tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post7367516079368216225..comments2024-02-26T07:35:50.281-08:00Comments on the style saloniste: Photographer I Admire: Vicki TopazDiane Dorrans Saekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-82864292029401577282010-09-05T12:05:53.598-07:002010-09-05T12:05:53.598-07:00Stunning images of amazing structures. So glad to...Stunning images of amazing structures. So glad to learn more about them. <br /><br />I am also quite intrigued by Vicki's silvering hair project, although not willing to succumb to my own silvering hair quite yet.<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />ClaudiaClaudia Juestelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17389119986741070713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-42850596500602772832010-09-04T21:56:34.875-07:002010-09-04T21:56:34.875-07:00Dear Friends-
Thank you so much for your lovely co...Dear Friends-<br />Thank you so much for your lovely comments. I have passed them all on to Vicki Topaz...who is thrilled to bits.<br /><br />Dear Carla-I'm pleased this book is on your 'wish list'...and perhaps you can treat yourself to it. I collect books...several a week, mostly design...and I must say this book and Vicki's photography are rare and original and unusually personal. Wishing you the book!<br /><br />Hi Vicki-You live in Provence, which is all sunshine and vivid color. It's so interesting that in Normany and Brittany where Vicki shot the images--it is so completely different, another country.<br /><br />Hi Cristin--yes, she found the subdued light of winter was perfect for the mood she wanted to capture. These photos would not have had the haunting sense of loss and history and romanticism, if they had been shot in full sunshine. Did you notice that she prints her own film! See you soon.<br /><br />DEAR SQUARE--Thank you for your fantastic and witty and brisk and bright email. I appreciated your points and your insight. Black and white--did you notice (please look back) that these images almost have green and sepia tones in them. I don't find them cold at all. Black and white, in her artistic goal, was perfect.<br /><br />Hello, Karena--It is only about 20 years since photography was truly first consider art, seriously. Now photography like this is truly expressive and personal and 'one-of-a-kind' and classic. So happy to hear from you.<br /><br />cheers to all, DIANEDiane Dorrans Saekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-70021576317848514392010-09-03T14:12:00.319-07:002010-09-03T14:12:00.319-07:00Vicki's photography is wonderful and the image...Vicki's photography is wonderful and the images of these works of art are breathtaking. Thank you Diane.<br /><br />Karena<br />Art by KarenaKarenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05206642885608991170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-60859402214402275782010-09-03T08:11:09.430-07:002010-09-03T08:11:09.430-07:00How picturesque these structures are. The charmin...How picturesque these structures are. The charming details such as patterning of stone and brick, the dormers, and half timbered exteriors, make each one a very unique architectural treasure. <br /> <br />While the soft black and white images are moody and atmospheric, I am so entranced by the buildings that I long to view them in colour also. How pretty they must look in their verdant, rural, old world settings. The softer focus used here makes them particularly dreamy and romantic. For these black and white images, it was a good aesthetic choice to photograph when the surrounding trees are bare. The perceived greater volume of leafy trees would have detracted from the colombiers being the centres of interest, and the delicate looking branches form the ideal counterpoint.<br /> <br />Imagine the great beauty of flocks of pigeons or doves gathering to roost at dusk, as they swirl about these satisfyingly cylindrical buildings. I admire the geometric purity of these generously scaled dovecotes, and they call to mind the image of the dove in the arts through the ages, especially in Christian iconography as symbol of the Holy Spirit, or in the exquisite 20th century drawings and collages of Picasso, Braque, and Matisse. These magnificent pavilions show that in the old world, the beautiful white dove was a much esteemed creature.<br /> <br />I applaud Vicki Topaz’ project, ‘Silver: A State of Mind’, to record women with silver hair. Our society and culture are far too ageist, and we need more exposure to alternative images of people than those in ads and fashion editorials.<br /> <br />“No Spring nor Summer Beauty hath such grace <br />As I have seen in one Autumnal face.” <br /> - John Donne<br /> <br />A very interesting subject and post Diane…Square with Flairhttp://squarewithflair.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-42444176306331582642010-09-02T17:50:06.935-07:002010-09-02T17:50:06.935-07:00Wow, her work is beautifully haunting. I found it ...Wow, her work is beautifully haunting. I found it fascinating that she preferred to shot in winter. What a lovely read! <br />Many thanks, <br />CristinCristin // Simplified Beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13087851251083940026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-29409109722515060092010-09-02T11:13:13.089-07:002010-09-02T11:13:13.089-07:00Diane....You are absolutely right, I am so taken w...Diane....You are absolutely right, I am so taken with these images and I love the fact that they are shot during the winter months. Thank you for introducing me to Vicki Topaz wonderful work, xv.vicki archerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07847183975086900816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-11689974805726465272010-09-02T10:49:33.720-07:002010-09-02T10:49:33.720-07:00Her work is stunning. Definitely on my Christmas l...Her work is stunning. Definitely on my Christmas list too. Thanks for the introduction!