Caring about the detail makes all the difference. It doesn't matter whether it is something so simple that we can do it with our eyes shut or whether the task is a complex and challenging one...attention to detail is everything. It shows that you have taken time, that you care and that you are serious....Paying attention to the detail illuminates a generosity of spirit...it is a way to be noticed and a way to show that you are a keen observer....
I am fond of a detail and I spend a great deal of time fussing with details. I have recently embarked on a new project with photographer Carla Coulson where together we create and style images for an online photo library. These shots are exclusive to this agency and are available for magazine editors, journalists, publishers and any other interested parties to purchase for commercial publication or personal use. The fun part is that we work together most months, we create photographs that we love from scratch and even better we set all the shoots up at home. There is something magical about the light in Provence and especially in our farmhouse which is set against a backdrop of olive groves just outside the small village of Saint Rémy de Provence in Southern France. This light manages to turn even the mundane into the exquisite...and that is the most important detail when taking photographs...the light...if the light's not working then an image must perform overtime to evoke a reaction.So as this 'by invitation' topic is 'in the detail', I thought I would show you a preview of some of our work and talk about the detail ....
The shots were taken in our kitchen and the idea was to tell a story..For the eye to register that a Provencal kitchen is the heart of this home, that this kitchen is not only for cooking but for eating and socialising...this is a place to talk farming and to talk family. The small details...the polished wooden table top, the peak of terracotta tiles, the hand picked lime-blossom in the glass canisters, the painted ladder back chairs with traditional woven straw seats, the light switches, the cabinetry, the parchment light shades...all tell a Provencal tale...
The focus or 'detail' here is the garlic cloves...The exterior light from the adjacent window illuminates the composition and I think makes this humble vegetable look rather beautiful...
Provencal life is earthy and the bunches of garlic are practical table decorations... but the 'detail' has moved and now our focus is on the reflection of the garlic and the china....Again the light makes something so simple become quite luminescent....
A change of focus and the suggestion is about eating and cooking with the soft detail of La Cornue in the background...The woven place-mats almost blend with the china and the violet nose of the garlic seems to barely brush the taupe linen napkin...
As Carla is thinking light stops, aperture, position of tripod and all those other important photographic gremlins that make these pictures happen...I am thinking, detail...detail....detail....Have I framed the shot to tell the story that I want?...Are my chairs in the right position?...Are the garlic bunches standing tall and centred?...Is the balance working? Are the napkins folded and crease free? Am I happy with the colour palette? And so it goes on and on until it's absolutely how we want.....And whether the shots are a success or not.... is all in the detail....xv
my daily click HERE
images via living4media by carla coulson styled by vicki archer
For more wonderful 'detailed' interpretations from other inspired bloggers...
MARSHA HARRIS
TISH JETT
YVONNE PRATT
CHARLOTTA WARD
GREET LEFEVRE
CATHERINE ROBINSON
ANNIE BOUTERSE
COTY FARQUHAR
DEBORAH PETERSON
DUSTJACKET ATTIC
SHARI MILLER
TINA
MONA THOMPSON
FIFI FLOWERS
JACQUELINE MUMFORD
KARIN JANSKY
CECILIA GONZALEZ
RENEE GRANIER & ANGELA FOSTER
JANELL
LISA
CHRISTINA FLUEGGE
Beautiful subdued colors. I love what you did with the garlic to make the purple skin stand out. It's lovely!
ReplyDeleteI love the garlic images! Particularly the first one, like a sculpture! And I do know, Vicky, what you mean about the right light, not too much bright sun, I prefer Northern light. And the right setting, and is the object straight??..?? Are there any shadows, is Oskar the cat walking through the set..and...and... A real struggle sometimes and never really perfect for me; oh yes, I know that it can be quite a piece of work but at the same time also enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteVery charming post indeed. Actually we have the same life style here in the Périgord. And a large kitchen with an old large Périgordian farm table which is the heart of the house.
You gave a good theme for this special October post, thank you Vicky for your thought!
Greetings,
karin
Wonderful detailed images Viki...sounds a fabulous project you're working on...I love the Provencal kitchen, I can see my family sitting around that table chatting, eating and drinking to the small hours...perfection!
ReplyDeletexx
Thank you very much Vicky for your comment. I left one to your post about 20 minutes ago but it seems to be disappeared. Blogger error?
