photographs

Since we currently have a costume challenge in our community, what better time to gather picture taking tips than before the big day? Photographer Jesse Freidin created the wildly popular Doggie Gaga project earlier this year — that's his cute Boston Terrier, Pancake — and he offered tips on both costumes choices and creation in addition to photography ideas to share with you.

PetSugar: Halloween costumes already have so much going on, how do I create a setting that limits visual distraction?
Jesse Freidin: If you’re going to put your dog in a costume and create a fun photograph showing off the costume and the dog, what you want is for the dog and the costume to really stand out. That’s the focus. You want to show off the costume and show off your dog being beautiful so there’s not always a need to make your background really busy. What you could do is work with a simple background whether it’s putting your dog outside near a wall that’s really simple. Then be really thoughtful and have a couple props, maybe there’s a pumpkin or maybe there’s some leaves. As long as your eyes are really drawn to the focus, which is the dog, that will make your hard work, stand out.

PS: What if I pass by someone else's cute dog on the street? How do I get a good shot?
JF: A good thing to do is get on their level and, before you stick a camera in their face because you’re a new person and it’s a camera and that can be weird, just let the dogs sniff you and get used to you for a second. Make sure you know their name and call it and hopefully they will look at you. It’s always an overstimulating environment to have lots of dogs, lots of people and costumes so keeping everything as calm and simple as possible is the way to get some really great photos.

While Pancake is posing as part of the Doggie Gaga project here, learn what Jesse's cute pup will be for Halloween this year, how to pick out a photo-worthy costume for your pet's coloring, and get an amazing base for any DIY costume when you read more

Perusing Pinterest the other day, I came across this vintage tablescape from Oh So Beautiful Paper that had an unusual, whimsical table runner made from old black and white photos. I love how the photos cascade onto the floor! Not only is this a practical and creative way to incorporate vintage pics, but it's also easy to re-create and can be adapted for different themes.

Flea markets, garage sales, and antique shops always have boxes of old postcards, photos, and other paper goods, so gathering the supplies is affordable and relatively simple. I'd take a narrow strip of butcher paper and start affixing the photos from the center out. Use double-sided tape and be sure to completely cover the paper so that it looks like the photos are just scattered on the tabletop. Depending on how dramatic you want to go (and how many pics you have), you may want to keep it on the table vs. piling the photos on the ground. For a bon voyage soiree you could use postcards from tropical locales, for a bridal shower old wedding pics, or for a game night it could even be crafted from playing cards (a little Alice in Wonderland, don't you think?).

Source

The New York Times is releasing its extensive archive of photographs from the last century, some never before seen by the public, on its microsite, The New York Times Store, making them available for purchase for your home. To celebrate, The NYT has asked five noted interior designers, including Vicente Wolf, Kelly Wearstler, Jonathan Adler, Laura Kirar, and Thom Filicia, to each curate a collection of 10 of their favorite photographs. Ranging from scenes of contemporary life (swimmers on a lake in 1997) to historic images (a pair holding hands at Martin Luther King Jr.'s funeral in 1968), the designers' selections are a telling reflection of each of their aesthetics and are available for purchase online today.

The designers have chosen special mats and frames for each image to complement their collections. Each exhibition-quality photograph can be printed in a range of sizes, from 11 by 14 inches to 20 by two inches, framed or unframed. Prices begin at $199.

I chatted with Jonathan Adler about his curated photography collection — stay tuned for that interview later today!

Speaking of Marilyn Monroe . . . I picked up a pair of black and white portraits of Marilyn Monroe for only $10 total at a new antiques fair in San Francisco yesterday. I'm not generally a pop icon buff, but I like the juxtaposition; there's something about seeing the same face in different settings (and outfits) that's intriguing. They also integrate well with my bedroom's black and white artwork theme!

So I hung the duo beside my DIY upholstered nailhead trim headboard, above my makeshift candleholder nightstand. It may not be original artwork, and I admit it's a bit gimmicky. But for now the pair of photos is a good placeholder until I find more artwork I want to invest in.

Be sure to share photos and details about your own little décor arrangements in the Lovely Little Vignettes group!