“… for me it’s all about the subject and the light”
The word “photography” comes from two individual words: “photo” meaning “light” and “graph” meaning “to write”, literally translating to the wonderful definition, “to write with light”, and there is no better way to describe photographer Debi Treloar than as a “light writer”.
Treloar‘s photographs are images that appear to be written with the most beautiful light, capturing not only its illuminating element, but also the soft, lightweight quality it can bestow when in the right hands.
Originally from Zimbabwe, Debi began her studies in art, developing a particular love and passion for photography. Living and working in London for the past 15 years, she has produced the photography for over 30 books on interiors and food that have been published around the world in many different languages. She has worked on a variety of well-known publications, including Elle Décor UK, Italy, Germany, France and Japan, and IDFX Magazine.
Best known for her photography of food, gardens, interiors and lifestyles captured in a modern, and simple style, Debi has notably participated in the creation of a series of French cookery books by Joanne Harris and Fran Warde {one & two} and also shot the food photography for a series in the Sunday Times with Tom Conran.
This week, eager to take advantage of the many photo opportunities the summer sunlight gives, we ask Debi her:
{5 favourite tips for capturing a beautiful image:}
1. Go to the tropics! Everything always seems to look good there! It’s not always an option, but try to have something beautiful in front of you or put it or them into the best setting you can find.
2. Make sure the light hitting whatever you are photographing looks beautiful — if it doesn’t, walk around it to see where it looks better from, or move it to a place with better light.
3. The angle you take the picture makes a huge difference — for example, if you take a picture of a person from low it makes his or her chin and neck look bigger, but if you take the photograph from high, it will make his or her face look thinner.
4. Try to expose the picture right; for example, if you use an iPhone and take a snap of someone, and they look too dark, by touching the screen where his or her face is, it will lighten it. If it is still too dark, choose the darkest part of the screen and the exposure will lighten — I wish my work cameras were like that!
5. Try new technology! Try some apps — they really help to enhance pictures — I personally like “camerabag”.
{all photography by debi treloar from the book romantic style by selina lake & sara norrman}
