In the Making part 1.
I wanted to make a small blogpost on what physical new goods I have been working on :) - Both of these designs have been ideas I have been brewing inside my head for at least a year. I normally will let something sit for at least six months before I realize, well - I can’t get the idea out of my head so I MUST take action on it haha! Over the past years I have met and collaborated with all kinds of craftsman, especially in the fashion industry. I also had a good friend in the jewelry making industry so decided to call upon him with a ring idea. You can see below some inspiration, some snippets from shoots I have done, and behind the scenes of testing the designs out. These are both staple designs in which I think are understated by exceptional quality and beautiful in their detail. I am extremely excited to have them for sale on our store in the coming weeks and I will keep you up to date with the progress via here and on instagram!!
France on Film Lightroom Presets
Like anytime we create something digital, we desire to showcase a connection in perspective with you guys.
I often say this and I will say it here - we are not selling you presets to show you ‘this is how to edit’, it’s just a starting point to hopefully inspire or teach you something in the form of learning that you can take as a stepping stone (and it happens to be something that sparked inspiration within us). Christian and I often talk about how side projects end up helping main projects we are working on. It’s like your brain needs the time to forget about a problem so it can subconsciously solve it while emerging yourself in a different aspect of creativity.
Often from our side projects we generate a passion to take back to whatever else it is we are creating or thinking about. I say this because I am constantly inspired by simple moods of photographs, perhaps a photo isn’t even trying to say something specific but I connect with the way it makes me feel and inspires another idea within me - that I take and act on. I think that’s perhaps why, to me, sharing presets is so exciting. Because there is a chance this could work for others.
As always we hope to see and be inspired by what you create from our little collection of light & color grades! - you can view these presets aswell as others, texture kits, fonts and tutorials on our shop website here!
Below we I have put some more examples of the presets in use and also a little write up about them / what inspired us both. We have both created 5 (so there are 10 all up in this set). Christian’s 5 are Inspired entirely by the older ways in which France and all her beautiful country-counterparts have been photographed over the last century, he spent a detailed amount of time building presets that mimic the glass work of some of his favorite film cameras as opposed to the film types often associated with them, you can see the titles under here :) V
Below are now some examples of the presets I put together :) These five are based off of Films / movies set in France as I have seen so many amazing ones! I have also placed a little mood board here so you can see the inspiration behind the color and tone choices!
1960 - Of course Amelie has it’s place in here :) 1960 is inspired by the punchy contrast, greens and yellows of this film!
I also added a little grain to this one, and Amelie was also one of the very first films Christian and I saw together (when we first met)! This preset looks really good with images taken in overcast weather or at dusk!
B&W - This one is inspired by the 1966 film ‘Au hasard Balthazar’. The preset is one of my favorites and It also works over images taken through windows, sheets of plastic or other filters, especially to let off the early 1900’s feel. (Which is heavily inspired by documentary style photography and this film as it is set in amongst poverty, however captures simple beauty in nature and people, which is also the goal of this one :)
Blue Ambient - I added this one as a contrast to the others, and also I personally love using blues to compliment warmer images. There is something that feels like home in blue light with a single light on in a house window or a candle around a dinner table. This always makes me excited to photograph people in this light as I feel it’s also extremely flattering. This preset was inspired by the series ‘Les Miserables’, (As well as so many other things), but I saw the series on a plane, and have to admit - I cried constantly (maybe it’s because watching movies on planes just makes you cry). Or the storyline alone is so strong, I was inspired to make something soft, to resemble twilight with blue shadows and peach highlights! This preset is made to use in ambient light, preferably twilight with a little warm contrasting light (like a candle or a lamp).
Painter - Based off the magenta and yellow tones in ‘An American in Paris’. I saw this film recently and loved it! I wanted to replicate the warm / colorful and lively feeling of the film edit and of course the colours of the Parisian markets. This preset works really well with images that have a lot of color and images taken in, in and outdoor light.
Mud - Mud is a preset I made up myself, it’s an accumulation of my own take on french films and the colors that resonate / inspire me when it comes to France. It’s grainy, a little flat with greener washed out tones :)
Camera bodies and Lenses
Camera Bodies & Lenses (from what I’ve learned:)
One of the most frequent questions we are asked is simply about camera gear. What lenses we use, what camera bodies are good / within price ranges and also which film cameras are worth investing in. Although I won’t claim to know a whole lot about film, I have learned some things worth sharing and I can definitely shed some light on what is good on the digital side of things. Below I have listed quite simply the benefits to a few different cameras we have come across and recommend!
