Do you ever hear a song and really like it, but you like it because not many other people have heard it and it’s a bit new and different? But then that song gets really popular and you hear it everywhere you go, and then suddenly you don’t like that song anymore? Well I’m getting a bit like that with VSCO software. If you go into any VSCO group on Facebook or Flickr, every shot looks the same. I don’t want my images to look the same, so this week I’ve made a conscious decision – if I want anything to look like it was shot on film, I’ll shoot it on film.
All the images here were made this week using a Nikon D800E and 35mm lens, edited in Capture One software. All the film I shot is still at the processors…
Bloody ‘eck – that’s good!
LikeLike
Three excellent shots but the first and last have the impact especially the first shot where the red and water catch you
LikeLike
Wow, I love the first 🙂
LikeLike
Stark beauty of realism…Thanks for sharing your talent and passion.
LikeLike
And thank you 🙂
LikeLike
I agree – but it’s mainly the overused ‘fade’ look that stick out with VSCO users. Some of the standard early presets (superia/portra/tri-x etc.) I still use, but they just function as quick-fix contrast/tonal improvements, especially if you dial down the grain and any split toning. Like any other tool in the box, some people know how to use them subtly, and some don’t (I’m looking at you, over-Clarifiers). But yes, we’ll look back on all these crisp full frame digital shots with hugely faded blacks and whites in years to come and know instantly that they are from the Age of VSCO.
Love your portrait work and honest writings btw – a regular inspiration (even though I don’t shoot actually shoot planned portrait work myself, some of your musings are universal)
LikeLike
I shoot both film and digital and I love the look of both. I shoot each differently and that provides an excitement I look forward to. You have a style that can go with both and yet brings out different nuances according to what you shoot with. Thanks for the mentoring.
LikeLike
Oh, really? Maybe this is only because all these guys are just trying to copy each other rather than finding their own style and/or voice. I started to use the VSCO software a couple of months ago and my pictures never looked like yours and also not like anything I shot on film. I’m still experimenting a lot with photography (it’s been only a couple of years for me) and enjoy exploring different options and styles, for that VSCO is a nice option to have. However, you already have a very good idea about what you want and how to get there so everything will be fine, with or without VSCO. The first image here, showing Ciara in the red swim suit, is definitely one of my favourites form you, it’s absolutely wonderful.
LikeLike
Beautiful images, Phil. I’m not sure what VSCO is, but definitely recognise when things are overplayed! 🙂
LikeLike
Agree 100%. Sometimes it feels like people see the process as the end point, not if the actual image is worth processing! The red one, red then more red, a difficult colour captured beautifully.
LikeLike
Great shots, especially the colour in the first (with the grey background).
LikeLike
Some great portraits in this gallery (and in your site as a whole!)
LikeLike