Friday Photo

These days black and white photography is often associated with something nostalgic or vintage. To get a truly authentic vintage looking black and white photograph you can't simply switch a colour photograph using a filter, you need to replicate the lighting styles used in earlier times.

How To Choose the Right Photographer For You

There are a lot of people out there calling themselves photographer's these days, and while I don't necessarily think everyone has to have a degree or X years of experience to be good, you should be selective in your choice and do your research. Here are a few points to consider when choosing a photographer.

Environment

Whatever style you are looking to create, whether it is cheeky pinup, sexy boudoir or some other retro or vintage style, you will want to feel comfortable. The photographer and/or assistant should help you to feel at ease and give you some direction as to how to pose to achieve the look you are aiming for. How long do you have in front of the camera? Is there a female on hand to assist? My advice is to talk to them beforehand to develop your idea. As well, you should talk to friends who have used the photographer's services or seek out other's recommendations.

Hair and Makeup

Generally the photographer should be able to arrange this for you. Alternatively, if you are confident to do it yourself (maybe you are a makeup artist!) this should be reflected in the price. Again, it is a good idea to discuss your ideas beforehand to make sure they can be achieved. As with choosing a photographer, have a look at the work of the makeup artist/hair stylist. Again, they do not necessarily have to have a certain qualification, but you should take a good look at their work and see if you would be happy with that look.

Editing and Retouching

Have a look at the photographer's work. Are they able to create the look and feel you are after?
Editing generally refers to selection of the best images and may include some colour adjustment and cropping. Do you get to choose the images (with advice from the photographer if needed) or will the photographer choose them for you?
Retouching is the digital manipulation of the images and can range from slight to major. You should discuss with the photographer to determine what level of retouching you are happy with. Generally skin smoothing and smoothing out of any bulges (such as bra overhang) enhance the picture while not making you appear drastically different.

Styling

Do you need any assistance with choosing your outfit, accessories or props? Again it's best to thoroughly work through your idea beforehand and determine if the photographer can create it.

What do you get?

Make sure to ask what you will get for your money. Will you only get low-resolution images suitable for sharing on Facebook? Will you get high resolution images that will allow you to print off pictures yourself? And most importantly what about copyright of the images? Will the photographer give you permission to submit them for publication? Or even share them on Facebook?

In summary, do your research and ask questions. And let me know if you have any tips to add!

Friday Photo

Photo by Whiskey & Rye Photography

Different angles add interest!
At Whiskey and Rye Photography we like to look at things from a different perspective.

Pretty Things - Bakelite

Vintage Bakelite Bangles from Brighter Bakelite

I LOVE bakelite bangles! I love the colours and I especially love the sound they make when they tap against each other!

But what is bakelite?
One of the first plastics made from synthetic components, Bakelite was used for its electrical nonconductivity and heat-resistant properties in electrical insulators, radio and telephone casings, and such diverse products as kitchenware, jewelry, pipe stems, and children's toys. It was developed by Belgian-born chemist Leo Baekeland in New York in 1907.

Here are some snippets about bakelite jewellery from About.com
- Butterscotch and pea green are the most common and, generally, the least expensive colors.
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- Heavily carved bangles, bangles with polka dots or multiple colors laminated together, and figural pins are among the most expensive items sought by Bakelite collector's today.
- Bakelite can be tested for authenticity by feel, sight, sound and smell.

Due to the popularity of vintage bakelite, there are unfortunately other plastics being passed off as bakelite - sometimes referred to as 'Fakelite' by those in the know! During my research I found quite a number of 'tests' to determine if something really is make of bakelite, and have included a couple here.

MOST ACCURATE: The Hot Water Test
The best test is to run the piece under hot tap water.
If it smells a little like your old high school chemistry lab (formaldehyde), it's Bakelite.
If it smells like vicks vapo-rub (camphor), it's Celluloid.
If it smells like burnt milk, it's Galalith (1920's).
If it smells clean, or like nothing at all, it's lucite or acrylic.

The Simichrome Test
Carry a tube of Simichrome chrome cleaner (available at flea markets, some hardware stores, and Pep Boys) and a few Q-tips with you. Put a very small amount of Simichrome on the Q-tip. With the dealer's permission, rub a tiny (1/4") spot on an unobtrusive place of the jewelry with the Q-tip. Then look at the Q-tip. If the polish changes color from pink to amber-yellow, it's Bakelite. If it stays pink, it's some other plastic. Remember to wipe the polish off the jewelry when you're done!
Note: This is not always an accurate test. Some pieces of black Bakelite do not turn the Simichrome from pink to yellow, even though they're Bakelite.

Do you have any favourite pieces of bakelite jewellery? I'd love to hear about them if you do!

 

Friday Photo

The little details can make a big difference. Look out for accessories that complement your outfit or theme such as hats, gloves, handbags or hair flowers. This lovely hair flower is by Berry Bombshell.

Book Review - Max Factor, The Man Who Changed the Faces of the World

Max Factor

The Man Who Changed the Faces of the World

This book tells the story of Max Faktor who was born in Poland and worked as a beautician and wigmaker to the Russian Imperial Family in the 1900s. He brought his expertise to America after he fled Russia with his family.

Max Factor was a magician with hair and cosmetics and brought make-up to the average woman, who previously thought only stage performers and prostitutes painted their faces.

The book contains numerous stories of how Max's transformations of actors and actresses helped them to become huge stars including Clara Bow, Joan Crawford, Rudolph Valentino and Rita Hayworth. In 1930, his transformation of Jean Harlow from a natural blonde to a platinum blonde launched a national craze.

 It also tells of his genius in developing new technologies in makeup to keep up with the changes in the movie making industry. In 1926 he developed water-proof makeup as it was needed for a spy film Mare Nostrum. This was later used in hundreds of productions including those starring Esther Williams. Bette Davis and Claudette Colbert actually refused to appear in Technicolour films as the public considered them a novelty and the Panchromatic makeup used in black and white films was unflattering on colour film. After several years of research, Max and his son developed the now famous Pan-Cake makeup, which the stars loved so much it kept disappearing from the dressing rooms!

This is an extraordinary story of how one man changed the face of Hollywood and the average woman and I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in makeup, pinup or vintage glamour and Hollywood movie stars.

Let me know if you have any favourite biographies of pinups, burlesque or Hollywood movie stars, as I am always on the lookout for a great read!

Friday Photo

A pic from a recent 'boudoir' style shoot with Whiskey and Rye Photography.

Boudoir is French for a lady's private bedroom, sitting room or dressing room.
Boudoir photography aims to create an erotic or semi-nude portrait where the nudity is generally implied rather than explicit. These are usually shot in a studio or luxury hotel suite.
Boudoir portraits are popular for brides-to-be to surprise their future husband, anniversaries, birthdays or Valentine's day gifts.