Street Fashion Photography

I have a little something different planned for today's Saturday Blogger Love.  Instead of a blog, it's an article I read online, that got my brain going.  

I have fashion on the brain right now.  I read this article over on Refinery 29 about the evolution of street style photography, and where it's going in the future.    I remember looking at Bill Cunningham's photos in college, and thinking they were reminiscent of the Farm Security Administration (FSA) photography group that thrived during the great depression from about 1935 -1944.  The FSA program was formed during the New Deal, and photographers were hired by the government to document the daily lives of the common people.  Amazing photographs capturing the true essence of that era were created by great photographers like Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans.  The photos were meant to be used as educational material, and for the media to help the public fight against poverty in rural America.  Bill Cunningham's photos definitely send an entirely different message, but there is a familiarity between the two styles.  Here are a few examples of my favorite photos from the FSA group.

Photo by Dorothea Lange, 1937

Photo by Russell Lee, 1939

Photo by Dorothea Lange, 1936

Both photos by Walker Evans, 1936

Do you see the similarity I see?  The FSA photos and Cunningham's street style photos both tell a story about the people of America, albeit two completely different stories.  Whether America is poor or doing well we like to dress fashionable.  Look at the man in the suit!  I can't imagine there were too many people that could afford a full suit in 1939, but that doesn't mean they didn't own them.  Maybe it's not a good thing that we are willing to spend more on clothing than we are on quality food, but that's a whole different topic!  

As for the future of street photography, with everyone becoming a photographer, and/or fashion journalist/blogger, there will be a lot less room at the top.  But!!  I don't think that means that people will ever stop wanting to know how other people around the world are living.  Street fashion photography doesn't just say 'hey, this is what's in. wear this trend!', it speaks about the current culture, economy, and values of everyday people.  Just the other day I was on Chictopia checking out what ladies are wearing in Romania.  I love that at the tip of my fingertips, I can look at what's current in fashion anywhere in the world .  It truly blows my mind.  Just amazing.  So obviously, I don't think street fashion photography is going anywhere.  

That's all for today,  happy Saturday and Happy DIYing, chris!  

On Blogging

I'm approaching the six month mark for my blog.  Wow.  I'm glad that I've committed to this, and I think it is definitely helping me move towards some of my bigger goals.  I'm really proud of what I've put out so far, but I still want to improve ( a LOT ).  Maybe on some days I would like to be doing better with this thing then I am.  But I'm happy to have so many likes on facebook (holding strong at 178!), and my wonderful 21 followers.  Thank you for reading my blog everyone!  I couldn't be more proud to have you as my guest!  

Though I have to be honest, some days my lil' blog can feel like more work than it's worth.  For this Saturday Blogger Love, I wanted to share some bloggers that have written some inspiring words for when blogging gets hard, and it's the last thing you'd like to be doing.  I want to keep at this blog, because I have bigger goals for myself than where I am right now, and my blog is keeping my mind goal oriented, and my creative juices flowing.  Speaking of creativity Real Simple had a fantastic article by A.J. Jacobs on "How To Be More Creative".  Totally inspirational, and made me want to work harder to craft pieces that are true to my visual aesthetic, and to keep making things that make me happy.  

35mm b&w film

Elizabeth over on Delightfully Tacky has been writing some beautiful thoughts on having an Existential Crisis in the blogosphere, and Clearing (your) Head when your blog hits a turning point.  I couldn't agree with her words more.  I want to move into the woods and have a garden, and Aaron and I could have our own little self sufficient haven, and let our natural talents flourish.  I'd love to own a boutique that sells an eclectic collection of unique handcrafted pieces.  I'm not always sure how all these goals work into my blog, or where I fit into the blog world, and Elizabeth couldn't have expressed these thoughts better.  

35mm b&w film

My Girl Thursday wrote about being a quitter, and not giving up on her blog, even when all the other outside pressures make you want to run the other way.  On some days it's hard to remember that this blog is for me, and that it doesn't matter how many views I had today or yesterday.  Or that none of my new posts seem to surpass the ratings on my paper pulp seed cups DIY post.  This blog is for me to have a place to gather together all my thoughts, skills, and goals.  A place to stew on those things and let them grow into something bigger.  

35mm b&w film

Heather over on Musings of A Girl and San on The In Between Is Mine shared their thoughts on blogging, relationships and connecting.  I've always struggled with my personal connections with other people, and a lot of Heather and San's words rang true for me.  It's always reassuring to hear other people feel the same way I do.  I read a lot of established blogger's tips on growing your new blog, and it's obvious that networking and making a blogging community is important to the growth, and maybe the sustainability of your blog.  I have to imagine having blogger friends helps on the hard days, and helps to push your blog to new places, and keep your posts current and relevant to the outside world.  I don't want fear of rejection to keep me from making blogging friends.  I want to write some heartfelt emails to some of the blogging ladies I enjoy following, but I don't want to get down if I don't hear back from any of them.  But who knows, maybe by this time next month I'll have one new blogging friend!  

In case anyone is wondering I photographed all the photos used in this post using a 35mm SLR (I don't remember if I was using my Pentax, or my friend's Nikon) back in 2003.  I love what my eye saw back then, I want to make more art like this.  Hope ya'll are having a wonderful Saturday, and Happy DIYing, chris!