CAMERA BODIES - These are some mid to expensive range bodies we are currently using and highly recommend. If you are wanting to invest a decent amount into a camera body…
-The Canon 5D mark 4 (for canon users).
-And for Nikon users , the Nikon D850.
hey are both great for photographing self portraits as they have bluetooth & their own apps that are easy to set up and shoot directly from your phone.
If you photograph more events, I would recommend the Canon as the live view is a lot quicker in terms of show back and when you are wanting to quickly check light / composition etc you can move a little faster.
If you shoot video more, I would go for the Nikon over the canon as it has a better range of video formats including slomo.
Both do have basically everything the other has, I think those little differences in speed and video options do end up being the deciding point in which camera I take to a shoot though :)
For more Affordable bodies
Both of these cameras also come in full frame, older additions which I would recommend if you want to keep the budget smaller. The Nikon D800 or D750 & the Canon 5D mark 3 or mark 2. All of these you can buy used via eBay / online for more or less $800. I used the D800 for years and still do at weddings or for a backup! All of these also have simple video features which end up being really helpful!
Now for a lighter body - which I think is important to note (especially if you are into documentary / wedding photography (or any kind that you don’t want to be noticed with a camera in your hand)! I have never owned Fuj but have wanted one for a while just so I can photograph more subtly in some situations.
Fuji XT - 3 (super compact, touch screen, fast with 4k video opt wifi & bluetooth).
Fuji X100 F - (simple & compact with a fixed lens. incredible image quality with simple video available. This one also lets you see outside the rangefinder in order to anticipate whats coming in documentary or action shots). This one is also a little cheaper than the Fugi XT-3.
LENSES
It’s important to note that everything is in your own unique eye. I rarely think a photograph is made because of the lens, although it does assist, you can work with whatever you have. I have shot entire weddings on the 50mm, 35mm and the 24mm (all separate ones). If you are willing to walk (sometimes really get into peoples faces) and work yourself - you really can get a ton of variety with one lens!
The ones we use however are..
MAINLY - 24mm 1.4 This lens is incredible for atmosphere, landscapes, portraits too (in my opinion) - the lens does easily distort proportions a little as it is so wide, however it’s quite fun to experiment with that in portraiture too!
100mm 2.8 - This one I’ve been using for portraits more recently as the focus is so soft and beautiful. This lens is also incredible for softening areas in general - like shooting in busy / messy locations as you can very easily just focus on one subject and the light.
35mm 1.4 - this lens actually is my go-to for video, it’s also a good all-round interior / portrait / landscape as it keeps your lines relatively straight and is wide enough to get quite a lot of the mood into your images. (If I was to recommend just one lens to begin with / use it would be the 35mm).
50 mm 1.2 - This was one of my first ever lenses. It’s a great lens for a mix of close ups and atmosphere, and like the 100mm also quite good at de-cluttering spaces. Most people will say for portraiture it’s a standard, when I started photography it was basically the only lens I shot on for years, maybe I used it so much that’s why I rarely use it. But I would still attest to it being very helpful in the portrait / lifestyle department!
(Our lenses are mainly with Nikon or canon for our cameras, and we often buy Sigma because they are more affordable, great quality and cater to both of the cameras).
Below is shot on the 24mm (you can see how small Mont st Michel looks in the distance, We were actually closer to it than where the one shot on the right was.
Below is shot on the 100mm and you can see how much closer the village is!
I will keep this short because we will go into even more detail in our Photography and styling tutorial, however I hope this helped you guys and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any more questions!
Elle x
Pinafore No.2
A little bit about the pinaforeS
It’s time for Pinafore No.2!! - Spring (for most of you) & Autumn here in Australia, we thought is the perfect time to release the new design! There are simple tweaks, it’s a little higher in the hem, so this one is a few inches shorter, and of course the fabric colours! The linen is from Lithuania and some of the most beautiful both Mel & I have experienced to wear, so we are really excited for you to also wear it! I described the inspiration behind the pinafore on the store in the description, but it is inspired by the late 1800’s / early 1900’s simple elegance and we were inspired to make something timeless, long lasting, comfortable and wearable both in home comfort and in dressing up / going out!
