“I can’t live without taking photographs… of people, fashion, new trends, street life, the street itself, these are the things that most interest me in life; and so I stick them all together and what else can I do but take photographs of streetstyle? …” I listen to him and I know that, when he is taking pictures, he really does look like a hunter holding his gun. He lies in wait, in no hurry. He sees them coming from a distance, he observes the way they walk, their manner. Then he considers things carefully and shoots, but only when it is the right one. There aren’t many people who breathe originality and creativity, non conformist, with few excesses, good taste and who have done their research; but when they appear, you recognise them immediately. Looks that are not too excessive but are still convincing, studied … with educated choices.
It is wonderful to realise that their way of dressing is an indication of an idea that tells you a lot about that person. In particular, we both like researching colour and the ability to employ different overlapping materials, creating eye-catching contrasts. Although it may be true that, in recent years, designers have found it difficult to come up with anything new, bringing back over and over fashions from the eighties, the nineties, then the sixties, the forties, and so on … it is also true that, in the world of fashion, there persists a continued need for creativity, innovation and enthusiasm.
About three years ago, Giorgio started taking photos of streetstyle, simply by wandering around our home city or other neighbouring cities, going to various fashion weeks or events. This year, as with every year, we set off together in search of something new: Milan, February, Fashion Week.
But this time, there was also the desire to do something different. For this type of photography, we had usually always looked for vertical framing, close around the subject with exaggerated blurring, which certainly makes the subject and the photograph itself more captivating. We realised, however, when looking at them with a more critical eye, that we risked losing a fundamental aspect of these images so important to us, which is that of the subject’s environment. So this time we decided to change our photography style and also what we communicate as a result. Giorgio looked for wider angle frames to show more of the street, he used increased depth of field to give importance to the background, as well as to the subject it surrounds. In our opinion, the resulting images better capture the spontaneity, the naturalness of the moment, whilst still describing just as accurately the look worn by the model.
For the photographs featured here, we used a digital reflex camera and a 24-70 mm zoom lens, despite Giorgio’s preference for fixed lenses. Actually, with these frenetic and somewhat chaotic backdrops, it seemed a better choice to speed up the exposure. Our final objective is that the images should hold the observer’s gaze for a few seconds more.
We really hope we were successful.
We look forward to our next post.
Love
Sandra and Giorgio
Creativity is a natural extension of our enthusiasm. (Earl Nightingale)
About the author: my name is Sandra, I’m 47 years old. I’m a maths teacher and I started my fashion blog roughly three years ago: http://www.smilingischic.com. I love contrast and I am naturally very inquisitive; this has led me to reject the confines of stereotype and the rules imposed by age or profession.
The fashion I love and follow is colourful, original, fun and accessible too. In fact, what I’ve always loved doing most is mixing different and affordable pieces. To be honest, it’s a lot easier to enjoy dressing up if you have lots of money… but there is more fun to be had in research, recycling, experimenting. My blog came about as a challenge, between me and technology, between me and a society that continues to judge too much by appearances. The main aim, however, was to combine my love of fashion with my conviction that a smile is the most powerful weapon we own: as an approach, as a form of therapy and as a gift. Thus my blog, my creation, has grown over the years, fitting together my passion for fashion with that of my lifelong partner, Giorgio, for photography and street style. Just like the pieces of a puzzle that I often feel was created long ago. Now my blog has become our blog, and it takes up nearly all of our free time, providing us with unexpected and welcome opportunities for fun, sharing, new encounters and… work.
A challenge I won against myself.
“…Cultivate your smile to be like your life: varied, different, harmonious and generous…”
You can also find me on : Facebook , Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram e Google +.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Smilingischic/219493101432679?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SandraBacci
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