Marissa Elman | Fashion & Photography

Marissa Elman is a lifelong lover of fashion and photography.

5 Iconic Fashion Designers

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The fascination with fashion has been around for centuries. When Cleopatra reigned, she was considered a fashion icon, as was Marie Antoinette, and in more modern times Duchesses Kate and Megan, but the real stars are the designers behind the fashions and their incredible talent that melds fashion into art. Here are five of the most iconic designers.

 

Coco Chanel

The name is synonymous with fashion, and even those who don’t follow fashion recognize the name. Coco Chanel created styles still used by the fashion house today, including the quilted bag and tweed suit. She is also responsible for creating one of the most Famous perfumes of all time, Chanel No. 5, used by icons such as Marilyn Monroe.

 

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen’s designs can be recognized even without a logo. There is a thin line between fashion and art in his designs. His shows were just as complex, sometimes even shocking, but always memorable in their theatrical displays. His collections had a clear theme and story. His designs featuring skulls are some of his most popular and beloved.

 

Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent began as an apprentice to the famed Christian Dior. Yves Saint Laurent blended art and fashion with his Mondrian collection, featuring striped color-blocked dresses that became famous in the 1960s. He also made created the Le Smoking suit. a menswear-inspired suit tailored for women. Today, his fashion house is still considered the epitome of style.

 

Oscar De La Renta

Famed for his feminine, elegant designs that have been worn by a myriad of celebrities, royals and dignitaries. His fame catapulted in the 1960s when he dressed Jacqueline Kennedy. He would go on to design several more dresses for the First Ladies of the United States. In 2014 he designed Amal Clooney’s French lace wedding gown.

 

Diane Von Furstenberg

Diane Von Furstenberg rose to fame after she married a German Prince, but she is now most known for changing dresses forever with her iconic jersey wrap dress design. She has always understood that women want flattering clothes that make them feel powerful. The wrap dress remains popular today and is the one item heralded time and time again as the article a woman must have in her wardrobe.

Three Ways to Declutter Your Life

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There’s nothing wrong with having a bit of extra stuff, but when a home becomes cluttered, moving, relaxing, and even living can end up being much more difficult than necessary. A large number of individuals feel frustrated and annoyed with the clutter around their house. More broadly, clutter in life—not necessarily around the house—is also troublesome.

For those who are looking to leave clutter behind “Team Clutter” (and those who’d like to take preemptive steps to avoid clutter), the good news is that doing so is as easy as making a plan, committing, and enjoying the benefits.

 

Donate

Donating goods to charity is an outstanding way to decrease a home’s clutter. To decide which items are ideal for charity, think about which items are frequently used. If it takes a few minutes to remember the last time that an item saw the light of day, it’s probably worth giving it to those who are in need; these items commonly include clothing, kitchen utensils, old toys, and household appliances.

There’s no need to go overboard when donating goods; dropping off 10 boxes at once is sure to make a massive dent in clutter, but gradual donations are similarly effective, and they don’t require nearly as much effort. An important thing to remember when undertaking the task of decluttering is that it is a process; trying to get rid of everything all at once will result in an unnecessary amount of stress.

 

Organize

As countless other professionals have noted, decluttering isn’t all about getting rid of things; in many instances, it’s simply about putting things where they belong.

Consequently, it’s recommended that every decluttering effort include some time to organize items. Closets, cabinets, and under-bed spaces are great storage options, especially when the items are neatly placed in containers and bags before they’re added to these locations. While getting rid of items can certainly free up space, organizing your things in a logical, functional way can help declutter your home, as well.

 

Tend to Non-Physical Clutter

Last but certainly not least, clutter doesn’t have to be physical; plenty of people suffer from digital clutter, and many of these individuals don’t even know it!

Tech is an important part of modern living, and the more difficult tech is to use, the harder it is to live. That might sound dramatic, but the reality is that encountering trouble where it’s not supposed to be found—like on the web and on tech devices—is a surefire way to become tired and annoyed. Needless to say, tech-produced fatigue and annoyance negatively impact other facets of life.

Uninstall useless apps, delete unimportant contacts, unsubscribe from less-than-stellar email lists, and enjoy a freer, more straightforward life.

