CHEAP CAMERA/10 SECOND TIMER SELF-PORTRAITURE

Thursday, August 30, 2012

The LBD Report


Ah yes...the "little black dress''...a staple wardrobe element that most every woman has hanging in her closet. For its universal appeal as the perfect answer to that age-old question, "What on earth shall I wear?!", it has become the quintessential go-to garment. Timeless and versatile - the LBD can be dressed up or down in order to suit most any formal or semi-formal occasion. I myself have several little black dresses, of which I am especially fond. Although I couldn't even tell you the last time that I wore one of them, as I haven't attended a social function in ages. 


This past weekend, while doing the thrift store circuit with my three girls - I came across the black, silk, Alberta Ferretti dress (that I'm cutting and ripping to shreds in these pics.), and happily paid the puny six bucks that Goodwill had it marked for sale. It's not maybe as simple as a more typical little black dress - nevertheless, for the sake of this post, it's gonna havta do.


The dress stood out among its far less interesting counterparts - not so much because it was something that I would actually wear out in public, but more because it was of a higher quality than the garments that I usually find at Goodwill. I decided that even though I hadn't a clue why or where I would ever don the derned thing, it was so inexpensive, and such a nice dress - I simply couldn't leave it on the rack there, for someone else to buy.


Earlier in the weekend, while driving my daughter to a friend's house for a party - I spotted a teensy, abandoned cabin peeking out from behind a thick grove of immature trees, on property that we passed along the way…and the instant I saw it, I knew without question that I should stage my next photo shoot there. And so yesterday, when I finally found the time to go out and take the pics., I stuffed my recently acquired, little black dress into my camera bag, along a couple of other dresses and the rest of my gear.


I arrived at the cabin, did the naked shots behind the window first, then zipped myself into the little black dress while mulling over what to do next...and as I dug through my camera bag looking for a lipstick or something, I came across the scissors that I carry along on each outing - and only then did I come up with the idea to cut myself out of the $6 thrift store gem. I was admittedly somewhat hesitant to completely destroy my precious, pretty, new frock - but ultimately I reasoned, "Where the hell am I ever gonna wear it for real?"


As I drove away from the two hour shoot, reviewing the new pics. on my camera (being careful not to wreck my car, of course) - something kinda yucky occurred to me. In every single photo there was an overabundance of familiar elements...it was like I'd attempted to do nothing brand new whatsoever...it felt weird...

I had thought that the shoot had gone pretty well, and that I'd done a fairly good job...but in clicking through the images I was aghast to see the same worn out old poses that I always seem to do anymore...the overplayed tilt of my head that I rely on in order to avoid taking pictures of my face straight on...my bare feet standing on omnipresent tippy toes...the use of windows and doors - as a source of natural light and for framing my body...I've even taken self-portraits while cutting different clothing with those very same scissors before...and all of this in yet another abandoned house...*sigh*

Before I fell into utter despair however, a comforting thought crossed my mind...in unintentionally (and I do mean that) falling back on a combination of my most commonly used tricks for this shoot, had I not in essence absentmindedly stuck with the most acceptable, safe alternative? Almost like when you eliminate the hassle of trying to decide on what to wear to an event, by settling on a basic LBD.

I think approaching a shoot this way is ok, every once in awhile - but I'd prefer it if I could begin to limit myself to doing so with roughly the same amount of frequency that I find myself goin' out in a little black dress...

8 comments:

  1. Maybe go for a different choice of locale but PLEASE keep delighting me with with your hot,well toned,naked body! (luv ur barefeet poses...so sexy)

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    1. @Rusty Glass - Welp...I went for a different choice of locale, like you suggested (see new post, "Fasten Your Seat Belts")...I wish I could say that it turned out to be a better experience than it did. It's cool though, it made me realize that I've been taking the easy way out too often, and that it's good for me to do shoots that make me uncomfortable...

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  2. Defintely keep posting your naked pics! Try some bondage & abduction pics...that would be sooooo hot! *giggity!*

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    1. @Anonymous - I HAVE done a couple of vanilla-ish bondage shoots before, (see posts, "B(eginning) & E(nd)" and "I'm Warped" - this one also explores an abduction theme)...trouble is - it's kind of difficult to set the timer on the camera, and get into pose, when your limbs are all tied up...

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  3. I absolutley adore the shot of you looking out the door, with your back to the camera ! The greens of the trees contrast the dark and shadows while your lovely bottom is posed so natural. The tiny light peeking thru your thighs is 'killer'. Very sensual.Never tire of looking at the front or back of you!Also the last shot lookig out the window is wonderful too. Very impressed. Patrick

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    1. @Anonymous - Thank You, Patrick...I guess when I first looked at both of the pics. that you mentioned, it felt like total deja vu. It was as if I'd already taken the exact same pictures some other time (and very recently, to boot). I need things like this to force me to do more than the just the same old-same old...

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  4. Great pics as always sweetie. I create wonderful art work from old window sashes and see some nice ones in several pics. If you thought you could share a location or two, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks Scott
    email: sawflyinglow@yahoo.com

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    1. @Scott - Oh my, YES! I know of many, MANY locations that I'm sure you would just LOVE!!! I don't know if you've ever checked out my other blog: www.littleprettypix.com - but the pictures that I post there do a better job of cataloging the cool places, and the old things that I come across in my travels.

      Thanks for introducing yourself!

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