ReplyDeletek
The one and only Vicki Archer. Exquisiteness X10.
ReplyDeleteMy son is a commercial photographer, was schooled in Paris at Parson's School of Design for 3 years, and so I understand the lighting...& the detail. The lens captures everything, so every little detail must be perfect. I love the uncreased napkins, and the color of the garlic the most. I feel so fortunate to know you, my friend...
Just wonderful...I like the way you have set it all up...you both must have so much fun being so creative together. lucky girls.
ReplyDeletexoxo DJ
the light in the South of France is perfection!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful opp.
Bravo
What a fantastic and inspiring project! I love your use of the garlic - so unexpected and organic and beautiful.
ReplyDeletexo Allison
Spicer + Bank
www.spicerandbank.blogspot.com
serene & beautiful
ReplyDeleteFabulous!!! words and pictures a great work.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations
Hugs
Cecilia
The shots are truly beautiful xx
ReplyDeleteSublime
ReplyDeletemagnifique
superbe
splendide
somptueux
fastueux
Thank you
Francesca
Beautiful details of your kitchen Vicki and it is the smallest of details that finish the overall picture. I wouldn't mind betting that that table has been the centre of some wonderful gatherings and delicious food.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done for the 'By Invitation Only' series. XXXX
Beautiful pictures Vicki, I love the colours you used in your kitchen and the purple garlic compliments them so well. All the best to you and Carla in your new venture, we know it will be a huge success!
ReplyDeleteSharon
xox
Your eye for fabulous detail in both word and images keeps us all transformed. You are most definitely a master of the details. Beautiful post. Have a lovely day. Mona
ReplyDeleteWow this is fabulous and promises to be something really spectacular! The table setting is gorgeous (lusting after that china, love the color and scalloped shape) Well done and could not agree with you more about the details being paramount to everything else, when you take the time...it shows.
ReplyDeleteSimply lovely pictures Vicki I love the purple garlic.The feature of glass with garlic is stunning and the reflection of the garlic on the china is amazing.It must be heaven for you and Carla working together.As always such a joy to read your posts.Have a lovely day.
ReplyDeleteMy trés, trés chere Vicki,
ReplyDeleteOf course I knew you would do something beyond beautiful. You have the most exquisite taste.
Such fun collaborating with you.
xox,
Tish
Beautiful!! You and Carla are a fabulous tried and true team. Attention to detail is the name of the game in my book - can't wait to hopefully see more!!
ReplyDeleteYou're so clever Vicki!!
ReplyDeleteIf we couldn't see Carla's wonderful photographs your words would be enough, they so cleverly describe the details of the table, the light, the setting and all.
We also have the most wonderful light right now with Spring in Oz. Is it similar?
Thanks for dropping over tonight and your lovely comment.
xxxx Coty
Stunning art Vicki. I have a watercolor I painted of a bunch of garlic as I was so intrigued with the violet hues!
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Thank you Vicki--you are inspiring me to stretch my wings. They are beautiful images --and yes, life is in the details. blessings. Mary
ReplyDeleteStunning, Vicki! What a wonderful and fun project to work on with Carla...showcasing both your ample talents. I especially love setting the table, it is so rewarding to make a place lovely for gathering loved ones. xo Lidy
ReplyDeleteBeautiful; and very difficult to do as the light keeps changing, too.
ReplyDeleteDear Vicki,
ReplyDeleteThe photos taken by Carla are gorgeous!! And your kitchen is oh so charming!!
Thank you so much for the mentionning in this list!! I appreciate this a lot!
Have a wonderful afternoon!
xx
Greet
Soory for the anonymous posting! Something was wrong with google I might think!
I agree! It's all about the light and you and Carla have captured it so well. I think you two make such a terrific team. I wish I could be there to watch your creative juices flowing! I hope to see Carla again in Jan. Wouldn't it be divine if you just happened to be in Paris as well.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck on this new venture. It's bound to be a success.
V
Dear Vicki,
ReplyDeleteNothing but simple beautiful elegance from you~~ I love love love the garlic boquets!!
xxx's
You and Carla have made this humble garlic a thing of beauty............such fun for the both of you and a further collaboration that only means visual treats for all of us. Much love XO
ReplyDeleteMagnificent! I like that you remind me of this little thing....detail shows that one cares...I tend to forgo it frequently but now I am back to the table. Thank you Vicki! xx
ReplyDeleteThe images are amazing!+ I use my stylist background, of attention to detail,in my design clients homes each day. Bravo Carla & Vicki xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrific idea and fantastic collaboration. I love the story you're telling and the details you captured. It -- like so much that you do -- brings Provence to life for me. Thanks for the little bit of beauty in my day!
