Thursday, December 2, 2010

facts versus romance

So, I SHOULD be fast asleep by now, but I got carried away with style sites. So it goes. Anyway, since I'm still up, I thought I'd just go ahead and post. Besides, doing it now will prevent me from giving into my impulse to tomorrow when I really should be working on my paper. Rationalizing? What? Never.


dress: thrift, $3 -- jacket: BP Nordstrom, expensive -- tights: Urban Outfitters, $10 (these are also on their third autumn) -- boots: thrift, $7 -- scarf: knitted by my mom, $ doting affection


My mom knitted me that awesome yellow circle scarf! She's quite the knitter, actually. In fact, she used to write a blog about it, long before I ever started this one.

My dear friend Sam actually borrowed this dress last night to perform a song in drag as part of a presentation on musical theatre in a class he's taking. In all earnestness, it probably looks better on him than on me. Anyway, I also lent him a wig, and as a thank you, he gave me this amazing eyeshadow palette with 50 colors that he bought but didn't end up using. Now that is a good friend :D I had fun doing my eyeliner today with purple eyeshadow.


Running to get in the frame on time.

I feel like I'm letting you all down with today's photos after all of the comments on yesterday's. Oh well! I can only do the leaf gimmick once, you know? Hopefully there will be plenty more good photos in the future.



I got a question yesterday about what kind of camera and lens I was using. For yesterday's (and today's) photos, I'm just using a simple little Fujifilm point-and-shoot camera that my father received from his company as a 15-year gift. I actually use several cameras, though, depending on who's taking the photos and what I have available to me. Sometimes I have a DSLR checked out from school, and I'll use that, but it's pretty hard to take good self-timer w/ tripod photos with a DSLR. Since I only have the kit lens available to me, the camera has to be a good distance away to get the whole outfit and not get crazy barrel distortion at the sides of the image, and that isn't always practical... especially in a little forest, hehe. Also, that Fujifilm camera takes 3 shots in a row with brief pauses in between, which allows me to change poses and facial expressions. Alex and I usually do our shoots with a DSLR (he just got one, hooray!).

In case it isn't obvious already, I'm not a big gear person. Gear does help, sure, but your photos won't just automatically be awesome because you took them on an expensive camera. It's all about manipulating the settings and knowing your camera!

Some pointers I have:
1) Set the ISO to the lowest possible (usually 64 or 100). This will make your photos much more crisp and detailed.
2) Set the white balance to custom if available. If not, opt for the setting that makes the prettiest images.
3) Don't use the flash.
4) Digital cameras tend to have bad light meters. To compensate for this, use the +/- settings on your camera. Experiment to see which ones pick up the detail in your outfit. It's often hard to get detail in both the dark and light pieces in your outfit, so don't be discouraged if this is tricky. Consider taking two shots, one for your black velvet and another for your white lace.
5) Look for soft, pretty light that isn't too harsh. Everything will look more balanced and evenly-lit.


Today's title comes from Rilo Kiley -- Science vs. Romance. Jenny Lewis is a goddess.

Thank you for all of your lovely comments! I am super busy this week, so I will try to return the favor just as soon as I can.

Sleepy time!

23 comments:

Alisa said...

always nice to have male friends who can suddenly give you an eye shadow palette as a present ;)
i used to have one like that! and he wasn't even gay.
As for the dress, it looks perfect on you, and I like the whole ensemble! x

Chio said...

I love this outfit! Amazing dress and tights combo!
I don't think I ever posted you before but I enjoy your blog very much.

ilene @ muchloveilly said...

i totally agree - you dont have to have an expensive camera to have great pics!! and you're pictures are great so you prove it well!!

loving the scarf and the tights, friend!

callie said...

Love the outfit! I want a circle scarf so bad! What a talented mother you have. :D

xx

PS Glad you share my love for Jenny Lewis. We honestly have SUCH similar tastes in music!

archives vintage said...

wow! i wish i had a mom who knit me such wonderful things! :)

Anonymous said...

Love your style...you are darling. So glad to find you!
xxx Emily

PS-- Come enter into my GIVEAWAY!! xxxx

Anonymous said...

PS- I am adding your blog to my daily reads, LOVE!

Anonymous said...

PSS- I would love to do a guest blog with you on EL Vintage! I could send you some vintage? x

blouse said...

jenny lewis is a totaly goddess. but, you already know i think that! haha!

guess i'll listen to her now.

xo~jane

Annebeth said...

you know I love your outfit! I use a crappy digicam for my pics and I do use my flash because without a flash, the shadows vs light spots in my pics are very harsh, the contrast is soooo high when I don't use flash. Doesn't look nice at all. No idea how to change that either :D

salwabalwa said...

Thanks for the tips about taking the photos. I love the yellow scarf and the purple tights! That's so awesome how your friend gave you that eyeshadow kit. You now have the entire rainbow to match your outfits, and more!

Salwa

LivingTheVogue said...

Rocking the tights!! I love the shoes and scarf as well!! ;-) xx

Cee said...

I just adore your purple tights, and that dress is perfect- even better because you have a friend to share it with :) Reading that reminded me a little of my best friend, who is also the type of person who might have an eyeshadow palette lying around to give me :) Aren't they the best?

Cute blog!
xox,
Cee
http://cocoandvera.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

those tights are very cute. i like how they add a pop of color.
aren't guy friends the best?

xx Kenny

Jenny Morris said...

also im loving your new header - simple quirky perfection :) great post too xx

FASHIONMADEMEFUNKY
www.fashionmademefunky.blogspot.com

Meream said...

I am loving all the colors of these photos, your outfit (and hair!) included.

Also, am a little sad we don't get fall where I live. :-/

Playing Hooksies said...

Love the scarf, lady! You made me laugh out loud with your "leaf gimmick" comment.

Glad to find another bay area blogger's blog (:


http://playinghooksies.blogspot.com/

Nnenna said...

yay knitting! And I recently decided I need some purple tights and this outfit has confirmed that decision :)

LivingTheVogue said...

Rocking the tights!! I love the shoes and scarf as well!! ;-) xx

Fivetwocharm said...

those tights are very cute. i like how they add a pop of color.
aren't guy friends the best?

xx Kenny

styleforlife said...

PSS- I would love to do a guest blog with you on EL Vintage! I could send you some vintage? x

ilene @ muchloveilly said...

i totally agree - you dont have to have an expensive camera to have great pics!! and you're pictures are great so you prove it well!!

loving the scarf and the tights, friend!

Mademoiselle Antonova said...

always nice to have male friends who can suddenly give you an eye shadow palette as a present ;)
i used to have one like that! and he wasn't even gay.
As for the dress, it looks perfect on you, and I like the whole ensemble! x