July 22, 2010

Bedside Manners

As you've probably noticed, a lot of my time and talk revolves around Rue these days. It's all consuming and the long list of things to do before our September launch is never ending. Last night I took to studying bedroom shots in preparation for a photo shoot I'm styling tomorrow where the bedroom is of particular important. And I'd actually love to get your feedback on something that will help me decide on my styling direction:

Do you prefer seeing up close and personal shots where more bedside table and bedding detail are seen?
Or shots that are slightly pulled back to give you a more complete view of the space and floor?

Your input is much appreciated!! :)

*images via Lonny

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

Normally I'd love to see the entire bedroom: bed, both side tables+what's on them and the rug, but there is something catchy to see a part of everything, just like in the above pictures, it's very stylish and feels more professional to me :)

Will @ Bright.Bazaar said...

I like both, but I do enjoy the up close and personal ones so that you can see the detail on the smaller objects on the bedside tables...they usually tell a story about the space in themselves. That said, I'm greedy when it comes to home tours and like to see it all! tee hee. Hope work on Rue is coming along well for you, Crystal!

Fargerike Dagny said...

Both! LOVE the first picture - amazing color combo!

I'm super excited about Rue - I just know this is going to be fabulous!!

xx
dagny

ps - good luck with the styling :)

Ijeoma said...

In my humble opinion, it depends on what you want to show. Personally, I think up close is slightly more intimate, than the pulled back image. So to wrap it up in a nutshell, what kind of impression do you want to create on the viewer?

Natasha @ Northern Light Design said...

Well, both actually! Don't really care for just an up close shot of a vignette on a bedside table, that's been done so many times, but the room gives you the feeling, and the close-up show the personal touch!
Good luck, have fun, and do something unexpected!

Northern Light

Brigitte said...

I'm not certain this is very helpful, but I like both. Generally speaking, I like a good mix of close up detail shots and wide room views, but that's balanced throughout a magazine, not just one feature.

Can't wait to see the launch issue!!

Susan Terese said...

I like a mix of the two!

Jo said...

I like the pulled back version. It gives the viewer more of a "feel" for the whole look.

Anonymous said...

I love the close up shots, better for eyeing cute bedside vignettes!

Emily | Recently said...

That's a tough one! Right now, I would probably say the close up shot, since I'm shopping for bedside tables and love getting ideas. For the long run though, I think I prefer the entire shot. That way I can get a feel for the entire space, and pick out the individual elements that I love. Good luck!

rikshaw design said...

love love seeing all teh little special trinkets on someone's 'styled' bedside table..

Christine said...

I like both. I love seeing a large photo containing the overview of a room, and then one-two close up views. Although, depending on the room, sometimes it works in reverse, where one larger photo of a close up is best, with a smaller photo containing the overview of the room.

The Elegant Thrifter said...

Go with the details. Unless it's a huge bedroom, then most of the time you can't get a decent shot showing the bed and everything else with itanyway. Also, when you do, well, it's a big hunk of bed! I like to show pieces of the bedding and the personality on the side table. I hate it when I see a curious table set with interesting objects, but then I can't make any or them out! Looking forward to see your results, Stan

Megkathleen said...

I really prefer a mix. I like to see people's layouts and the overall look/vibe of the room, but I also love seeing the objects they keep on their bedside tables and other interesting details that you might not see in a pulled back view.

Heidi Lyn said...

I like the second two. There is enough detail to satisfy, but you can still see the context clearly.
What a fun project for you!

audrey marie said...

i think it depends on what you want to highlight. those last two pictures are gorgeous, mostly because of the detailed floor, window, etc.

while it would be a shame to lose the detail on the headboard in that first picture.

i say find the most interesting/important feature and make sure that is front and center :)

Daniella@ThisCouldBeMeToday said...

I generally prefer to see the whole room. Unless the up-close shot has something really really unique and unusual, I get bored quickly with only seeing a nightstand/pillow/lamp. I want to see how the bed fits in the room, with the paint color and floor and lighting. But of the pictures you showed, I love the first two better because the styling is better. Tough choice! Good luck!

Anonymous said...

To be honest, I like both. Sometimes the overall room isn't so fab and that's when a close up would be preferred. Other times a room is so good, you need to take a full shot. Hope I helped.

Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid Sass said...

If there is an option of two I would go with the entire room and then a close up, but with one I would prefer being a small distance away.
Teresa (Splendid Sass)

LYNDA QUINTERO-DAVIDS said...

I prefer the detailed close & intimate shots... too much room sometimes shows as too much bed or too cluttered... Good luck but more importantly - HAVE FUN!!

:D Lynda

Unknown said...

I probably preffer mostly pulled back shots, so I can really get a good view of the space, but I think it's nice to throw in 1 or 2 closer, more detailed shots.

