WWCD? What would Coco do?

Above: Image, Gina Milicia

Coco Chanel once said, “Before leaving the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory.” This advice can be applied to photography.

It’s easy to get caught up in lighting and post-production techniques that end up overpowering an image.

Next time you are adding props to a photo, lighting an image or retouching a shot ask yourself  

WWCD? What would Coco do?

Do you need the extra light? If the answer is no, then try applying the Coco protocol and simplifying your image.

Too many props? WWCD?

One too many Lightroom presets? WWCD?

A beautiful image doesn’t need diamond rings, red lipstick and high heels to stand out.

Chanel wasn’t the only artist who believed in the importance of simplicity.

Next time you are tempted to use the latest editing technique that all the cool kids are using on Instagram you might want to consider the advice of some of the following creative icons:

“Trendy is the last stage before tacky.” – Karl Lagerfeld

“Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication.” – Leonardo da Vinci

“Elegance is elimination.” —Cristóbal Balenciaga

“Minimalism is not a lack of something. It’s simply the perfect amount of something.” – Nicholas Burroughs

“When the subject is strong, simplicity is the only way to treat it.”  – Thomas Jefferson

“Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.” – Coco Chanel

“Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art.” – Frederic Chopin

“Simplicity is nature’s first step, and the last of art.”  – Philip James Bailey

“Simple can be harder than complex. You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple.”  – Steve Jobs

How to direct and pose like a pro

About Gina

About Gina

Gina Milicia is one of the most widely known and respected photographers in Australia. She is the master of capturing that ‘magical moment’... READ MORE

instagram Instagram