Well how about an Alliteration title to start things out! So glad to be blogging once again, but I must warn you that this post is going to be quite short (thus enjoy the pictures while you can).
However, for a little introduction to the post this was the ensemble I wore to church this Sunday (yesterday). I had made this dress back at the beginning of July but haven't gotten around to blogging about it until now (typical). Can I just say I am so in LOVE with this dress! I created it from two patterns, a 1940's reproduction blouse pattern and a modern dress pattern. The results were exactly what I was looking for in a 1940's house/day dress. Plus, the simple cotton fabric in a light shade of blue with dainty pink flower buttons made it all the better :)
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| Dress:Made; Shoes:Old Navy; Belt: Minnie's Menagerie; Parasol: sisters |
I stole this parasol from my sister! She picked two of them up at a garage sale years ago and today was the perfect day to use it for pictures. There is just something a little extra about throwing in a parasol or umbrella into photos.....I don't know?
However, while we are on the topic of photos I have realized that I need to become more familiar with my camera and its multiple settings! I have a Cannon EOS Rebel T3 (which is super nice), but until I become more versed in using the settings to my advantage I am going to continually be slightly disappointed with the shots I take. I am just a little obsessed right now with those pictures that have such a magically blurry background (no matter the background setting) and that look absolutely FABULOUS! Then of course when I try to take pictures like those it never quite works like I want it accept in head shots (like the one below).
I suppose I need to kidnap a friend one day and force them to be my model for an hour while I play with my camera more? Or I could watch a few videos online.....or read a few books????? Whatever the case, that is my current dilemma that I hope to soon work through (if you have any tips please pass them on...hehe).
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| These were the two patterns I used to create the dress. Left pattern was for the skirt and Right pattern's top right blouse was used for the bodice. Well I suppose that is all I have time to right. However, I have a number of exciting posts planned (if they go according to plan) that I can't wait to get started. Until next time dear readers! Do you like Parasols? Do you have any tips for perfectly blurry backgrounds? |
Love the dress! We girls are actually using that peplum blouse pattern for some new performance ensembles!
ReplyDeleteAnd as to camera help: the blurry background that you're after is controlled by the aperture of your lens. The lower the aperture (it's the setting with the F in front of it), the more blurry the background. For our girls outfit photos, I usually have it on 2.8, with my 50mm 1.8/F lens. Typically with zoom lenses, you get a blurry background for close-up photos (usually a 3.5 or 4), and then a more in-focus background with more widely-cropped images (like the long outfit shots of you). Hope this helps!
xo,
-Charlotte
boyerfamilysingersblog.com
The dress you made is absolutely darling! I wish I had more time to devote to sewing. I'd love to make dresses like that. :)
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I have a few links/suggestions for your photography problems! (I'm a fairly new photography enthusiast, so I'm still learning myself, but hope I can help you with what I've learned!)
First of all, you said you love the blurry, glowing backgrounds-I do too. :) Perhaps you already know this, but the setting that helps you achieve that look is the aperture-if you use a larger aperture it blurs the background. :)
Here are some links that have been helpful to me-the first is a collection of different posts on a photography website I found interesting:
http://brandyfrank.com/beginners-photography-tips/
And here's a specific post on aperture:
http://brandyfrank.com/understanding-aperture-and-depth-of-field/
And, since you shoot outfit photos, perhaps this fun post will help you:
http://tobebeautifulingodseyes.blogspot.com/2015/01/how-to-snap-perfect-outfit-photo.html
Hope that was helpful and not "stuff you already know"! ;)
You look lovely Madison! It's funny, when I first saw your dress, I thought that the neckline and sleeves looked familiar, so when you said that you used that 1940s repro blouse pattern I wasn't surprised! What an ingenious pattern hack!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Brigid
the Middle Sister and Singer
Very pretty outfit! :D Your parasol is just right! It's such a delicate, feminine look.
ReplyDeleteAs has been said before, a large aperture is important for getting a blurry background. A lens that has a larger aperture capacity can give you an even blurrier background than what you can achieve with a kit lens. I have a Nikon D3100 (which is about the same level as your camera) and used just the kit lens for over a year. Recently I bought a used telephoto zoom lens, which has a /much/ bigger aperture, and gives me beautiful blurry backgrounds! :) In modeling, I also have to make sure I stand farther away from my backdrop. Hope this helps!
I absolutely love your outfit! Hopefully someday I will get to the point in my sewing where I can sew a beautiful dress like yours! :)
ReplyDeleteMolly
themollymouseblog.blogspot.com
Love your dress! And the parasol complements it wonderfully for these photos!! I haven't been brave enough to combine patterns yet, but your execution of it is impeccable!!
ReplyDeleteTerrific pattern combining. This dress is sweet, lovely, and every inch the 1940s look - helped all the more so by this timelessly pretty parasol.
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
So so pretty! The parasol is such a great prop! Very romantic look.
ReplyDeleteI love that blouse pattern, and the fact that you turned it into a dress is just perfect! Plus, the cutest fabric ever!! Such a simple, yet chic summer look. The parasol really does add that perfect finish too. :) ❤
ReplyDeletexox,
bonita of Lavender & Twill