I'd planned on taking some outside photos but with the awful weather that wasn't to be, so I decided to set up my indoor 'studio' lights and the second backdrop that I received a couple of months ago from Ebay. You may remember I posted about the first of the two backdrops here:
If-you-go-down-to-woods-today
So the second backdrop arrived and was more similar to the first one than I remembered but that wasn't a problem as they are very cheap. It needed ironing as, like the first one to arrive, it had been folded down to fit into a smallish envelope. I used my iron on a cooler setting as the backdrops are sort of plasticised fabric, and I didn't want to burn it. This one is not as good as the first one though as it has paint/printing missing on the creases, but I guess for the cheap price, what could I really expect!
I have been changing some of my ball jointed dolls into warmer clothing, so thought I'd use the backdrop to take some photos of the girls in their winter wear. I attached the backdrop to the wall with poster tack and then, as suggested by Sandi of Xanadu Dolls blog I used the ironing board as the 'table' for the dolls to stand on, and I set up the two photographic lights on their tripod stands.
First to have her photo taken was my Fairyland Mini Fee tanned Chloe, with her German Shepherd dog.....I think there is too much light in this photo but when I turned off the lights, so there were shadows created which made the backdrop look very artificial. The backdrop has sunrays coming from the top left hand corner as you can see. This is supposed to represent sunshine coming through the trees. I believe it looks too artificial and unnatural....(any suggestions gratefully received!!!)
Next up we have Dylan, my Little Cosmos Dolls Robin, wearing a different wig. I'm not sure it's 'her' but will keep it on for a while. I think I'll probably go back to the red plaited wig in the end!
Riley Mai, (Ppinkydolls Malisa) hasn't had any camera time in ages, so I took a few photos of her too. I changed her eyes from brown to these two toned, blue/green eyes. I'm actually thinking of changing her body from her original resin one to a hard plastic Pure Neemo one....so watch this space!
This poor girl hasn't had a change of clothes in probably a couple of years!!! So I think that'll be my job for the next few days, find her another outfit that suits (and fits!) her!
Next up we have tiny little Marley, (Tanned Meng version 4 by Secretdoll) who I had been thinking of selling as I couldn't 'bond' with her. I decided to change her wig and eyes and as soon as I saw her in this wig so I realised just how cute she is, she just hadn't found her 'style'!!!.....she will be staying!!!
Finally we have Gala (Adori in Milky tan by Harucasting). Gala has had several changes of clothing over the summer but I kept forgetting to photograph her. But now she is in her winter outfit looking all cosy and warm!
I think what I've learned this photo session is that the studio lights are great for eliminating the shadows behind the dolls but I've come across other challenges. The dolls look a little bit pale and washed out and the colours do not 'pop' like outside photos do for me. Also, the tripods on the lights are not really tall enough for the dolls when they are standing on the ironing board, I need to take it all a little lower. So here we have two studio lights, one on either side of the dolls, and an overhead spotlight bulb in the ceiling. I didn't use the flash in any of these photos, so it really is purely the studio lights. I think I need to find a way of defusing them!
Well I hope you've enjoyed seeing some of my little girls today. I will change some more soon and take more photos....hopefully the weather will be dry and I can go back to taking them outside.
Have a great week ahead!
Big hugs Sharon xx
