Fashion collages are such fun for me. Polyvore was an exceptional platform for this.
I miss it! Changing the context of a photo gives the shot a whole new meaning.
Mixed media presentations are also inherently more interesting, to me at least.
Using a multitude of apps, and not PhotoShop, ( because I still do know how to!) I wanted to express my growing concern with the world around me. Headlines really get to me, even as I am aware that each one is just a subjective rendering of a picture, isolated to a certain and finite time.
However, In Manhattan one becomes hyper-attuned, as the stimulation here in this great city, is often overwhelming. As well, daily life is magnified by the sheer speed of events as they unfold. Large cities often have brisk daily pace. Without the quiet and beauty of Mother Nature, reality is bent in a jarring way.
Above is my three-hour editing of a shot I did with my camera phone, set up to snap when I say smile. This is a feature that I discovered when my camera decided to go rogue. Then I discerned a pattern; my Samsung Galaxy took a snap whenever I said anything that sounded like cheese or smile!
For those you who are professional photographers, and use a tripod, this may seem a laughable and elementary stage. Without a doubt, my fashion collages are rudimentary in technical terms. Still, I hope my message gets through!
So at this point I commend you for your patience. I am showing you the stages of editing for this blog post. Fashion collages are not easy to create outside of Photoshop. So first, I expanded the shot using the “smart” fill option in Snapseed by Google. Clearly, the mirror is copied in a less than perfect way.
Next, I snapped a cover of a New York Times page that was illustrative of my mood.
Cosmic Confusion indeed!
Using Rookie Cam I created a cut out of the newspaper and inserted it into the mirror. I used Enlight to add the plaid slide, with the squared pearl buckle . Quite a nice find from LVIS in East Hampton.
When the words seems uncertain, wear pearl shoes!
By Olivia Rose Tal, these are the perfect easy-on slide. Incorporating these into my fashion collages was great fun, almost like adding a pearly exclamation point!
SAVVY FACT: these were $5.00 second hand!
Now you can see the shoe and the “Times” photo centered in the frame. It is as if I am stepping on the pages, trying to shush them and stamp them out! I. To get to the final edited version, I added an overlay with Enlight of the newspaper and erased and added. Time consuming yes. Calming yes! Who wants to teach me Photoshop?
Grateful to always get good and comforting feedback, from posts where I express these concerns, I still feel anxious. Not overwhelmed, just on guard. However, I am also attuned to the lovely exchanges I have daily and these sustain me!
Yet, there is something profound and unsettling walking past townhouses and condos that are selling for 4 to 40 millions dollars, and seeing so many homeless people on the way.
That many of these homes are not even lived in is galling. The widening discrepancy between the haves and the have nots, is IN YOUR FACE here.
There is NO amount of editing I can do to change that equation. But photo editing is like drawing for me, it is calming. Teaching myself new things is a fun challenge. I took this shot and edited it on my own. Boy do I have a lot to learn!
Creating fashion collages is therapeutic!
I also go to the gym and listen to Audible books on tape! Ahhh..
I will end this unusual post with this happy fact. As you know the shoes were $5.00, but you should also know my fur and metallic leather bag, was only $3.00 from a charity shop! I bought this bag seven years ago before pink was trending, and metallic leather was a fashion must-have. Also, I am not wearing make up here.
How are you coping with headline news and changes that you see around you?
What activities do you employ to get perspective and achieve calm?
I’m probably not the right one to ask about that. I basically stick my head in the sand nowadays. I just feel depressed when I watch or read the news. I know I should care about what’s going on, and I do. To my loved ones around me. But I dislike how there is so much negativity showcased on those channels….
As for your shoes….I’m in love. Seriously, you find the most unique pieces ever. I need to come shopping with you, that’s for sure.
OXOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Everyone is the right one. I respect everyone’s opinion!
I agree about the negativity, but there is some good news out there to. I do better with newspapers than TV!
Yes, shopping together would be paradise!
xo, Elle
Very creatieve Elle! So you! I always have had a soft spot for the homeless. There is so much pain around ,and inside, this group of people. And so many humans don t even have a nice word to say to them. My hart breaks when I see that.
Yes, I am sure you do Nancy!
it is heartbreaking…
thanks for your kind comment!
xo, Elle
What a fun photo collage! 🙂 I’m finding there is a lot of headlines that are just too upsetting so I’m trying to consume less and less media – although some things you can’t avoid! I’m sure my phone has that smile recognition / take a photo when you say cheese function…or maybes it’s my camera. I’m sure I was it in the settings one day! I’ve never turned it on though, I’m not sure even technology could manage to get a photo of both my kids smiling at the camera at the same time, ha! I tend to use… Read more »
Yes, Mica.
I am trying to consume media I trust..
yes getting a shot of you and your kids… that would be daunting!
A camera and tripod is great, but I couldn’t do that outdoors in Manhattan …
Will see you at the link up!
xo, Elle
This was a fun post, Elle! I have no idea how to use PhotoShop either! But it looks like you are having fun exploring other creative ways to create your collages. Those shoes are fabulous! I am much like Jodie and choose to stick my head in the sand most of the time as well. It is all much too depressing and that whole concept of ignorance is bliss is really kind of true! I just keep injecting love and kindness wherever I can in the hopes that it will make a difference!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thank you Shelbee!
I know it is depressing, but I feel conpelled to stay tuned, at least a bit!