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18342939244592589843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-2060177487540528152010-09-02T10:38:59.606-07:002010-09-02T10:38:59.606-07:00Good Morning, dear Friends--I'm so gratified w...Good Morning, dear Friends--I'm so gratified with the response to Vicki's beautiful work, and the artistry and emotion to brings to her photography. I think everyone noted also the subtext...the sense of loss for times past and history faded from view.<br /><br />Dear Kit-Loved hearing from you. You are right, these are very personal and emotive photos, and Vicki's eye and sense is evident everywhere on the film She shoots film...which amazed everyone. See you soon I hope.<br /><br />Dear Albarosa--Yes, darkroom! in her house in San Francisco. Yes...speaking of times past and long-gone ideas. Time to bring out the film and the Leica!<br /><br />Hi Heather in Phuket...interesting that everyone commented on and was amazed by FILM...so poetic in this case. Vicki develops her own images...thus the beautiful and depth and originality of her work. I love the deep sense of emotion in her work--even beyond the fading light and the composition, of course. Plus the content.<br /><br />Hi Marnie--Yes, Vicki produces amazingly original books. Dovecotes in France...not your everyday volume, but such an essential and vivid and inspiring book. I had some friends comment that they would love it for a gift...hint, hint.<br /><br />Hi Mary--yes, her new book is yet another deep and emotional topic and I am sure it will be great. I look forward to seeing it.<br /><br />Hi Sally..yes, dovecotes. Now when we return to France we will know what those mysterious and wonderful structures are beside the chateaux! Notice that all the architecture is different...and I love that there are still some doves in residence, even of the falling down colombiers. See you soon, I hope.<br /><br />Hi Judith--wonderful to hear from you, in Santa Fe (lucky!!). loved your note and am happy that you are joining THE STYLE SALONISTE salon and tribe.<br /><br />cheers to all, and I look forward to hearing from each and every one of you. DIANEDiane Dorrans Saekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-31807489840627344112010-09-02T10:20:43.278-07:002010-09-02T10:20:43.278-07:00Brilliant images of these corners of
"silenc...Brilliant images of these corners of<br />"silence and stillness."<br />Thanks for the introduction to this beautiful book !<br /><br />judith<br /><br />p.s.<br />I followed your note from Vicki's<br />comments.studioJudithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05560914513878435960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-44843816170605899172010-09-01T14:08:47.401-07:002010-09-01T14:08:47.401-07:00Both my daughter, Carrie and I love dovecotes. Suc...Both my daughter, Carrie and I love dovecotes. Such a treat to see them so beautifully photographed.<br />Thanks, Diane!GRAYSONFAVOURhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00395420253863103741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-51641732232573349462010-09-01T08:10:11.158-07:002010-09-01T08:10:11.158-07:00These beautiful images touched the chord of melanc...These beautiful images touched the chord of melancholy in my soul. "Silent Nests" is now at the top of my Christmas wish list. Thanks immensely. Marymaryhttp://mjhdesignarts.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-15039447413112907352010-09-01T04:33:21.343-07:002010-09-01T04:33:21.343-07:00thank you for this interview - I was especially ta...thank you for this interview - I was especially taken by her description of her current book: Silvering: "silvering of hair is an entry point to a diversity of thoughts and ideas..." I agree 100% having a few silvery sparkles in my mane. Loved listening to your interview on Skirted Roundtable - just heard it last week -Marniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04475036454364463323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-45633676589593746112010-08-31T21:29:45.965-07:002010-08-31T21:29:45.965-07:00Now I am even more excited to visit the area...jus...Now I am even more excited to visit the area...just two weeks...<br />Daughter #3 took Grandad's old camera and now is very keen on film leaving her digital to the side....I myself am into instant gratification but looking at these pictures I perhaps should expand my horizons back...if you have a minute check out http://www.welovebluestockings.comConcrete Junglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01719831749205797925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-46367169453181797002010-08-31T12:05:34.114-07:002010-08-31T12:05:34.114-07:00A dark room? Film? I am so happy to see these almo...A dark room? Film? I am so happy to see these almost forgotten words. I believe B&W digital is not completely here yet even if I have seen good quality prints lately. I am a purist for my fine photography and the Leica camera is my faithful friend. I really enjoyed her images, so evocative and pure.Brillante Interiorshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05829930791068801175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-50724449488117602572010-08-31T10:42:29.926-07:002010-08-31T10:42:29.926-07:00Hi Diane, stunning & original, these film phot...Hi Diane, stunning & original, these film photographs you have shown us from Vick Topaz. You can almost feel her actual hand on these images..ghostly and enchanting..<br /><br />thanks so much for the enlightenment!<br /><br />a bientot!<br /><br />Kit*Chic Provence*https://www.blogger.com/profile/06520485138167646348noreply@blogger.com