see photography on Pinterest (oh my loving holy stars, THE PINTEREST) that, like all good photography, makes me scrinch up my nose and lean in and wonder how, what lens, what time of day, what exposure, what skill, what luck. Lately, though, it's been occurring to me that exposure, gear, skill, and luck are only half of it. Well. Alright. Three-quarters of it. But still.
Well of course it's pin-worthy. They have hot air balloons, a matching dress, and a bow-tie. The perfect swoop of a proper umbrella, the long white-blonde hair, the tight black trench. They're wearing matching hunter boots, bloomers, and vintage Chanel. The harmonious tones of twin cupcakes as well as twin dresses. A dress like that.
It's true. A photograph can be made thanks to a visionary pause -- an eye for crafting an image. A flash of specialness, character, something out-of-the-ordinary. Or even just an elegant sort of plainness, the sort of well-crafted neutrality that keeps all the viewer's attention on soul and light (as opposed to a Spongebob Squarepants t-shirt that says GIT YER NERD ON).
Sometimes it's more than a visionary pause that makes a photograph. Sometimes, it's a visionary blueprint. There are people out there who seek out props, hats, flair. They watch for it and they know how and where to apply it. They see a kid with the most fantastic curls ever and instantly they think LOOSE COTTON SEERSUCKER + C. 1930s FISHING KREEL + BEACH = PERFECTION. And they do it. Like those obsessive-compulsive math people who can't stop counting stairs, some people are obsessive-compulsive about the mechanics of scene-setting. They see inspiration everywhere.
I love seeing that care, but now, let's talk about you and me and the everyday. How do we take a page from the stylist-photographer's book? What's all this mean for spontaneity? Do you craft your images, even on-the-fly? Knowing your camera's accompanying you for a day, do you dress or prop you or your subjects with a photographic eye? Could you?
Reader Comments (29)
I can't recall a particular photo at the moment from my collection. I'll look later today as time allows, but I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.
And - I guess I'm less of a one who pre-composes an image..and more one of who finds whatever it is I might be looking for from within:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/home/2011/5/15/one-girls-treasure.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebeccasmithphotography/5726294298/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebeccasmithphotography/5726293942/in/photostream/
When it's up to me--visions of what I want to capture come and go-some people I am with/locations/weather--I know exactly the look I'm going for, the image that I am wanting to get, and I set them up--and we wait for the the wind to blow the leaves by them while they kiss, etc...but then other times it's just all candid-which I adore.
For me this revelation came when I read your Shutter Sisters book, particularly the chapter entitled, "Table." 'Hmmmm," I thought to myself, "I will never be a good photographer because I would need to do too much housework to make it happen.' Clutter is only quaint when balanced by light and space and I can never seem to find the latter in my domestic surroundings. This might explain why so many of my shots are forced close-ups--that and having a child who seldom affords me the physical distance to shoot her entire body in one go.
In some cases, all we can do is look through the viewfinder and scan - as we would for other aspects of composition, like light and perspective - for background stuff that doesn't belong. And I find it doesn't take much to adjust either my position, or to swipe an arm across the table. It's not always perfect and it doesn't have to be - but it's amazing how much difference a little effort can make.
(full disclosure: I don't shoot indoors much for this very issue of non-photographic domestic clutter, so you're not alone.)
That being said, I did do a little planning for this shot of my daughter and I love how the pics turned out. Wheat field + country sundress + new boots + sunset = really sweet pictures of my almost-5-year-old that I'll cherish forever.
http://www.11elevenimagesblog.com/2011/04/29/waving-wheat-allen-childrens-photographer/
As an amateur photographer who just wants to capture memories of my kids better, I rarely preplan shots. Plus, having the right props all the time can get expensive.
I keep dreaming that "someday" I'll have the perfect setup for stylin shots, though. They're fun - and they can be pretty fun for the kids, too. It's really just preplanning a memorable time together!
Maybe part of why some people make my jaw drop open is their ability to make a random scene look styled and a styled scene look random.
I definitely dress with intention (and carry props) when I'm doing self-portraits.
I also am obsessed with finding good props on the fly to add to a selfie or a portrait!
I so agree with what Misty said too....totally the intent!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/permafrost-chaser/5620614700/in/photostream
The sun was shining, the forsythia was blooming, and the izod overalls had to be worn sometime. There must be some sort of staged-photograph karma, though, because both my kids got sick that morning and the pretty clothes met a terrible end.
i mean who wears a dress when they know they're going hiking in the woods? notice the dress has feathers on it. : )
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/5726340131/
i have a lot of instances where prop or dress was considered before going out shooting. even on vacation we'll shop at salvation army stores for particular props. in this photo she's wearing an old bridesmaid dress we bought for $5 and we were looking for a great field to do a little photoshoot..
or this prop Taylor had my niece wear.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/5561648765/
the famous pink chair prop she used to use so much
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/3565025275/
and here - this get up is not her usual dress style - she was wanting to look like a school girl
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/4291925190/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ascatteredbrain/5718194420/in/photostream
To me, it's just another angle on mindful photography. Just wanted to clarify. :)
mean heaving a huge pile of laundry to the other side of the room or quickly gathering piles from the table and putting them on another table. Since I started 365 and I pick up the camera daily I am more conscious of the light and time of day and color interplay of everything ... As to getting my subjects coordinated , well with my boys I am just trying to keeP them dressed for the shot half of the time.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/manifeisty/5682387976/in/photostream
I'm also getting really into styling self portraits. I'm really inspired by people like Lori Andrews, aka The 10 Cent Designer. I've done a few
http://www.flickr.com/photos/manifeisty/5483712530/in/set-72157626225222798
http://manifeisty.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/stacked.jpg
and there are others that I'd like to do, including one inspired by this Kate Spade ad (unfortunately I can't find the original link)
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7PBXumNf_hA/S60SIjXSrVI/AAAAAAAALs4/PBy768KctjA/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-03-26+at+12.57.39+PM.png
Now that the weather is better I need to find myself some space and some props and go a little nuts!
A few examples:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/libertadleal/5549329646
http://www.flickr.com/photos/libertadleal/5661034421
http://www.flickr.com/photos/libertadleal/5196925293
http://www.flickr.com/photos/libertadleal/5629713267
One of my recent favorites is the cover of our Christmas card this past year. I made their outfits, cleaned out a room in our house and took the photo. I've had people tell me it is the best Christmas card they had ever seen.
http://flic.kr/p/8TAMLM
Generally my favorites are those that I have styled. The kids bring their own attitude and posing to the photo, but the aesthetics seem to add to it.
I was going to say I don't set things up, but I guess I do often set up still lifes or I rearrange a scene to make it work for me.
And my daughters (12 & 14) both still like to pull things out of our old costume basket for fun photos. Here's a recent vampire one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/superdewa/5635369448/in/photostream
I love that they want to do that, but for some reason they are usually inspired when the light is all wrong (harsh midday sun or too dark), and they've lost interest by the time the light's good again.
Maybe I'll encourage them to model for me this summer by taking them on a prop/costume shopping trip.