by admin on March 31, 2008
If your products look terrific but the photos just don’t seem to be working, sometimes it’s the other stuff in the shot that can be dragging you down. Surrounding your product with things that complement it is one of the keys to producing effective images.
One of the most effective (and easy!) ways to present a product is simply to take everything else out of the equation and go to a pure white background, leaving absolutely no distractions at all. This approach gives a very clean, professional look.
Adding other elements to your shots can help create a sense of image and drama, but the more you add, the more careful you have to be not to detract attention from your main subject. For shots with a more stylized or “propped” look, here are some things to keep in mind:
• Composition – Your fashion should always be the center of atention, and everything else in your shot should lead the viewer’s eye back to your product. Make sure your props or backgrounds enhance and don’t distract.
Papusza Couture, Kinsella
• Color – Again, the key here is to enhance and not distract or divert attention from your product. No clashing colors!
foundling, coastline posts
• Avoid clutter – Keeping things simple is one of the best ways to make viewers focus on what’s important – your product. If things look cluttered, try shooting in another area or just remove superfluous elements from the shot.
Yosifa-Penina, glass belt
Take a long, hard look at everything that’s happening in the composition of your photos and ask yourself if they’re accomplishing what you need them to. And most importantly, ask yourself this: “If I were shopping online and only had this image to look at, would I consider buying it?”
by trish on March 29, 2008
Beautiful shot of Julie Darling showing off her purchase from
Catalina De La Torre Jewelry & Accessories.
The gorgeous photo was taken by her husband Chris.
If you have made a purchase from Smashing darling
and you want to show off YOUR fabulous style
by
Letting Your Indie Out,
email me trish(at)smashingdarling(dot)com
send me the photos and a little bit about yourself.
I want to know who you are and I know others do too!
Think of it this way, if you are a real fan of one of our designers,
it is your way of getting that designer in the blog.
Don’t you want to help your fave get some press?
by trish on March 28, 2008
The first person to comment on the blog and tell me who said or wrote this wins a Student Smash Up item from Smashing Darling!
This week is a quote from a fashion designer. I thought I better go in a different direction because the last 2 give aways are still up for grabs!
I will give you a hint at the end of the day if no one guesses it by then. So stay tuned!
“I’m Thirty-six. So I’m not the bad boy of fashion anymore” -?
Now the only thing left to do is go peruse the store to feast your eyes on all the delicious choices and make your selection.
Good Luck!
Last weeks and the week before are still up for grabs!
I will tell you they are both sentences from books.
by trish on March 25, 2008
Alyse radenovic and “Sanja” Zivka Jovanovic are the designers for Aelisheva, an independent couture house founded in 1997. They bring original, handmade, artisan qualities to their ready-to-wear collection. All of the work is designed & produced in-house with love by these twowonderful designers. The pair met in Belgrade, where Sanja still resides working with the Serbisn Theatre.
SD: How and when did you and your partner meet? |
(Alyse): My husband found Sanja’s name in a directory in 2002; we met and began work immediately.
SD: Where did you study? What was your major or specialization?
(Alyse): Sanja studied fashion design in France where she grew up and Alyse studied anthropology in America where she grew up.
SD: What other jobs have you had in the industry?
(Alyse): Sanja has worked costuming many films and theatre productions, she works full-time in a national musical theatre now; she has been production lead for several European fashion firms and has experience producing basically every type of garment. Alyse mostly worked at aelisheva but had some related jobs as embroiderer, dressmaker, dressmaker’s assistant, club fashion show assistant, fashion magazine assistant, fashion showroom receptionist, fabric salesperson, and factory worker.
SD: Where do you turn for inspiration for your designs?
(Sanja): Because I am an Earth sign all things from nature inspire me, I see inspiration everywhere, in buildings, in the country, in sunny days and rainy days, with every step, in the dear people I love – in love. Alyse has more inspiration in the starting sense and I merge that with inspiration from the materials, nature and the environment
SD: Who is your customer, and how do they find you?
(Alyse): They are across the board; they find us at boutiques and on the web.
(Sanja): Our brand is for all women of all ages.
SD: What does your average day entail?
(Alyse): Sanja works in the theatre and at aelisheva, she is also completing an advanced degree, and she has an active social and family life. Alyse takes care of baby, works at the computer, paints, draws, does household chores and errands, watches the news and YouTube, and plays online Scrabble.
SD: Describe your personal style?
(Alyse): Folk-inspired yet modern.
(Sanja): Our brand is timeless and comfortable to wear.
SD: Who are your fashion icons (past or present)? Do you think they influenced your personal style?
(Sanja): Elza Sljapareli.
SD: Is there anyone in the Smashing Darling community you have a question or comment for?
(Alyse): Thanks to everyone for providing a pleasant, efficient and very user-friendly environment.
by admin on March 24, 2008
I was in Trish’s shop the other day marveling at her gorgeous new clothes (and Whosiepie’s fantastic spring flings, too) and she was saying she needed to find a model. I could tell it wasn’t something she was looking forward to, and is something that all designers have to deal with.
This got me thinking … while it would always be nice to fly Naomi Campbell in from Milan for the day, sometimes all you have is yourself, your camera, and a little time. But with a little creativity and your camera’s self-timer, this can be everything you need. Don’t count yourself out – you can be your best model sometimes!
All you have to do is set up the shot and put your camera on a tripod or something stable like a table. Then you’ll have to check and make sure the area you stand in is in focus. From there, just activate your camera’s self-timer function and get in position before the shutter goes off (check your camera’s manual to see how much time you have.)
Another good thing to remember is to put your camera within the flash’s range (usually around 10 feet away from what you’re shooting or less) and use fill flash, as in this sample shot. Or better yet, take the shot under available light and turn that flash off all together!. And as always, don’t be afraid to experiment. Your best tool is your own creativity, and it’s so, so easy to press that little delete button when the shot doesn’t work!
by trish on March 22, 2008
Photo by Robin Zingone
Trish darling, that’s me! Nose buried in the computer in my design studio.
Wearing the Student Smash Up Tee, Mystic Metallic Mermaids
and
Felted lace scarf by Thistle Downs Wool Design.
I so need to do a spring cleaning in my messy studio!
Felt lace scarf in ivory.
Let Your Indie Out!
Show me your fabulous style wearing your indie designer finds from Smashing Darling!
Send Photos to trish(at)smashingdarling(dot)com
let me know a little about yourself too. Where you live, why you love your indie,
what you love to do…
Get creative!
by trish on March 21, 2008
The first person to comment on the blog and tell me who said or wrote this wins a Student Smash Up item from Smashing Darling!
So dig deep down inside of your brain so you can pull it from the depths. I know you know where or who this came from.
“It looked as if one of the German invasion armies was moving north and west before curling east towards London, like a giant wave on the point of breaking” -?
Now the only thing left to do is go peruse the store to feast your eyes on all the delicious choices and make your selection.
Good Luck!
Last weeks is still up for grabs!
