Recently, I became obsessed with a genre of music called Witch house.
Listening to the new ear candy, inspired the following
Vitamin C Barbie makeover/photoshoot.
Old before photo...
After
The dress was made by the wonderful HautePoppet.
For this last bit, I want to give you a peek into my photo editing.
After reading a killer article by Sharon Marie Wright about 12 Tips to Being a Better Photo Blogger
I decided to pull back the curtain a little.
I don't post as much as I would like, but I'm not big on posting images I'm not pleased with. (Something Sharon mentions in the linked article.)
There have been a few photos I posted anyway, but it eats at me.
I find the best photos happen when I feel a special spark of inspiration.
Forcing it, rarely works out.
I wouldn't say I am a photo blogger. I don't know what I am.
A weirdo, enjoying the creative outlet dolls allow?
(That's me!)
If anything, the article made me realize I have been misstepping when it comes to presenting content.
I haven't been as candid as I wished.
I appreciate my readers and those who share my love of the weird and wonderful world of dolls.
People get offended.
It's unavoidable.
So, I will continue to use certain caution, I'm not a monster,
but not at the risk of losing my voice in a sea of criticism.
On with the point...
(Don't forget what this picture looks like as I am about to ramble.)
There are SO many wonderful doll photographers out there.
But seldom do we see the behind the scenes.
For me, I feel nude when I think about showing an untouched photo.
Let me elaborate...
You get the set up just right (so you think) and you snap away.
You take anywhere from 20-100 pictures to get the right shot.
My computer hates me.
You comb through each and every picture looking at clarity, lighting, posing, etc.
It is mind numbing.
Sometimes, I walk away for a few days and come back to choose the ones I feel turned out best.
Then you get to edit them.
(I use PicMonkey.)
You tweak everything your insane little eyes can rip apart until you feel blah about it,
and then you tweak it some more.
Rarely, does a picture come out in need of zero editing.
It does happen, but I wish it happened more.
Maybe it's just me with this issue? O.o
Coming up with a picture that makes you happy is a lot of effort most of the time.
I'm not a purist when it comes to photography.
I admire those who can snap a shot with zero editing needed.
For me, and my mainly indoor photography, it just isn't realistic.
(Not yet.)
So, play with lighting, poses, filters, themes, and go nuts.
^_^
Time to get naked...
Yes, they are the same photo.
Twinsies...sort of.
One more to mix it up.
This is a photo from the doll story I post sometimes.
I want to note that I'm not a professional,
and I don't consider myself a supreme picture taker.
I'm just a person who is doing what she enjoys.
I think stripping off the wow factor is something I'd love to see more of in the doll/toy community.
There is just something about seeing the process that feels kind of magical.
Even when the whole shebang starts out hideous.
Sometimes it ends hideous too.
In that case, it is okay to share your failures.
We aren't perfect. (Woohoo! Cliché!)
Lessons learned.
What are we hiding behind that curtain?
In closing, I want to make mention of The Stand magazine.
The articles are relevant and refreshing.
If you love the realness behind the inanimate objects we enjoy,
and all they entail, you should hop over to The Stand's website.
Thank you, for stopping by...
<3
Cat
I love seeing the "behind the scenes" of many various artists, because it can give me multiple perspectives and even greater inspiration for my own work. I've been doing doll video and photography for over 6 years now, but just starting into the blogsphere really. It's helpful to my ambition to see other people's creative process.
ReplyDeleteHello, Erin! Thank you for your candid reply on the subject. I think a common misconception is that the great pictures you see just happen without much effort. Like you, I enjoy seeing the creative process of others. It pushes me forward and often gives me those ah ha moments. :) Is there a site I can see your work?
DeleteOooh! I like seeing the photo process (most particularly because I'm terrible at photos, so yeah, I'm curious about what those of you who are good at it do!).
ReplyDeleteThe new look on mint-haired Barbie is utterly gorgeous, too.
Thank you! :) (I follow your blog, your photos are SO not terrible!) <3
DeleteI would like to start out by saying that I KNOW I'm a terrible doll photographer. I'm a terrible photographer period. That said, I've been adjusting the lighting and color on the doll photos I post to my blog with my computer ever since I figured out how. Even with these fixes my doll photos don't have the same 'wow factor' as photos taken by other, more talented photographers. But I like to think that my photos are at least more presentable. I think my problem may be two-fold. First off, I really need to sit down with my camera manual again and figure out exactly how the different settings work. Second, I need to stop thinking of my photos as being secondary to the story being told. The posts on my blog tend to be word heavy, with few pictures. I need to get it into my head that the photos are just as important to the post as the writing. That, and I really need to get out and just PRACTICE taking photos. We learn by doing after all, and reading books on a subject isn't the same as having hands on experience.
ReplyDeleteSigned, Treesa
First, thank you so much for taking the time to comment. :) I thoroughly enjoyed reading your perspective.
DeleteSitting down and learning what your camera is capable of is really beneficial. Knowing how it responds in natural light vs artificial is also a bonus. :) I think with the story telling element, letting the photos speak on behalf of what you might normally write out is harder in the beginning. Especially if you enjoy the writing process (I can relate). Personally, I love picture heavy blogs with good reads attached. But not everyone feels that way. Do what makes you happiest, and keep looking into tutorials and taking so many pictures that your computer hates you once they have uploaded. lol ;) Again, thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! I will be following your blog as soon as google is done giving me the error message. Until then, I bookmarked you. :)
Aww, I can't love this any more if I tried! I'd really like to share some of this with the STAND readers and link them back to you for them to read the whole thing - if you wouldn't mind.
ReplyDeleteI also really love your boldness to show your before/afters. Maybe I will be brave enough to show a few of mine too.
Thank you for this - really, really well done! (and thanks for the shout out, I appreciate it and am so glad someone is reading what I post lol!)
Thank you! <3 Not going to lie, I was blown away when I saw this comment! I would be completely honored. You have my full permission to share any part of this you wish. :)
DeleteI feel like you are one of the boldest doll/toy photographers I have seen. You always make me want to push and challenge myself. Thank you, for writing and sharing such awesome content. I greatly enjoy reading your articles and looking at your incredible photos. You have one hell of a perspective, and I love it. :)
I hope to see you share some before/afters in the future. ^_^