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Building a custom VSCO Pro film recipe inspired by the Kodak color negative stock that Stephen Shore leaned on—especially in Uncommon Places—felt less like chasing a look and more like learning the artist's philosophy. His color work has this quiet discipline to it, a kind of restraint that refuses to oversell the moment. Nothing is overly saturated or dramatic, yet everything feels deliberate and deeply observed. While building this recipe, I found myself pulling back moreso than pushing forward—softening contrast, letting colors breathe, allowing imperfections to stay as they were created. That’s where Shore’s influence really lives for me, at least. He wasn’t just documenting the everyday; he was elevating it without forcing it. From his time immersed in the creative chaos of Warhol’s Factory to now, still shooting with something as simple and accessible as an iPhone, he’s remains a true pioneer—constantly reminding me that it’s not about the gear or even the film stock, but about how you see, and more importantly, how much you’re willing to hold back.
What surprised me most in the process was how much restraint actually demands intention. It’s easy to crank saturation or chase a nostalgic palette, but dialing things back requires trust—trust that the scene itself carries enough weight. I started noticing subtleties I would’ve normally ignored: the way midday light flattens a storefront, the slight color shift in faded signage, the stillness of a parking lot that most people would pass without a second thought. That’s the space this recipe tries to live in. It doesn’t scream “film,” it whispers it—echoing Shore’s ability to turn the ordinary into something worth lingering on, frame by frame.
Thank you for your contributions to the art, Stephen. I hope you are well. —Greg
