Three Parts Whimsy

Laura’s back :) She is a watercolor artist and blogger who is writing two columns each week. Here’s her first photography column (her first painting column was yesterday), and I know she’d appreciate any recommendations of your favorite photographers. Just leave them in the comments and welcome her to Try Handmade!

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Erika

If you are looking for beautiful inspiration, look no further. Charlane Griffith of Three Parts Whimsy will take you to a dreamy place. I was excited when she agreed to an interview about her work.

Do you prefer black and white or color?
This varies so much. I know people that are definitely in one camp or the other but with me, I started out as a strictly BW girl – Inspired by the photographers of the 40’s and 50’s – loving Ansel Adams, Henri Carter-Breeson, Dorothea Lange, Dianne Arbus and such. Who could argue with Adam’s landscapes, Bresson’s motion and the emotionality of Lange or Arbus? Their stuff can stop you in your tracks. But then…color, wow – there are just some amazing artists out there. So, like I said, on any given day I could tell you one or the other. But truthfully – I love them both.

What inspires you?
I’m all across the board with that question – light inspires me. The play of it across the trees, the landscape, someone’s face. Children because they are all out there with their emotions and they see the world in such a mixture of whimsy and then, literally too – what a beautiful combination. Colors – I take a lot photographs of flowers due to the colors. Textures – I’m a tactile person. I love the touch of different textures and I like the juxtaposition of contrasting textures. And then, odd things that are out of their normal environment.

How important is lighting/ composition in your work?
Lighting is everything. I’m constantly intrigued and enraptured by watching the light play on various things throughout my day. The right light can make the ugliest thing beautiful under the right circumstances.

I always play with composition – because I work during the week, and most daylight hours, I love to set up vignettes/still lifes. My room mate teases me about my ‘studio’ corner – he never knows what he’s going to find sitting about there. But…seriously, that window gets the best light.

What kind of camera is your favorite? What do you use?
I’m a Canon girl all the way – it’s funny how the photography world works. Most people tend to pick a brand and are completely loyal to it. It’s rare that photographers change once they’re using an SLR/DLSR due to the lens cost. I’ve seen it…but it’s rare. So, I’m shooting mostly with a Canon 40D – I got it on sale when the 50D was released. I have the old film rebel that I had in high school but never did much with. When I decided to “be serious” about photography, I upgraded to the XTi and then the 50D. I also have an old Kodak Brownie, a 50mm SigmaTech ‘toy camera’ and have just ordered a Fuji Instapix which I’m very excited about.

Please visit Char’s wonderful blog – Ramblins and Etsy shop. Thank you so much Char for sharing your inspiration with us.