Click Issue3

CLICK - capture the moment with Stancliffe Studios

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April 2008 – Issue 3

This month’s edition of Click is a portrait special, for pets and people! We also have a special article about the Charity FABLE and how they are giving you a fantastic opportunity to have a ladies day!

Portraiture photography is a huge subject and to even scratch the surface of this topic, I could rattle on for hours and still only give you an overview. Instead this months edition I thought I'd explain a little about how portrait photography is changing and what that means to you the consumer.

In addition to giving you some insider information on the trends within portrait photography, I'll also give you some insight in what you can do with your images once you've had them taken. Plus check out the regular spots in the left had column - bride's tip and website of the month

As for next month edition, to be honest I've not decided what to do yet... ...so if you have got a particular idea you'd like us to discuss, then drop us a note. To submit an idea please use our contact form or give me (Karl) a call at the studio, I'd love to hear from you.

Inside this issue

Portrait Special Edition

The "face" of portraits is changing

It's all in the presentation

FABLE and New You Event

Latest News - Trash The Dress

Bride’s Tip

Website of the month

Everyone's a critic!

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What does Ann Summers and a 'Waxathon' have in Common?

Read on to find out what they have in common and why size really does matter!
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Quick Links to Stancliffe Studios

Bride’s Tip

A recent tip I've received is about the Wedding Ring Workshop. A company with workshops in London, Edinburgh & USA allows you to design and make each other's wedding rings. For more information visit their website at www.weddingringworkshop.co.uk.

Another great option if you want custom designed jewellery, but at high street prices is to visit Lindsay Walker. All her beautiful jewellery is designed specifically for you and is handcrafted in her local workshop. Visit Lindsay's website at www.lindsaywalker.com.

Website of the month

Staying with the portrait theme I wondered who had been one of the most influential portrait photographers. The one that immediately came to mind was the ground breaker Andy Warhol, his most famous piece probably being the portrait of Marilyn Monroe.

His work today is still copied by millions, to see some of his original prints and learn about this famous photographer visit www.warhols.com.

Everyone's a critic!

Please help us to help you. As part of our commitment to giving excellent service, we are particularly interested to learn your views about our latest eMagazine. We therefore ask for 2 minutes of your time to give us your feedback. Recognising your time is precious, we have created a very simple feedback form available directly through our website, simple click here. If you prefer we always welcome any feedback via email or directly to our studio on 0114-233-1135

Thank you for your help.

Yours sincerely

Karl Stancliffe

The "face" of portraits is changing

"Originally a portrait was a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person. For this reason, in photography a portrait is generally not a snapshot, but a composed image of a person in a still position. A portrait often shows a person looking directly at the painter or photographer, in order to most successfully engage the subject with the viewer."

The above description, taken from Wikipedia simply highlights what many people today believe portrait photography to be. Well if this is you, I hate to say this, but times have changed... ...whilst portrait photography has always, and will continue to be about capturing a person, that it doesn't that have to be staring down the barrel of a lens in a brightly lit studio. Today's social or lifestyle portrait photography means you can have your photographs taken anywhere.

Don't get me wrong, the studio still plays a hugely pivotal role in portrait photography, but the percentage of images taken outside of the studio is on the increase. This style of photography is especially good for nervous children, who will feel much more comfortable in familiar surroundings rather than in a white walled studio.

The desire to capture the "real" person is what people demand in today's portrait photography and there is no better way of doing this then in a scenario they feel comfortable. Want two boys to feel relaxed, then take them down the park and give them a football. Or how about a young couple who want some engagement photographs, then a hand held walk in the local stately home such as Harewood House, or a cuddle under an old oak tree.

Documentary styled photography is also another shift in the field of portrait photography. This style is more commonly used in wedding photography, in they way the day is captured in a photojournalistic style. That mindset is now making a rapid transition into the field of portraiture photography, in that people are using photographs to document certain times of their life. The most popular area we see is the first year or years of a new born child. We now take these images not with a view of creating one wall hanging photograph, but with a view of creating a whole book of images to keep, and to pass these down from generation to generation.