Best of luck!

Rachel said...

I prefer the slightly pulled back look. I think it's a little hard to say considering the examples are all of different rooms, but the pulled back samples you chose had great floors and I think that gave me a better sense of the space and design influence. However, I think the key word here is "slightly". I like seeing the nightstand details but I also like seeing some of the floor and surrounding area.

Helena - A Diary of Lovely said...

ok have you heard both before?
both of course but I especially pay attention to the little vignettes, love it!

Emily A. Clark said...

I like to see how the nighstand fits in the context of the room. I would rather know whether or not the space is designed well overall.

So excited for Rue :)

Mary Ann said...

love the look you have above. a little shot of the bed and bedside...but would love the whole bedspace as well

Annette Piper said...

Can you do a combination - eg one overall pic and then detail shots after that?

Marcus Design said...

I think that I also like the pulled back look, to be able to get a feel for what is going on in the whole space. But details are always pretty and fun too :) The orange and turquoise in the first pic are perfect, I just posted about this color combo yesterday (wish I saw that pic!).
Nancy

melissa Clary said...

I really like the intimate feel of an up close shot. I tend to respond to the feel or personality of the room, especially in one's personal bedroom, and up close shots seem to capture that every time. Thanks for asking and good like with this venture. So glad to see a fellow Chicago gal taking this on. You have a cheerleader in me!

Unknown said...

I like a combination of zoomed out shots of the entire space and close-ups like the first pair to see all the lovely little vignettes. The second option doesn't do much for me besides make me squint to see the details that are so visible in the first.

Heather Feemster said...

It's a tough call girl because my two favorites are shot #1 and shot #4...maybe mix it up. Good luck, can't wait!!

Mona Thompson said...

Both is my preference, but if I can only have one, I will take the pulled back version and squint for the details!

Sally@DivineDistractions said...

What's your focal point? What part of the room do you want to emphasize. Details are always important, but sometimes there's nothing exciting in a close up and the landscape of the room shows the balance and styling best. Both stylings are important, but you need to determine what's important to the story.

Yahnay said...

I love the up close intimate shots. They are always so eye catching. But if I could choose I would have one close up to see the small details and then one further away that shows more of the room.I like to be able to see an image and then re-create it if you want to.Or at least use it for inspiration. So sometimes it is helpful to see a larger/wider image. But I suppose it depends on what you are trying to feature. A while ago The Skirted Round table spoke to architectural photographer Michael J. Lee and he spoke about taking photos that leave the audience/viewer wanting more. I suppose there is something about perfectly styled vignettes that catch your eye more so than something further away. If you are interested you can check out the website and podcast here. http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2010/02/architectural-photographer-michael-j.html

west by south said...

Both please! Looking forward to RUE!

diane@onlinefabricstore said...

Since the devil is in the details I prefer the close up shots. This allows me to see the nailhead trim, fabric detail, drawer pulls etc. But a nice pulled back shot also gives a good perspective of how it all works together. Glad the decision is yours and not mine! Looking forward to Rue's debut.

LiveLikeYou said...

I always like to see the bedroom as a whole with a bunch of interesting closeups like the first image! Best of luck with your first magazine issue - can't wait to see it!

FashionMaven said...

I always feel cheated when I see only detail shots and I never get to see how all the details are pulled together. It'd be like a newspaper only giving you half of the story. With a paper magazine, I can understand being a little stingy with pictures - but in an online format, I almost feel it is inexcusable not to show shots pulled back more in conjunction with showing detail. And honestly, imo, detailed shots should be of truly interesting things or things you just know your readers will be desperate to know more about. Things they only got an overview of in the whole room shot.

I'm still irritated at Renovation Style for a spread they did on this girl's apartment where they showed amazing shots of the kitchen, office, dining and bedroom areas, but mostly pulled in shots for the living room so you never got an idea for how that room looked altogether.

Mango Gal said...

I like both, it depends on the space. Sometimes the floor is just not that visually interesting. However, if it's a great wood floor (love those) or an amazing rug, then yes, I would love to see how everything was brought together.

Anonymous said...

Personally, I love seeing the small details of linens and bedside objects. The grand view is nice but I feel as though the details make the room, especially in the bedroom. Can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve, Crystal! September can't come soon enough, but for your sake I'm going to wish that it takes it's sweet time.

www.hilaryinspired.com

Splenderosa said...

Hi Crystal, how could it be that I love every single one of your posts? But, I do!! Today, I have an award for you at my place, so when you have time hop over. Have a lovely Sunday, darling. xx's

Catherine said...

I love turquoise and orange together. It's a great colour combination that's sadly rarely used.

Anonymous said...

The last photo is the most appealing to me. ;-) gorgeous photos either way!

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