I marvel at the pastels she's able to pull into her photography.
Related Recs
She’s been my favorite since her work caught my eye on Tumblr, circa 2016. She photographs buildings, primarily in Southern California, where I live. You can find her on Instagram as casualtimetravel.
Southern California is naturally beautiful, but most of what’s been built here is based around cars - wide streets, strip malls, big parking lots - and there isn’t much beauty to be found in it.
Lots of photographers take photos of banal American architecture, but typically they seem to try to show it as ugly and soulless. Which, fair enough. SV looks at that architecture and shows us something else.
Her compositions are clever and precise, bringing elements together in brightly lit, complex compositions. The light is key for me. She embraces midday sun and its clear colors and sharp shadows. It’s what it feels like to live here where the beaming sun is an almost-daily presence.
But what really shines in her work, what I fall for every time, is the sense of humor that comes through her photos. I can imagine her smiling as she composes them, happy to see how she can bring the elements together for the viewer. Yes, the dull architecture is there, but it’s been cropped and composed into something almost whimsical.
It’s always there, in the supermarket parking lot, the back of a strip mall, the stucco facade of an office building, it just takes an artist to show it to us.
Feb 12, 2025
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She’sa photographer named Sinziana Velicescu. I first saw her about nine years ago on tumblr and have followed her since. she captures the feeling of Southern California in a unique and true-to-life way. And her work has a sense of humor to it that gives it warmth and life even though her compositions are precise.
Also for photography, check out The Heidies and Brooke Holm.
Jun 11, 2024
Feb 24, 2025
Top Recs from @lucius
Alright y'all, standards have gotten a little lax around here and rec quality has taken a dip (I'm including myself in this). Here are some pointers for High Rec Standards.
ANATOMY OF A REC:
TITLE—This is the rec or recommendations. This is NOT a lead in. Type exactly what you're recommending here. What appears in the Title should finish this sentence, "I recommend _____."
BODY—This supports the rec and anything goes. Supporting statements, supporting essays, additional recs, you can get silly, you can pontificate. You can do anything you want. Except putting the main rec down here. Where does it go? That's right. In the Title 👆
IMAGE—No rules. Add one to preference. It can be relevant or a non sequitur.
LINK—I highly recommend links but it's not as important as the Title or Body. If you are recommending something that has an online presence (music, movies, websites, products, etc.), Piffies want to click on it immediately. Don't make us google. Be kind a leave a link.
EMOJI—No rules. Express yourself.
ANTI-RECS:
They exist and they are valid recs. "Anti-Rec: _____" clearly communicates this is something best avoided. But a better way format this type of Rec is to use a modifier or verb that flows with "I recommend _____." Ex. I recommend... Not Eating Tacks, Avoiding Area X, Leaving Off the Anchovies, etc.—(Formatting Anti-Recs this way first recommended by tyler the Creator)
ANATOMY OF AN ASK:
TITLE—This is the question or topic of the Ask. Asks can solicit advice or start a discussion. You have some flexibility here because the Ask is expected to be expounded upon in the body if it needs more context. Just be clear. Again, this is not a lead in. Be direct and ask the question or state the topic.
BODY—Provide more context. Narrow the recommendation field. Add relevant links. Remember, the Ask goes in the Title 👆
EMOJI—No rules. Express yourself.
ANSWERING AN ASK—Recs on Asks can break style as dictated by the Ask. If the Ask is looking for Recs, give Recs following style. If it's asking for opinions, give your opinion. Asking for links? Give links! Respond however you would respond some someone IRL. Asks start a conversation so you can be more conversational. But keep in mind that these Recs will appear in the main feed. So where you can maintain Rec style, do so.
Example: WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT LETTERBOXD TOP 4?
A response to this with High Rec Standards would look something like this:
TITLE—Lists your current Letterboxd top 4. You are recommending these four movies.
BODY—Free reign here. Drop your Letterboxd @. Talk about the movies. Make a quip. Emoji. Relevant links. Nothing.
IMAGE—Optional. Screenshot of your top four. Frame from a movie. Dealer's choice.
LINK—Add your Letterboxd profile only if you want to be found.
EMOJI—Whatever. But it'd be nice if it was relevant.
DISCLAIMER:
This is a living community document! These are only my recommendations for a foundation. Debate and Discussion of proper style are Encouraged. Any editions and changes to the PI.FYI STYLE GUIDE will be notated with attribution.
Changelog:
07.26.2024—Clarified a Rec is not limited to one recommendation. Recs can recommend multiple things. Thanks to shegoestoanotherschool for identifying the issue. / Added guidance for Anti-Rec format.
02.11.2025—Moved SpongeBob Bubble Blowing Technique video link from the top level into the body ("some pointers") so the embed wouldn't override the High Quality instructional graphic.
Jul 25, 2024
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This combo has just been here the whole time?!
Feb 6, 2025
🥯
i will eat one every day i do not give a fuck anymore
Jan 30, 2024