These decluttering tips will help individuals who are looking to be as happy and stress-free as possible. Remember that decluttering initiatives begin with a single step; beyond getting started, consistency and time are necessary to produce significant results.

Regarding Fashion As Art

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The fashion world carries with it many of the same pretenses of the art world, but for most people, clothing still remains a necessity rather than a true art form. This is, in part, because fashion is an applied art. Art is often seen as extraneous. Music, paintings, and film are consumed or displayed in homes and galleries, but they don’t have a concrete value in our daily living. Clothing, on the other hand, is a necessity to protect us against the environment. But just as practical crafts like pottery started as a way to serve our practical needs and has since become a form of art, so can fashion.

 

This is a notion that’s finding its footing in museums and galleries throughout the world. The Savage Beauty exhibit was introduced at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2011, and it’s become one of the top ten most-visited exhibits at the Met, putting it in the company of Picasso and the Mona Lisa. Featuring clothing by designer Alexander McQueen, this show took works of art typically viewed on the catwalk and brought them to a more traditional museum habitat. The Met now hosts its own Costume Institute, and they’ve since brought on legendary fashion journalist (and Vogue editor-in-chief) Anna Wintour to further blur the line between high fashion and high art.

 

The Met isn’t the only museum treating fashion more seriously. In fact, many are beginning to push the boundaries of what fashion can be and creating highly specialized exhibits. The Museum of Fine Art in Boston has introduced a #techstyle exhibit exploring fashion that’s inspired by modern technology. Many of the products on display at this exhibit have moved well beyond the notion that clothing is meant to be worn, providing pieces that are highly impractical. And this exhibit is delving deep into cutting edge processes for designing art by displaying pieces made from technologies like 3D printing.

 

And while the notion of showing fashion in museums isn’t new (such exhibits go back as far as the mid-1940s), they are seeing a greater role in the spotlight. As with anything, art is a mutable thing, and it won’t be received the same way by everyone. We have yet to reach the point where anyone can objectively say which clothing is “art” and which isn’t, but that’s just the way of things in the art world. Regardless, a move towards the legitimization of fashion as an art form is a promising sign looking forward.

What Is The Best Time of Day to Take Pictures?

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The ideal time to take pictures varies for each individual because aesthetic taste differs from person to person. Apart from artistic taste, it also depends on the photographer’s artistic preference and any significance they wish to convey through lighting effects. While cloudy skies may have a melancholic effect on some, cloudy weather may bring back long cherished jocund childhood memories for others. This subjective view can influence both the photographer’s preference and the viewer’s interpretation.

 

An objective view, however, considers the photogenic significance of a particular hour of the day to determine what could be the best time of the day to take pictures. For instance, some believe that “Golden Hour,” which occurs at sunrise or sunset, is better suited to take pictures while others favor “Blue Hour,” which occurs a little after dawn before the sun is fully visible on the horizon.

 

Advocates of Golden Hour consider it best to take pictures in the golden glow of early morning and sunset when the landscapes are suffused with warm radiant colors. Obviously, the radiant sunlight makes it an ideal time to take pictures, but some of its drawbacks make people consider other options. For example, during Golden Hour, light changes swiftly and constantly which often leaves a speculative artistic mind disconcerted. Because of its short duration, the better your time management in Golden Hour, the better the shot.

 

Alternatively, Blue Hour is a favorite with many people when the colors are permeated with extra blue hue. Contrary to the bright colors of the Golden Hour, the light at this hour is relatively softer. As the light from the sun falls indirectly on the subject, this time is best suited to make some natural objects in a landscape striking and others shadowed. If you choose this hour, be assured that this is the best time to capture natural beauty but be warned that its duration is even shorter than the Golden Hour.

 

Shooting pictures during the daytime mostly needs tricky manipulation of daylight and shadows to produce the best photographic effects. Shooting on a cloudy day or in the shadow of a building will let you have even light to capture a perfect shot of your subject’s features. On the contrary, taking pictures in the broad daylight may disappoint you by creating unwanted shadows of prominent features like nose, ears, or even eyes. There are many factors that play into the best time of day for your purposes, so considering all options and making an appropriate choice can help improve your photography!