If you want to know more about the shift in photography trends and how that can bring out the real person in you and your loved one (including your pet), then call Karl today at the studio. In addition and to support this growing trend, Stancliffe Studios will soon be offering "Picnic Portraits". We hope to release more details in the next edition, which will hopefully coincide with some nice weather!

It's all in the presentation

A photograph, however good or bad, can be changed significantly by the way it is displayed, and with so many options how do you chose which one to use?

We are seriously spoilt for choice in this digital era of photography, with the dawn of acrylic printing, canvas, digital photo frames, and even iPod Slideshows. Making the right decision has never been harder, but here are a few tips to help you along the way.

The first rule is keep it simple and let your photograph do the talking not the way you have presented it. Don't fall foul of thinking a flash new frame will improve it, so much so the style of acrylic printing and deep canvas wraps means it's only the image which is visible with nothing else to detract from the original reason for displaying it. Even today's digital photo frames stick to the rule of "less is more", by creating simply borders either black or white, as both colours do not detract you away from the image it is trying to display.

Another good rule to follow is keep it relevant to the photography you are displaying. If your picture is as funky as Andy Warhol's then you can get anyway with something equally of its time. Pictures taken outside might be more complimented by a wooden frame then a silver one, or an image captured at a kids party might look better in a vibrant red acrylic frame.

My next rule is to be bold, which at times might seem to contradict the first two rules, but you decide! What I mean by bold doesn't necessarily mean following the very latest craze, but at the same time don't be scared to try something new. You don't have to display something these days in a 4:3 ratio, but instead why not try square or a long image perhaps. See the photograph of the baby to see what I mean.

Rule 4, if we like it or not, size really does matter! If I'm ever not sure what size I think will work, then I simply make it bigger. If you have taken a photograph you really like then display at a size you can see from where ever you are in the room.

My final rule, which definitely does conflict with the previous rules (or does it), is that there are no rules to displaying an image. Ultimately whatever or however you display your photographs, then this should be personal to you and your home or office. If you love it, then its right for you!

What ever you choose, my only real advice is enjoy your photographs. Today people take thousands of images using either their mobile phone, pocket cameras or expensive SLR's, but the vast majority are condoned to live existing on your home pc, never to see the light of day. So if this is you, then why don't you diary some time to get that favourite photographed printed and put on display. And if you haven't got a photograph or one that you like, then drop into the studio and we'll soon have that resolved as well...

In Aid of FABLE - New You Event & Fashion Show

Ladies, please do NOT miss this fantastic event... ...Stancliffe Studios are proud to be supporting the "New You Event 2008" on Saturday the 17th May in aid of the charity FABLE (For A Better Life with Epilepsy). The event will take place between 10:00am and 5:30pm at Sheffield Town Hall.

For just £1 entry fee you get access to a huge array of stalls, including Gash, Body Shop, Ann Summers and many more. As well as the stalls there will be a large array of demonstrations and charity events such as "waxathon" (my eyes are watering at the very thought). The day also includes a HUGE raffle (check out the dedicated website for more information) and an awesome fashion show!!!

The whole day is aimed at ladies, so leave the boys at home (watching the football probably) and come and join us for a fantastic day. Even better you can say all that fun and shopping was all in aid of the FABLE Charity. This special event also coincides with the start of National Epilepsy Week from the 18th to 24th May, some come along and we look forward to seeing your there.

For the dedicated New You Event website visit www.newyouevent.co.uk.

For more information about FABLE visit their website at www.fable.org.uk.

And finally please help us make a huge difference to this very worthwhile charity and also to the three ladies that have made it all possible, Sandra Howard and Sarah Green from FABLE and the delightful Lindsay Stephens of The Works Nail & Beauty Studio.

PS: If you can't make the event, but would still like to donate, then simply click on the FABLE Dragon, or visit the website www.justgiving.com/fable.

Thank you for your support!

FABLE is a registered charity in England & Wales, no: 1058958

Click Issue 3 - Portrait Special Edition