ReplyDeleteGarlic! Would never have thought of that! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis is an absolutely wonderful project and one that I know will be a success due to your unique point of view not to mention an extremely fruitful collaboration with a very talented photographer.
ReplyDeleteI actually spoke with someone last year looking to create an all Provençal image bank and I expressed the importance of moving beyond the cliché to the very present and very stylish (not just in terms of design) contemporary Provence. This is exactly what you are doing! Bon continuation...
Wonderful photos . love the detailed photo of garlic
ReplyDeleteThe soft blush of purple from the garlic works so beautifully with the deep dark polished timber!
ReplyDeleteDelightful!
Glorious, and one of my favorite spaces in your exquisite home.
ReplyDeleteCarla has a magnificent eye.
Warm regards, Alcira
nerochronicles.com
Whoever thought garlic could be rustic and elegant all at the same time? Stunning!
ReplyDeleteOh the painting on the wall in that photo !
ReplyDeleteYour garlic is much prettier than South American garlic :)
besitos ! C
Soooooo Prettyy!!!!!!!! What you do with the simplist things!!!!!! What a great collaboration! Besides isn't that funny that purple in the garlic is the hottest color now?????Maryanne xo
ReplyDeleteSo perfect, the two of you collaborating on another project. I look forward to seeing more sneak peeks.
ReplyDelete~ Clare x
Such attention to detail! The photos are amazing!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Patti
vicki ~
ReplyDeleteyou've inspired my thanksgiving table setting! i love garlic and have always found it to be so beautiful and full of earthy goodness. gorgeous images, but then again, i'm not surprised since they came from the dynamic duo!
bisous,
melissa
Un cadre somptueux... Une invitation constante à la lumière qui oeuvre pour la mise en scène...
ReplyDeleteSaint Rémy de Provence et l'ensemble de sa région est un village et un lieu surtout magique...
Le seul bémol, le vent... Cependant sans lui il n'y aurait pas cette sublime lumière...
Vos clichés sont remarquables.
Gros bisous
The fuschia garlic against the latte coloured plates. Magic!
ReplyDeleteThe garlic looks so wonderful with the stalks kept and tied like that, that it makes me wonder why they are mostly chopped off. I guess they would be troublesome to pack in boxes, and would be part of the weight when sold, but wow they look so lovely like that!
ReplyDeleteMOTH here Vicki, just love your pics you clever chookie. If I'd suggested to Millie she put a few sprouting garlic bulbs on a plate thingo in the middle of the kitchen table, she would have hit me over the head with a wet tea towel. But at your hands, well mate, it's positively amazing! Um, just wondering when my email to join your 'Invitation Only' group was sent, mine seems to have got lost in cyberspace, could you resend it so I can get straight into preparing my guest post...ta.
ReplyDeleteMOTH
The light and colours are gorgeous. And the styling is beautifully edited. Nothing to excess. You and Carla know how to create magic, Vicki.
ReplyDeleteI am in need of garlic! Beautiful natural details found in nature are always so inspirational. Well and to details found in France, ah yes!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful table. Beautiful details. Thanks for sharing!
pve
Beautiful and helpful ideas, Vicki!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
Teresa
xoxo
Wonderful post and a great project the one you're working on. The light really is the most important element in a photograph. And as I like natural photos, with no photoshop editing, the light becomes the key detail. Beautiful kitchen and pictures.
ReplyDeleteAda
So beautiful! I love your styling and Carla's light capture. You're a perfect team.
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki - looks like your project with Carla will be another hit. You two have a great thing going there, you both have the Midas touch! Well, also it helps that you live in one of the best places in the world (sigh)!
ReplyDelete-Marie
Stunning. You and Carla have a magical touch.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness I want your 'job'. Such beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteDETAIL indeed!!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post. Love the shot of the garlic on those pretty dishes. thanks so much for sharing, xo marlis
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference. This is so special. Garlic normally only in food - here a statement. Love it!
ReplyDelete