Photography Editing Tips for the Digital Age

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With smartphones, everyone has a high-quality camera in their pockets these days. Some professional photographers even use cellphones to do their work. However, even with a great camera, not all pictures look great. When it comes to professional photography, the editing process can make a world of difference.

 

Editing Apps

Rather than wait to download photos from your phone, you can edit them on the same device! From the built-in editing app (which has some great capabilities) to the multitude of third-party apps available, photo editing apps can enhance the quality of your pictures. There are limitations to the app programmed on your device, so using multiple apps can benefit you. Whether you want to touch up blemishes, adjust the contrast, or add a filter, apps are a great advanced way to edit your pictures.

 

Layers

Tools like Photoshop and Lightroom are great for editing pictures, but knowing how to use them is part of the challenge. For the best results, it’s important that you recognize the function and benefits of layers. Layers can help you make temporary changes to color, tint, contrast, and more; if you decide you don’t like the effect, it’s easy to simply delete the layer and start over. Using layer masks also enables you to make edits like color swaps to only selected areas of the image. When making multiple small edits and trying new effects, knowing how to use layers can be a lifesaver.

 

Dodge & Burn

When editing your pictures on a device, this is a great technique for adjusting the lighting to your own specifications. Based on darkroom methods, dodging and burning aids in making the subject of your picture stand out. Using this method can help even out skin tones, create a sense of depth, and balance out contrast.

 

Consistency

By using the same program(s) to edit all your pictures, you can create a standard for yourself and your customers. However, if you want to really establish yourself, consistency is key. What this means depends on the photographer. Maybe you want all your images to have a similar palette or the same temperate. It’s also important that you ensure consistency across your subjects. If you are photographing the same individual or setting multiple times, you should strive to edit them in a similar fashion; if the shade of your subject’s skin or the hue of your focal scenery varies too greatly without artistic purpose across pictures, this could reflect poorly on your editing skills.

 

Editing your pictures is much easier with the aid of digital tools, and you should learn how to best utilize them to get the best pictures for your portfolio and clientele.

Improving Your Travel Photography

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One of the best aspects of traveling is the moments you are able to capture through your photos. These memories are ones you can keep with you forever, so it is important that you are aware of the basic skills to ensure that you are getting high qualities photos. So, here are some simple tips that will help you get the most out of your travel photography and capture every single moment as they come.

 

Focus On Faces

This tip might seem a bit obvious, but it is still important to note. Whether you are looking to capture wildlife or people, you want to focus your lens on the face of your most important subject. Most people are naturally drawn to the eyes, so that is probably where you will want to focus.

 

Learn The Lingo

One great tip will be to take some time during your travels to learn some of the basic language skills pertinent to your location. Knowing how to say simple phrases like “hello, excuse me, please, thank you, sorry, yes, and no” will go a long way even in those countries where English is spoken in the tourist areas. This basic knowledge of the language can even make a difference in regards to the access you might receive and the things you can see. Language can open the doors to things that would otherwise be closed to the average tourist.

 

Hire A Translator Or Guide

Sometimes, getting access to the everyday lives of people is challenging if you do know any of the locals, especially if it is your first time at that location. So, you might want to consider hiring a guide or a translator who can communicate with the locals on a deeper level that goes beyond knowing basic phrases. This guide can help you make great friends and introduce you to unique people and places where you can catch some of your more memorable moments.

 

Shoot Fast

When taking photos in fascinating cultural settings, you will need a completely different mindset than if you are shooting landscapes. You will want to think less about the image quality and more about capturing the moment. You can be ready by relying on your autofocus and fast shutter speeds which will freeze the action. Handheld devices will be the way to go here because you will not have the time to fiddle around with a tripod.

Common Long Exposure Photography Mistakes To Avoid

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Over the last few years, long exposures have become a popular form of photography, and with the right tools along with a proper understanding of the techniques, you can create incredibly surreal and dreamlike portrait and landscape images. These images take time and preparation to capture, and the last thing you want is for something to go wrong that you could have easily avoided. So, with that said, here are some of the most common long exposure photography mistakes and how you can avoid them.