Yes to kindness first!
xo, Elle
You did a great job with your photos Elle.
Gemma x
http://www.jjacquardflower.uk
Thanks Gemma!
It was time consuming but fun!
xo, Elle
I love your creativity, Elle! It knows no bounds! The photo editing makes the shot rich and engaging and also adds context. It’s exciting to see the direction you’re going in, more please ❤️😊 We have quite the homeless problem here in Seattle also that’s been exasperated by the sudden influx of well paid tech workers causing a housing crunch. We’re trying to do things to make it better but it’s a hard task. Being kind is the first step indeed.
Beautifully said Cara!
I know about Seattle, too, and it is in many urban places.
Yes, to kindness first.
love, Elle
Oh I love how this came out and saw it on IG. Yes this is way more time consuming not using PS. Though there is also Light Room which is less expensive and may be more approachable. Yup the gap is widening big time. According to Kevin Russo of the NYT who attend the convention in Davos within 15 years %40 of jobs are going to be lost due to automation. I can not even begin to think what kind of unrest that is going to cause. And this will be global. You should watch Michael Moore’s new film it… Read more »
Yes, that will not bode well. I will watch that film, thanks for the reminder!
xo, Elle
Such creativity here, Elle dear. I barely watch news because its full of bad news. While coming home from work few hours ago, I thought I pick a newspaper to read. Well you guessed right, bad news of stabbings and whatnots. Heartbreaking really!
https://www.missymayification.co.uk
Thanks Missy May!
I feel you, but there are some good things happening too, I also look to that for balance !
xo, Elle
How creative you are, Elle. I don’t even know any of the app things you have been using. You did a fantastic job assembling that collage, and I love how you are taking us through its various steps. I have to admit that I can lose myself in the creative process of making photo collages for my blog. It’s a good way to relax if things start to get overwhelming. I’m trying to avoid reading the papers and listening to news reports some of the time, as it’s making me really anxious. xxx
Thanks,
Yes I have a lot of creative energy!
I can imagine how much you love to make your collages, they are so well done.
I try to balance out the news, and find some good news too– there is some!
xo, Elle
I really try to avoid too many news headlines. It is simply too depressing. I read just enough to keep me informed and no more. It’s not good for my health.
I’m getting a bit stale in my photoshop skills lately. I used to work in it daily when I was an illustrator. It isn’t super user friendly and takes a while to learn. Your collage still turned out great.
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
Thanks Suzanne,
I think it would be fun to learn, but ti is time consuming to learn Photoshop!
I agree, it is hard to strike the balance between well informed and
OMG overwhelmed!
xo, Elle
Such a fun and creative way to express your thoughts and feelings about these serious things. I never thought this to be a way to deal with it, but I can see what you mean that it’s therapeutic.
http://www.sundaydahlias.com
Thanks,
anything I do with my hands is soothing !
even laundry!
xo, Elle
Nice work! It’s fun to create.
Thanks Ally!
it is and it is good to take my mind off things !
Happy week ahead!
xo, Elle
I love your fun and furry bag, and those lovely shoes! What scores they were. You look so beautiful without make-up; I just look tired.
Whatever works to calm the mind and let you be creative, I say go for it! You did a fabulous job of editing!
Sending you a calm wind from the West coast!
Thanks, they were scores indeed~
Yes, editing and singing helps!
Thanks sincerely for the calm wind!
xo, Elle
awesome post! thanks for sharing with us!
kelseybang.com
4allthingsdisney.com
Thanks Kelsey!
I appreciate that so much!
xo, Elle
It can be so hard to create these type of collages but it’s super fun! Love the way it came out!
http://www.fashionradi.com
Yes RadI,
quite fun and therapeutic for me! lol!
xoxo, Elle
The world is changing not for the good, so much greed, crime, abuse on animals and children is increasing. I pray for the best but do shed so much tears.
Yes my friend, I am afraid it is as well. Is tragic about the animals and the increasing greed that I see all around us ,
and not just in this country. Yes, let’s hope for the very best.
xoxo.. Elle
Great style! Xx
– http://www.youthofthesun.com
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. Have a great day!
xoxo, Elle
Such an interesting read. I don’t even watch/listen to the news anymore. I just have it set up on my iPad so I can get articles tailored to my interest, otherwise it’s just a bottomless rabbit hole full of depressing stories. It’s good to know what’s current but I think too many people get too into the news and when you think about it, it doesn’t really help in any way. Love the collage!
SHANNON VALLE life + style blog
Thanks Shannon!
Yes I agree it can be quite the rabbits hole.
I appreciate your comment!
xoxo, Elle
Growing up as an inner city kid, then having gone to school and worked in Manhattan, I nodded firmly to everything you’ve said here. As New Yorkers, we are a bit on edge and more inclined to be consumed by he latest news reports because we find ourselves being affected somehow. Whether it be a friend, co-worker or friend of a friend, there’s a connection to the current events that sparks our interest and emotions and it’s often quite heavy. I would never forget the time Eddie and I went to go see a Knicks game. We parked in one… Read more »
Jalisa,
Thank you for sharing that story. Yes that must’ve been very distressing to see. And I’m glad we are of the same mind, when it comes to what we perceive as the shifting social landscape. It is difficult to remain optimistic but what choice do we have.
xoxo, Elle
your fashion is very beautiful and your fashion collage.My hart breaks when I see that.
Thanks Mark
xo, Elle