Silk in Photography

The lustrous,vibrant colours,the variation in texture and intensity of colour provided by its folds makes silk a difficult fabric to photograph.

In even the strongest of sunlight or studio lights the human eye is able to even out the

Varying levels of saturation to give an even presentation.

The camera however no matter how technically sophisticated remains challenged to do so.

That human touch is still required.

When photgraphing the range of silk dresses,bodices and pants that form the Nang Fah Collection we knew we would need a professional photographer.

A photographer who was skilled not only in photography yet prepared to work under varying conditions from studio to location.

Someone who had the qualities of patience and perseverance.

As the Nang Fah Collection is mix and match and versatile enough to be worn anywhere,anyplace,anytime we needed a photographer who understood this

And was prepared to do the same.

My early attempts in photographing the range were ok but not to a standard that would do justice to what the silk garmnets were really offering.

A pressing need is not always satisfied

As a firm believer  that my needs are satisfied when the universe provides not when  demanded the decision to wait although frustrating was the only choice and as always the best.

And as fate would have it that was the case.

John Turton of Celebrity Obsession www.celebrityobsession.com.au was present at a Wedding Expo we attended some years back.

Two images could be seen from the portfolio open on his stand and one image,one on the right

Immediately caught my eye.

The image prompted conversation and so it was that John became part of our team.

Silk is a natural product.

It has its own ying and yang.

It is as soft as a woman should be yet as strong as man can be.

Silk is its own Sun and Moon.

In the light of life its deep folds are the shade of the tree,the moons hidden light.

Its contrasting lustrous colour the brilliance of the blazing sun.

Silk is both cool and warm.

In photographic terms it needs two forms of light.

One passing behind another passing in front.

One direct the other indirect.

As in all good photography technical issues like camera focal length aperture etc,the models pose  all need experimentation to capture that one special moment in time.

Yet silk ,in its “livability” is a special moment in time all the time.

Only the person wearing the silk garment can fully understand that.

We at www.nangfah.com.au  love our photo shoots but know its only half the fun in wearing them.

Its bloomin hot downunder

January the middle of the Ozzie summer.

Its normally hot this time of year,just hot not bloomin hot.

No need to enter into “climate change issues” here things are changing for sure

And one of those is the climate.

No matter which way you look at,

However the one thing that isn’t changing is the desire of most to get to the beach.

The coast.

All the way along the 57000 kilometres of Australias sun bleached coastline Polyester

Clad pilgrims are making their way there.

The coast,its waterways,rivers and its beaches.To swim,to bathe in its glorious oceans and seas and lazily lounge,dryfry on its golden and white sands.

Sand so hot it burns the soles of your feet,so invasive it forms abrasive irritating clusters in the folds of swimming costumes,typically the crotch and by means known only to the unknown lays waiting in bed for you at night.

A little cluster on cool cotton sheets at the feet or an array on the pillow slip is discovered just as sleep beckons.

Today was so hot even lizards would have considered an umbrella a folly

A fully shaded rock crevice a better option.

What is it about the beach that calls us under such conditions.

Is it just to get to relief from the heat?

If so its only what could be called momentary

Or is about sharing?

You know that mateship thing.

Jeez its hot lets go to the beach seems to take preference to Jeez its hot lets sit in an air conditioned room.

A tempting thought in Bangkok or Hong Kong maybe.

The middle of the Sahara.

But Australia.?

Who is kidding who.?

So maybe Its a combination of both,getting cool and sharing and maybe its tradition.

That cheeky Ozzie tradition,

Larrikinism.

You know where Bluey is the name for someone with a head of orange hair.

Where board riders wear black rubber suits and know that sharks love eating seals.

Well some sharks do.

Where bikini clad women think they are actually wearing something.

That’s my Mothers influence and why I refuse to take her to the beach.

And why sunglasses are so important for a man.

Where young children squeel and giggle at white froth on wet sands and grandmothers and mothers gather under umbrellas shouting through an atmosphere

Of light wind and billowing heat

“Don’t go to close to the water!!!!”

We learn early.

So Mum what did you bring us here for?

And suddenly the larrikinism ends as we head home.

Sand secreted in places that surprise us when we arrive there.

Home that is

Home where dinner,the BBQ really is quite a serious affair tempered only by the memories of the hours at the beach,on the coast.

Its hard to leave the beach behind.

Thoughts aside,,cotton or synthetic our clothes tell us repeatedly that we have left something behind.

Neither cool nor free.

Air con or just an open window the longing for cool freedom lingers.

Watching TV,talking at the dining table or finally in bed if you are looking for a return

To that cool feeling

Try silk.

Try silk pants and twist tops from the Nang Fah Collection.