Learning Center
Fashion

Eric Striffler. Based in Water Mill, New York on Eastern Long Island has been shooting fashion, lifestyle, interiors, and portraits for over 12 years in venues ranging from the Hamptons to New York City to Miami and the Caribbean. An accomplished stylist with an uncanny ability to create believable and compelling images with an air of mystery and sensuality, Striffler earned his stripes the hard way, in the demanding rough-and-tumble realm of magazine photography. He’s been shooting independently since 2001, and his work has received heartfelt accolades from leading media buyers, art directors, and fellow photographers. Striffler’s provocative pictures have appeared in magazines ranging from Elle, W, and Vogue to Town & Country, House Beautiful, Business Week, and the New York Observer, just to give a small sampling.

Striffler’s images are not photojournalistic in the strict sense-- his subjects, locations, attire and props are often carefully selected and arranged in advance. But his freewheeling approach to the actual shooting process is reminiscent of the techniques used by the great photojournalists, Alfred Eisenstaedt and Henri Cartier-Bresson. Like Eisenstaedt, Striffler believes that “the world we live in is a succession of fleeting moments, any one of which may say something significant” and he feels that “capturing the decisive moments when expression, gesture, and lighting are all perfect is kind of like a dance.”

“I can set up the elements of a scene and even have an imaginative vision of the perfect picture in my mind,” says Striffler, “but from that point on I simply have to allow things to happen—to be in the right place at the right time in order to capture that incisive vision. It’s all about space and time, operating within clearly defined parameters, but then responding to those fleeting moments appropriately. What I consider a successful image is one that perfectly captures what I had envisioned in my mind, but nevertheless has a candid spur-of-the-moment look. In order to achieve this I have to interact with my subjects in a fluid and responsive way, and that’s why having the right equipment is essential.”

Eric Striffler is a Canon shooter, who relies on a pro Canon 1DS and a top-of-the-line 1DS Mark II for his professional work. “I have a few Canon lenses,” he notes “but recently I’ve been using the Tamron AF28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di wide-range macro zoom for about 75% of my work. It’s a great lens to have because when things start happening I have to be able to get the shot—period. Things often come together in an instant and I may never be able to get that precise moment again. Even the smallest nuance of expression can make a big difference. The 28-300mm Tamron lets me capture an incredible variety of images from my ‘sweet spot’ shooting position without running around or changing lenses. The fact that I can keep the same lens on the camera body for an entire shoot is a big plus for me, and it also minimizes dust-on-the-sensor issues. The macro mode even allows me to come in tight for ‘fashion product shots’ of watches and jewelry within the context of a fashion or lifestyle shoot. Operationally, versatility is definitely the best feature of the Tamron 28-300, and the fact that it’s so well balanced on camera and very light means that I’m not bouncing around when shooting handheld, which is how I operate.”

“Of course versatility alone without performance to match wouldn’t be of much use,” observes Striffler, "and that’s where the 28-300mm Tamron really shines. I am very impressed with its imaging performance on my high-resolution, professional 16.7MP Canon 1DS Mark II. I’m very picky about image quality, and I’m delighted to say that the 28-300mm Tamron delivers excellent quality at all focal lengths and apertures, and outstanding macro performance as well. The lens is the most important element in the imaging chain. Just as the speakers of a good stereo system are what deliver the sound to the ear, it’s ultimately the lens that delivers the image to the eye. The bottom line is that I am extremely happy with this amazingly affordable, super-flexible lens, and its combination of versatility and performance. The Tamron 28-300mm is literally an extension of my eye that takes the worry out of capturing those magic moments.”

To see more of Eric Striffler’s outstanding images go to www.striffler.com.