 

Not Properly Locking Down Tripod Legs

One of the simplest things that often gets overlooked is your tripod or mounting system. When shooting on tripods, typically, we do not think about how stable the legs are or whether we have locked everything tightly down. When it comes to long exposure photography shooting images for several seconds to minutes long, someone simply walking by can be enough to shift the tripod and ruin your image. Make sure you are using a sturdy tripod and ensure that every point of adjustment is locked down as tight as possible to avoid image shake. Some tripods might even come with hooks are a mounting system on their center column which would allow you to attach a sandbag and add some weight and stability to your system.

 

Leaving The Viewfinder Open

When dealing with photographs that take 30+ seconds, your viewfinder can be one of the easiest things to forget. Leaving the viewfinder open can lead to light leaks and often leave strange colored blobs in your shot. Make sure to cover your viewfinder to avoid the light leaking in from there. Some cameras will have a switch built in to close it up, but if not, place some black gaff tape or any other handy materials over the camera back.

 

Not Using Mirror Lock

When you are using a DSLR and looking through a viewfinder, what you are doing is looking into a mirror which is looking into another mirror over your camera’s sensor. So, when you take a picture, the mirror flips up, and shutter activates to take the shot, after which the mirror flips back down. This might not seem like a big deal, but when it comes to shooting long exposures, this can create some shake to the image. So, if you want to avoid this issue, set your camera, assuming it has this feature, to “M-Up” and then get ready for the two-step process for the shot.

Now, once you line up the shot, you can click the shutter release button which will lift the mirror and then you will need to click the button again to activate the shutter to take the shot. Another option is to enable “Live-View” mode if your camera supports it which will shoot your images with the mirror already lifted. For those with a mirrorless camera such as the Sony A7/A9 series of Fuji can ignore this mistake avoidance step.

History of the Birkin Bag

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Jennifer Lopez, Eva Longoria, Alessandra Ambrosio, Kim Kardashian West and Sofia Vergara are just a few of the many celebrities who have been photographed carrying beautiful Birkin bags.

The iconic handbag is defined by its glamorous but humble beginnings when model Jane Birkin and Hermès chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas met by chance on an airplane ready for departure. The year was 1981, and Ms. Birkin’s overstuffed straw bag tumbled out of the overhead compartment spilling its contents on top of her.

Mr. Dumas saw it all and became inspired to “build” a better bag for women everywhere. In 1984, the stylish, practical, rectangular Hermès Birkin bag debuted at $2,000, and it was ideal for traveling, chic and came with plenty of room for storage. Word has it that the model drew her idea of the perfect handbag on a disposable airplane sickness bag for the designer.

Today, the Birkin bag is a wise and elegant investment for fashionable women. The handbag is a classic that gains in value each passing year. For example, Christie’s Auction in Hong Kong sold the most pricey handbag ever. The winning bid brought in a colossal $379,261 for the brand’s Himalayan bag.

Over the years, Hermès bags have been associated with the popular girls of society like actress Grace Kelly. That sophisticated handbag from the Hermès collection was nicknamed the Kelly because the former Monaco princess carried it everywhere. It achieved instant status due to Grace Kelly’s celebrity.

The Birkin bag, however, is constructed with a unique anatomy that gives it a spectacular following. The Birkin resembles a tote and comes with classy features like a lock and key to ensure all contents remain inside the bag. The design also enables the handbag to stand up on its own with four feet or clou at the bottom of the bag.

The Birkin bag provides a clouchette or leather cover for keys, and on the inside of the bag is one open pocket and a zipped pocket.

These days, Birkin bags aren’t cheap; they range in retail price from $11,900-$150,000 and come in a choice of gorgeous colors and six types of leather. Resale prices can reach up to $230,000 for one.

The Birkin bag has undeniable sex appeal and never gets old.

10 of the Latest Photography Gadgets

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The latest innovations in photography showcase gadgets that span a wide range of useful applications, which includes both complex and simple functionality.

1. Datacolor SpyderCube

This handy addition to any photographer’s kit works by being the single point of reference for light balance within the frame of any shot, which saves post-processing steps later.