Melody also hand sews all the pinafores herself here in Australia - and shipping globally on these is FREEE :) - to view them in the store click here.
Elle x
A behind the scenes look at the photography process and the pinafores! - filmed and edited by Chris Della
Honeymoon through the English countryside & ZeroUV
We made this video last November as we travelled through the Cotswolds & Wales (actually it was for our honeymoon:) ZeroUV is a sunglasses brand I have worked with since the beginning of my fashion blogging days, and throughout the video we are wearing all kinds of their glasses. In fact they may be one of the only brands I kept creating with even through the changes in my photography journey, so I am grateful for the friendship we've made over the years and the opportunity to continue creating now with Christian in my life also. There is more I’ve written about this video, the process and the feelings it gives me, I will write it on instagram so I don’t double up on here too :) - Below are some out-take images!
Sentiments texture kit
The Sentiments texture kit is now up on our website. It is compiled of genuine antique textures taken from our own collection. This is my personal favorite so far, as I keep experimenting with each one I discover a new cropped pattern giving the individual textures a completely new feel over an image. We also plan to create Vectorized textures with these as they add beautiful elements to design work, but for now I hope you have fun using these for photography / edits and photo compilations! You can view them in the shop here, it is $20 for 12 high res textures (maybe a surprise or two;) - https://www.1924.us/photography-tools/sentiments-texture-kit
1924 presets
A few images to show the 1924us presets, which are Christian’s go-to Lightroom presets he made to share. A fair few people wanted to see larger examples so below we have some with the preset named under it :) You can view the 1924 presets here or the set (mine and Christian's together here)!
LAND - before
HERITAGE
GRAINS
LAND - After
WESTWARD
ALASKA
Shaanti portraits - Harsh light
From a portrait session with Shaanti from a few weeks ago .
I started photography shooting in any light I had and being from Australia, most of it was that - blue sky, bright, - reflecting off anything it could light. Then for many, many years I avoided photographing in the harsh Australian light, and although it’s never my top lighting choice - I think it has a feel about it that is beautiful in it’s own right. I started an ever forming passion with photography at around 15 (when my sister got her first SLR and I would trade it for my iPod when I could). I’d just photograph anything and everything I could, with absolutely no strategy at all. I’d always wonder HOW do these Flickr photographers get such amazing focus and coloring and light!? Haha I am naturally a VERY slow learner and rarely do research so of course it took me years of doing, to finally understand how things work.
So years later it feels really incredible to return to old ways of photographing in this harsh light and have the understanding I do of how to actually work with it, in ways that inspire me. :) This preset is for harsh light (and honestly I never thought I would release something like this, but I’m glad I am and the reasoning - That we may all be as inspired as we can with what we are given. To create with boundaries,(& maybe we don’t like boundaries), but often what we don’t like pushes us into a place of betterment and that’s life right?
You can get the presets here :) https://www.1924.us/photography-tools/presetharshlight
Elle x
2019
For the last few weeks we have felt as though (and this is quite a normal feeling by now) we are in transition, again. It hasn’t been easy for Christian or I to be in a physically stable place. We’ve always hoped for the best in everything and truly been looked after :) So now, all over again - we do it again! In the next couple of weeks we have to move homes, have decided we may as well start building a home (I’m sure we will share more on it soon), we are also heading to Canada where we will meet with the Hollow Tree team and I’m sure I will fall in love with the place.
Last week I was denied entry to the USA on the only visa I think is suitable (this was sad as it’s Christian’s home country and it just didn’t make sense in reasoning to me). I guess we just have to keep pushing to see a bigger perspective. The hardest part of it all was a week or so ago, we realized, in the middle of the night we were having a miscarriage. It was our first pregnancy and I didn’t realize how rapid the bond would grow or how painful, physically and in my heart the loss of a forming baby would come to be. Now - every day I wake up with an explosion of emotions within me, I carefully try to take down time to sought through each thought feeling and action - for everything - It doesn’t always work out the way I try but I will continue to try. And we always say when it feels as though so much is coming at you negatively - you know the devil is fighting hard because just around the bend God has something incredible. I do believe this, I know we have so much to grow into and be and do and feel and it all takes time, but in the small decisions true character is formed.
I am so excited now for the antiques to arrive here, to re-launch the store, to have a permanent home, to try again! Soon we will have a physical space we can share with others, 2019 will be a good year, i know it.
