Contest Bare Minimum: Photography Contest

Thank you to everyone who entered this contest! We received many truly amazing photos! Votes are in and the winners are:

In first place @Snow


and in second place @Masha

 

Ah YES !

Photography is a weakness of mine; I always have trouble with lighting and angles...
This will be a good challenge !
=^.^=


Questions: Does it have to show the entire doll? Or can it be a part of it? ( like a bust picture, or a lower back curve. )


- Can we use props that aren't used to "dress" the model?

- Can we use props in foreground to cover some of the doll's parts ?

 

Does the reference to "any dolls" mean that you can have more than one doll in the photo?

Seconding the question about props - does the ban on drapery mean that you can't photograph the doll lying on a rug or bedsheet? What if part of the sheet were over part of the doll?

ETA And are there limitations on photoshop? Would any such limitations extend to airbrushing stands out of the photo?

 

@Lawrichai The photo does not have to show the entire doll, it can be cropped or a close up of only a small area. You can obscure parts of the doll with props in the foreground. There is no limit on props that are not used to cover the doll by making direct contact.

@Tide N Thyme Yes, there can be more than one doll in your photo.
Your doll can lay on top of or be near draperies, they just cannot cover any part of the doll directly. Part of a bedsheet covering the doll's body is something I've already specifically thought of and just for consistency I'm going to have to say that no, you cannot cover the doll with anything that is directly touching them.

 

Can the doll be holding something like a glass, mug, toy, cigarette, pencil those type of things ?

 

Thanks! Not sure you saw my ETA (I probably shouldn't have edited to add to my question) but I also wanted to ask about any limitations on photoshop or other editing.

 

Ohh, I have so many ideas for this already!

How about if the doll is partially covered by natural elements? Such as leaning on a tree and that covers a part of the arm or side due to the pose? As in it's not something that's been deliberately placed to cover the doll, although it probably is directly touching them.

 

@Tide N Thyme In the spirit of minimalism it's okay to edit your photo to correct color and such but major additions to the photo should not be made with any editing program.

@Yenna Since we do have to draw the line somewhere (and it's hard!) it's not allowed to have anything directly touching the doll which obscures part of their body.

 

Ooh I almost missed your question @Betobeto-san ! Sure, the only exception I will allow for something touching the doll will be if they are holding something.

 

If there are multiple naked dolls in the image, are they allowed to touch and/or obscure parts of each other's bodies?

ETA: And can the dolls be completely or partially unstrung?

 

In that case, can the doll not be in water either? Because that will likely cover some part of the body. If we're allowed to crop the photo so that only part of the doll is visible, can something else crop it off in the photo (such as being up to the thigh or hip in water)?

 

Oooh, I already have ideas!

Can the doll be sitting on something? A stool/chair/etc?

 

Is it ok for the wig to cover some parts of the doll it's body. Like covering the breasts of the doll? Or is that not allowed?

 

I'm so excited, I've not properly done a photoshoot with any of my dolls yet, I hope to for this contest though! I wanted to ask, are backdrops like scrapbook paper and things like that allowed? (got some at a discount store that happened to have a craft section and I'd love to get to use it). And are doing color overlays okay? Like, for instance, if I don't have a way to do a cool blueish light in a practical way for a photo, can I go into my art program and just overlay some blue color at a super weak opacity to give it that coloring? (sorry for so many questions, I'm just nervous about this being my first contest thing in the hobby, I don't want to do anything that will mess up my entries)

 

If there are multiple dolls in the photo is it enough that one of them is naked, or do they all need to be unclothed?

 

Ok, so just to clarify, since I'm getting confused on what is or isn't allowed....

Props and backgrounds/dioramas are okay, as long as it isn't directly touching the doll? Like for example, it would be okay for a nude doll to be standing in their fully decorated bedroom, as long as they aren't wearing anything or using any of the props as a sort of cover?

Just making sure before I start! Thanks!

 

Yes, you are correct on all that @CloakedSchemer

@Reshana Multiple nude dolls can touch and/ or obscure parts of each other. Doll parts do not need to be strung and partial dolls may be the subject of the photos.

@CherryBlossom The doll's body can be obscured by their hair.

@MonochromeNocturne There is no limit on the background used. And edits like a color tint are allowed.

@UrbanHermit For this contest any dolls pictured should be nude.

 

@Yenna The doll may be fully or partially in water.

@HeyJude yes, the doll may be seated or reclining on furniture.

 

Are we allowed to somewhat recreate a classical painting? (something i've been wanting to do lol)

 

Yessss, so going to enter this, always wanted to try my hand on tastefully nude.

 

Just one question! Is it acceptable to use unclothed doll but what if she wears tattoos or other "body modifications" which more or less covers her skin? It's just paint only but it's covering the skin anyway so.. is it bad?

 

@DontShoottheDucks Yes, you are allowed to recreate works of art.
@Adalwolf whatever is part of the doll, tattoos or modifications, is okay for them to have in the photo.

 

Are we allowed to put out watermark/logo in the picture? (since this one isn't anonymous)
And are the pictures directly uploadable in the thread or should we use something like flickr like on most parts of the forum? (need to look into how i'm going to hide it in there in that case) xD

^.^ Looking forward to seeing other peoples creations!

 

@Kazuki You will be able to upload the image directly into the entry form. Using a personal watermark is allowed (you should not use a shop watermark).

 

I'm totally looking forward to seeing everybody's work!