2. Tinxi Hot Shoe Two Axis Bubble Spirit Level

Rather than eye-balling whether or not a picture’s frame aligns with the chosen horizon, photographers can instantly see when their camera’s position is level for the perfect shot the first time.

3. Joby GorillaPod Hybrid Tripod for Compact System Cameras with Integrated Ballhead

Shoots that require creative angles in hard-to-reach places, the bendable and jointed legs on this tripod can give a photographer a lot of flexibility in pursuit of the perfect shot.

4. Rogue FlashBender 2 Portable Lighting Kit

With so many modification options for flashgun attachments in this kit, photographers can experiment and play with lighting effects in countless new and interesting ways.

5. Hahnel UniPal Extra

Camera accessories that serve dual-purposes like this are a photographer’s best friend, especially when it charges a battery and operates as a power bank, too.

6. Lastolite by Manfrotto Joe Mcnally Ezybox Speed-lite 2 Plus

The portable versatility of this miniature softbox, which can be used as an attachment or as a standalone, opens up the possibilities for portrait photographers who work outside of a studio.

7. Lensbaby Spark

The build on this lens lets the photographer quickly and easily choose the angle of their soft-focus shot without having to adjust minute details each time they shift the perspective.

8. Rode VideoMic Pro R

While a built-in microphone comes standard with many DSLR cameras, serious professionals know that a mounted and shockproof mic like this is the only way to get the best quality audio possible.

9. NG Mediterranean Camera Tote Bag

A tote that doesn’t advertise it carries a bunch of expensive camera equipment is the photographer’s best friend while they’re on location for shoots in busy areas or traveling with a compact kit.

10. Transcend 2TB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive

Modern storage options need to maximize their internal space and minimize their external vulnerability, which makes this a great choice for photographers who need a durable and expansive hard drive.

Social Media Sites You Should Use If You’re a Photographer

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With social media increasing online presence and engagement, photographers are able to use social media platforms to build out portfolios, interact with clients and other photographers, and engage with the industry in ways they have previously been unable to. If you’re a photographer, using social media can be a valuable way to extend your brand and find new opportunities for you. Here are some social media sites you should use if you’re a photographer.

 

Instagram

While it may seem an obvious platform, Instagram boasts an influential reputation as a hub for all things photography. As a social media platform, it is formatted to focus on photographs, and users have the ability to like and comment on posts. As a result, Instagram proves useful for branding, as well as networking. Photographers can also link to personal websites on their profiles.

 

Facebook

Perhaps one of the largest social networking sites, Facebook has the potential to reach a global audience. In addition to posting pictures on personal accounts, photographers can also make photography-specific pages to highlight their craft and offer their services. Facebook offers a wide-reaching platform for photographers looking to establish their reputation.

 

Behance

Providing a streamlined and easily navigated site, Behance is an ideal platform to develop a portfolio and begin branding. With a creative community, as well as additional resources—such as job listings, apps, and featured works—Behance offers both exposure and opportunities.

 

Pinterest

Providing organization and simple searching options, Pinterest proves a prominent platform for visual media. With options for business back-linking and the potential to reach wide audiences, Pinterest can provide photographers with a prime platform for branding and gaining exposure.

 

Tumblr

Providing creative freedom, Tumblr provides photographers the opportunity to post their work on an aesthetically streamlined platform. As users have the ability to repost and comment, Tumblr encompasses branding, exposure, networking, and more.

 

500px

500px is the ideal platform for photographers who want to immerse themselves in the photography community. The platform displays works from photographers worldwide, allowing ultimate community exposure and engagement. As a result of this, users are able to connect with photographers and build valuable networks within the industry.

 

Freelancer

For beginning photographers looking to establish a portfolio, Freelancer provides a platform for beginners to access projects. Photographers can use the platform to find jobs to gain experience, build out their portfolio, and establish a presence for themselves. It is also a way for photographers to begin making money off of their services.

 

As social media continues to aid online engagement, photographers can utilize platforms to build out their brand and network. Though there are many options to sift through, beginning with these in mind will help increase your online presence and opportunities as a photographer.