One of the hardest things for many of my clients is figuring out which images to order, and then how to display them on their walls. To help with this process, I recently added the option of doing image collage photo canvases. I custom design the canvas from a favourite group of images and can even add text if desired.
The results are fabulous, and really make an impression. I can't say enough how much I am loving photo canvases. They are super easy to hang as they come ready to go. And you don't have to worry about framing which takes a step out of the process so you can get your images on the wall even faster.
Here's one example of the design I used for a 10x20 gallery canvas. The final product has just been delivered to my client and was even more impressive in person.
And here's another example of how a collage can be created. This one is 20x20 and includes some text and graphics.
If you'd like more information on photo collages, drop me a line.
One of the most fascinating stories I have heard lately has been the one about the photographic street images of Vivian Maier. The story itself is quite romantic. Rather than me tell it, have a look at this news clip:
The images themselves are truly wonderful to see. They provide a candid view of Chicago between the 1950's and the 1990's. Until they were discovered at auction, the images had never been shared before. According to the blog set up to share the images, there are over 100,000 of them - mostly medium format negatives, prints and even undeveloped rolls of film. The kicker is that they were bought for around $400 at auction. How come interesting stuff like that never comes up for auction when I go?
John Maloof is apparently luckier than me, as he was the one who bid on the images. He is now working to document and save Vivian's images. I can't even imagine how monumental this task must be, but I am glad he is doing it. Visit the site, and prepare to fall down a virtual rabbit hole.
I also love that Vivian shot with a Rolleiflex. I have to wonder if she was able to get the images she did since the Rolleiflex is held at waist level to compose the image, not to your eye like a modern camera. To me, this would seem to be a more stealth way of getting these images without drawing attention to the photographer.
The discovery of this body of work has only heightened my desire to get my hands on a Rolleiflex. If anyone has one kicking around that they'd like to part with, let me know.
In the meantime, this is tempting me to go back to Chicago to see her exhibition.
For those of you who love art (and I hope you all do), you will be pleased to know that Google Art Project launched today. It's an absolutely amazing way to explore some of the world's best art galleries and to get to know some of the art. The quality of the images is absolutely top-notch and I love that you can zoom in on the images to see even the tiniest brush stroke. If you tried to get this close to the art in a gallery, you'd be tossed out.
I have barely scratched the surface of this site, but it looks like there are a ton of features to play with, and some really amazing art to explore. If only researching art had have been this easy when I studied art history!
This first image is a detail of the Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh. How amazing is this? You can see the navigation in the upper left corner.
This next image is a detail from Young Knight in a Landscape by Vittorio Carpaccio, painted in 1510.
I am dying to see some of Stubbs work added - particularly Whistlejacket. I love this painting so much, I actually flew to London to see it when the National Gallery had a Stubbs exhibit on.
To learn more about Google Art Project, check out this video guide. And for those of you lucky enough to be getting a snow day tomorrow - this should keep you occupied for a while!
I was recently asked to describe my work in just a few words. Easy said than done.
I played with words. I got out the thesauraus. I wrote down a word, then scratched it out, then wrote another. Eventually I realized that I was getting too much into the marketing-speak, and was just putting words down on paper that were what I hope people feel when they look at my work. This whole exercise was taking me too far from the emotional side of art and how it makes people feel when they look at my work - which is really what matters to me as an artist.
I don't know about you, but I always find it easier to describe someone else's work, than it is for me to describe my own. So I figured, I could sit here and try to figure it out, and maybe, or maybe not, get it right, or I could ask you what you think. If you were to describe my photography in just 3 words, what words would you use?
I've had a few orders recently for gallery albums and the more I see them, the more I love them. I offer them in 2 sizes - a 5x5" brag book, or an 8x8 album with a cut-out window. They are available in a ton of cover options, and the quality is top-notch.
These can be ordered both for current sessions, or if you are a past client, you can also order them with your images from prior sessions. They are also a great gift-giving option.
If you would like more information about them, drop me a line. In the meantime, here's a a few photos to give you some inspiration.
One of the most common questions leading up to a session is "what should I wear?". There's really no right or wrong answer - it really depends on the look you are trying to achieve.
For the horses, it's easy, so let's start there.
Now for the humans...there's a few basic tips to keep in mind to help you get started.
Dress for the season. The key here is to be comfortable. Not to mention, it will look silly to be in a heavy jacket at the peak of summer. Here's an example of a great winter look.If you want to go with a formal look - go with clean breeches, tall boots, and a nice blouse, sweater or jacket. And, if you're like Katie, you'll want your pearls as well!
Jeans always work for a casual look. Here are two examples that work for different reasons. In the first image, the jeans really stand out against the snow and contrast nicely with this gorgeous grey horse. The white jacket brings in a touch of elegance and plays to the season.
The equestrian theme. In this example, Caroline is wearing the quintessential Hunter boot, and combining it with jeans, and a nice sweater. It's what you would expect to see a horse person wearing on a lazy Saturday afternoon and it works really well.
Consider colour. There are a few ways to work with colour. You can pick something that complements your horse's colour for a monochromatic look.
The bottom line is to choose clothing that works well with your personality, and that you can be comfortable in. If you need any guidance in choosing a look for your upcoming session, don't be afraid to ask - or bring along a few options.
So now that you've got some great photos of your horse or dog, now what do you do with them?
One way to share your photos is to have a collection of images framed so they can be displayed on your wall. There's tons of resources out there to give you ideas on how to mix and match images in interesting ways - and you don't necessarily have to stick with traditional framed images. For example, you might want to consider using photo canvases for a more modern look.
Here's just one example of a grouping of framed images which includes one 20x24, one 16x20, one 11x14 and two 8x10 prints. It's a fairly large grouping, so it would definitely make a bold statement on a wall.
When creating groupings like this, it often works best if all the frames are the same, and when you choose to go with either a B&W or colour theme. Alternatively, you could also go with a totally eclectic group of images and frames.
All Silver Lining Photography sessions offer you the option of a one-on-one consultation and proofing session. During this time we can help you decide on the images to use, and how to display them.
Once you've made those decisions, there are a few product options available to you:
For more tips on framing and hanging photos, here's a great article from Martha Stewart.
