Normcore

The radical act of being completely unremarkable default settings, and proud of it

Normcore aesthetic photography reference
Referencenormcore
Shoot Brief · Call Sheet● TC 00:00:00:00
AestheticNormcore
Roll033
Status0 / 5 Shot
LightWhatever is available and if nothing is av
WardrobeNew Balance 990s, plain white or grey t-sh

Shot list

Tap a frame to mark it shot — grease pencil, saved on this device

FR·01A
Portrait against a grey wall wearing a grey t-shirt and jeans, the composition itself deliberately mediocre
FR·02A
Environmental shot in a chain coffee shop or fast-food restaurant, the subject consuming it without irony
FR·03A
Full-body shot in a shopping mall, surrounded by chain store branding, the subject blending in
FR·04A
Portrait with deliberately imperfect composition subject not centered, slightly out of focus, slightly wrong exposure
FR·05A
Group shot of multiple subjects where everyone is dressed identically in plain, functional clothing
Roll
00 / 05
⌁ LightingWhatever is available and if nothing is available, add a bare LED panel and accept the flat, unmodeled result; normcore actively resists the effort that good lighting represents

whatever is available and if nothing is av ✦

⌁ WardrobeNew Balance 990s, plain white or grey t-shirt, straight-leg jeans or chinos, a fleece; the wardrobe is a catalogue spread for a brand that makes no claims about identity

new balance 990s

Director noteGive no creative direction tell the subject to stand where they feel comfortable, look where they want to look, and do nothing with their hands; the normcore aesthetic is produced by the absence of direction, and every directorial intervention undermines it

Locations

Chain coffee shopShopping mall food courtSuburban car parkAirport gate waiting area

Explore the aesthetic

Style guide
Color palette

About this brief

How do I photograph the Normcore aesthetic?
The radical act of being completely unremarkable default settings, and proud of it. Give no creative direction tell the subject to stand where they feel comfortable, look where they want to look, and do nothing with their hands; the normcore aesthetic is produced by the absence of direction, and every directorial intervention undermines it
What shots should I get for a Normcore photo shoot?
Capture: Portrait against a grey wall wearing a grey t-shirt and jeans, the composition itself deliberately mediocre; Environmental shot in a chain coffee shop or fast-food restaurant, the subject consuming it without irony; Full-body shot in a shopping mall, surrounded by chain store branding, the subject blending in; Portrait with deliberately imperfect composition subject not centered, slightly out of focus, slightly wrong exposure; Group shot of multiple subjects where everyone is dressed identically in plain, functional clothing.
What lighting works for Normcore photography?
Whatever is available and if nothing is available, add a bare LED panel and accept the flat, unmodeled result; normcore actively resists the effort that good lighting represents
Where should I shoot Normcore photography?
Good locations include: Chain coffee shop, Shopping mall food court, Suburban car park, Airport gate waiting area.
What wardrobe works for Normcore photography?
New Balance 990s, plain white or grey t-shirt, straight-leg jeans or chinos, a fleece; the wardrobe is a catalogue spread for a brand that makes no claims about identity

Generate shoot references in the normcore style

Elio reads your visual references and generates images in your exact aesthetic. Use it to build a mood board before the shoot or create composite references for your client.

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