Stairs

I like the use of stairs in photographs. That ascending or descending backdrop adds some type of flavor to the photo. What really makes the picture interesting is where the photographer chooses to place the subject.

One photo from Diane Von Furstenberg’s newsletter encouraged me to blog about the use of stairs in pictures.  In the  photo, the stairs look like they are a prop; nevertheless, help to enforce the designs on the girls dresses.

I realize that with stairs you have to be careful. It’s almost like using a wall. You have to like the color of the stairs the shape of the stairs and even the width.

Which leads me to talk about pictures from Michael Kors’ newsletters. In a few of his pictures, cement stairs are used. These stairs are not used as a prop even though they are in-sync with the model clothes.  The photographer gives the viewer the idea that the stairs are an after thought.  The model is walking pass the stairs as oppose to sitting on them. The stairs also seem like they are never-ending, almost like stairs in front of the Metropolitan museum or a court-house.

The Michael Kors’ pictures are different in that it almost tells a story. Unlike Diane Von Furstenberg’s models who are sitting down posing for the picture, Michael Kors’ model is walking with books in her hand while looking at a phone.

Michael Kors’ picture is similar to Kate Spade picture of Bryce Dallas Howard. Both subjects are doing something; however, in the Kate Spade picture, Howard is more laid back. She is having fun. The use of the stairs is more for a prop. It’s needed to bring the fun photo to justice. Howard is not just passing by a staircase, she’s hanging on the rail.

Stairs are source of inspiration and make photos more fun.

Few favorite Prints for Popin’ Spring

I put together a few of my favorite printed clothing for the spring.  I hope you enjoy them.

The Kate Spade skirt…I wish it was a little longer, nevertheless, I love the shape of the lines and her color choice. I also like the belt loops. It’s creative.

The Anthropologie dress is featured in their new catalog. It’s worth buying. Chic, flowing, vintage inspired and just can’t go out of style!

Even though I like the Lucca Couture jacket, I hate the photo. The jacket is not the center of attention and you can’t see the wonderful military detail because of the model’s pose.

The Gap and the Steven Alan shirts are somewhat similar in print. Both are polka dots. And that’s why I like both, I like polka dots.

Amazing Ambiance

When I saw Kanye West recite his poem “Bitter Sweet” on youtube, I was more impressed by his ambiance than his performance and by his garb than his intelligence (even though I liked what he said about Black History Month and thought it was funny that a line of clothes could be boring before he wore them).

To compose a great picture, one needs more than a camera and a subject. One needs to see a full composition.

Colors. Objects. Lighting. Framing. Pattern.

I thought, Mr. West’s setting is one if a kind.

Behind him was a stack of suitcase’s and he walked on stage with a satchel. He created Def Poetry into something more than a poetry spot. It became a photo-shoot, his fashion statement. Mr. West with his props. He fed the eye of the beholder as well as the soul of the listener.

What is it about the suitcase’s that gave it a self-controlled atmosphere?  Or can I even argue that the suitcases was what gave off a self- controlled atmosphere? After all, we are talking about the Kanye West. It seems like giving off a “self-controlled atmosphere” is something he can do just by walking into a room.

Before my main subject runs away from me, let’s get back to the settings- the suitcases.

Years later after seeing Bitter Sweet on Youtube, I started to see suitcases in a lot of pictures. They were already there, artist were always including the suitcase as a setting, but for some reason I never saw them until I watched the video.

This year, some of my favorite clothing companies used suitcases to finish their look: Anthropologie, Club Monaco, and Talbots.

Anthropologie‘s take on the suitcase was the most original,  a painting by contemporary realist painter Christopher Stott made the topic simple and vintage inspired. Club Monaco approach to the suit case was similar to that of Mr. West, used merely as a prop while Talbots included a story line, French Twist being the title.

In all of the photos, the suitcase speaks volumes. It suggest travel, adventure, and fun but also demeanor, speech and amazing ambiance.

Which is what Kanye West has… right?