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Photography Tips by Julie Agozino
Our dear pal Lisa asked me
to write about how I take photos of my dolls. I must say, I’m still learning
and somewhat in the dark when it comes to digital photography.
Personally, I was reluctant to go digital, because I just didn’t see the
quality I experienced with Single Reflex Lenses. After too many times of
impatiently waiting for photos to be processed, I caved and instantly knew
that digital photography was faster than frozen waffles.
The first essential item is
a digital camera with a MACRO feature. In order to see facial or clothing
details, you must be able to get in very close to your subject.
I use a Sony FD
Mavica 1.2 Mega Pixels. As I understand it, more pixels
aren’t necessary and make the files too large. My Mavica can use either a
MEMORY STICK or a 31/2” floppy disk. For the first year, I used the floppy
thinking it was really convenient. Wrong, it only allowed eight images at
time verses something like 75 images for the MEMORY STICK. The MEMORY STICK
produces a cleaner image as well. The Mavica has one draw back that I know
of (please realize my experience in digital is limited to this one camera)
and that is when I depress the shutter button, the camera shakes and the
image goes a bit out of focus. I have to adjust for this in
Photoshop by doing a
Sharpen task. This seems to put edges throughout my image that I
don’t always like.
The second required item is
a very stable table or surface on which to photograph.
An unsteady surface can produce blurry images. Also choose a secure doll
stand, like a Gene stand, for standing shots or make a sturdy seat for
sitting or reclining poses. Always keep your subject stable to help prevent
blurriness. I’ve noticed that dangling earrings can reveal doll instability
in the nicest of photos. (That sounds like a bad joke, but it’s true!) Mat boards make great backgrounds. Gray, black or white are good basics.
Non-reflective fabrics can be draped over the mat board and seat for a seamless background.
I
use two main household lamps with 75 watt GE True Color
bulbs on either side of my subject and one light in front as a fill. The
front light has a vanity sized GE True Color bulb that helps diffuse the
spotlight effect. The GE True Color bulbs fight the yellow cast that indoor
photos have. Sometimes no matter what I try, I can’t get the appearance of
yellow out of a doll’s vinyl and then it’s time to move outside where the
camera reads outdoor light on the blue side. Adjust the lamps by moving them
slightly to compensate for glare on bare chests, intense highlights on
blonde hair and paint sheen.
I prefer to shoot without a tripod with my camera. I’m not able to get close enough to the dolls with a tripod or move the camera in and about to achieve the angles that show the doll’s personality. When I’m satisfied with my composition, I brace my elbows at outward angles, and depress the shutter button. I generally take many photos with different backgrounds and outfit changes. Before I make a change though, I go to the computer to check my images. At this point I open them in Adobe Photoshop PhotoDeluxe Home Edition 4.0 . It’s a simple photo-editing program. I use it for: cropping; adjusting color balance; adding contrast and sharpness; adding outlines/frames and type. These tools don’t alter the image itself, they just enhance and balance digital photographs. I do spend a lot of time photographing and editing my repaints. I shoot a lot of crummy shots and a few really great ones. I find the whole process of photographing my repainted dolls exciting and gratifying as I see the face I created light up my computer’s screen. I hope have offered some useful information. Yet, I implore anyone, if you have tips to help me grow as a digital photographer . . . please share!
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