I previously wrote a post ‘Real Life Fashion’ and today, I received my long-awaited copy of ‘The Sartorialist’ – Scott Shuman’s debut book containing the images of stylish people from the world’s streets that he has shot for his blog.
Although these pictures are available to view online, I do prefer holding the book and physically flicking through to stop at eye-catching shots and then returning to learn about the people in the shots.
One such flick involved a shot of a rather dapper man who was spotted in Harlem. I thought the story behind his suit was quite extraordinary and very amusing.
When asked about his suit, Shuman had expected the man to say that he’d had it for ages, instead he told of how 10 years ago he had been a drug dealer and when one of his customers couldn’t pay up, she threw the suit at him as payment.
A recent post on his blog cites who his influences are – among them, Steve McCurry – the celebrated photographer who gave us the ‘most recognisable photograph in the world’.
Looking through McCurry’s shots from India, Afghanistan, Africa, Cambodia – one of the things that leaps out at me are the colours that are so vibrant and eye-catching, they become part of the detail rather than just part of the environment.
Another influence is the German photographer August Sander, whose shots are of the people he encountered on a daily basis. Sander’s shots are not of stylish passers-by, but of people from all walks of life.
Although Shuman’s pictures seem to be of the bold and the beautiful, there is a great deal more to them than meets the eye. They are of people that he has encountered on his travels; attracted by uniquely dressed individuals – whether they ooze style and elegance, just look good or give us the impression they have a great story to tell!
Post by Nicola Charalambous (Picture Editor for PA Photocall)