Am I getting this right - the focus of the photo is meant to be on the beauty of the pure sculpt itself rather than on the scenario or the "story" the picture is trying to tell?

I must admit, I find it hard not to choose one of the realistic, well-defined dolls over the more basic and stylized sculpts as a model …

Edit: Another question
How a bout parts of a real person (not a nude) as a "prop" or backdrop -i.e. a doll sitting on someone's lap?

 

Hello

I love this contests and I will take part in them all I am hoping

I want to ask because I know this is PG13 board, and Im not sure if this will be allowed

The doll will be nude, I understand that and I know it is okay because of the box opening and naked bare bodies is okay

but if the doll is blushed, or has painted nipple and genetalia where it looks realistic must it be covered with hair or something or is it allowed to be exposed but done tastefully?

Thank you :-)

 

@evie the kid I think that if you have several dolls to choose from you should pick the model(s) you feel you can take the most beautiful and interesting photo with. The reason for the theme of the contest is that these dolls are beautiful nude as well as dressed, but it doesn't mean that only hyper realistic dolls merit being photographed nude. I hope what I am saying makes sense. You should follow your heart and use the doll model who inspires you most for this theme.

@GreenTeaSlug It is okay to use a doll who looks very realistic nude. Sexual themes are also okay in the image too, but contestants should avoid submitting a photo which is blatantly pornographic.

 

Thanks @AlisonVonderland , I totally agree with you about not-so-realistic dolls being beautiful as well. I'm actually quite fascinated by the more technical side like joint constructions and posability.
Great theme, I bet there'll be a lot of cool entries!

 

@evie the kid Oops. Sorry I missed one of your questions. Including parts of a real person in your photos is also okay. And the real person does not have the nudity requirements of the doll!

 

I'll try this. Where do I post the photo?

 

@emilie_moon If you follow this link (which is also in the announcement post) and then click "post new thread" that will take you to the entry form. On the entry form you can upload your photo directly.

 

Oh I am so excited for this!

Another question, can the doll be wearing horns? I have the perfect subject in mind, but she has removable horns.

 

This may sound a bit strange but is it OK to have doll hands touching the doll that are not attached a doll?

 

@OkamiKodomo Yes, it is okay for your doll to wear horns.
@Loganberry Yes, that's okay. You can include doll parts which are not strung as part of a doll.

 

Can I have my doll holding a string lights? Like, can those be wrapping around the dolls arms like they'd be holding them? Or is that pushing the limit?

 

@Jessykka lights that are wrapped around or draped on the doll will not be allowed. If the doll is holding something it should be in the hand only.

 

Do horns count as clothing/covering?

 

@suppi Horns will count as part of the doll's body.

 

May I ask about the 600 pixel length photo requirement? I believe all the previous contests had an 800 pixel length requirement, so I'm wondering why the photos have to be smaller this year.

 

@NekoNyanMew I think it was just decided that 600 pixels on the longest side is the optimum size for display on the site.

 

600 was the requirement for several contests last year.
Edit to clarify: That might be why they picked 600 for this contest this time.

 

I was referring to the previous photography contests, which, as far as I can tell, have all previously had an 800 pixel maximum length.

 

I didnt see this asked already. Can we use stands for the doll. Like if you doll is top heavy is it ok to use their stand or would that be part of the rule where nothing can touch the doll? Just wanting to make sure I got my ducks in a row. ^_^

 

@Winged_Maiden Feel free to use a doll stand in your photo.

 

Awesome! Thank you! Didnt want to disqualify myself for being unaware. ^_^

 

Question! Is it okay if the picture is kinda R-18? My doll has 5 different ding dongs or modes and this is the best opportunity to use them lol

 

@Momolicious For this contest everyone should avoid entering a picture which is pornographic, so I wouldn't use any optional parts which are "erect."

 

What extent are we allowed to photoshop/matte paint over? is a sort of green screen to change background allowed? D:

 

I have a question~ Two of my girls have wings, and I'd love to use them, but I'm guessing wings are part of the banned items list for this challenge??

 

@demonunicorn Sure, I will allow the use of a green screen and editing.
@LinkInMyHead That's tough, if the wings do not require a harness to be worn (they attach directly to the body with magnets) I will consider them part of the doll's nude body.

 

Luckily they do attach with magnets! Yeeey haha, thank you I thought it best to ask

 

Hello

Is it okay if I use blur on the background?

What about adjusting shadows and highlights?

Thank you

 

One of my dolls has a big fluffy tail that attaches by magnet. As long as it isn't covering his body would it be allowed?

 

@GreenTeaSlug Yes, those edits are okay.
@DontShoottheDucks Yes, we can consider that part of the body.

 

Are edits like removing a doll stand allowed?

 

What is the best way to make the photo the correct size? I'm not familiar with sizing a photo correctly. My photos are currently on my phone ,but can be put on my computer if there is an easier way to resize them there.
Sorry for the trouble.

 

@Winged_Maiden Pixlr is great for minor editing and resizing ^.^ It allows you to keep proportions when you change the size of the longest size so the picture won't be deformed ^.^ (and as for file size, when you are ready to safe the picture it allows you to pick the file size you want to safe it as ^.^)

 

I saw that editing should be kept to a minimum, but green screen is allowed to change the background, so what about minor embellishments added to the background (stars, fireflies etc) or a more significant one such as bokeh blur or an abstract, so long as large edits are not done to the subject/doll itself? Basically, where is the line drawn for background edits? Or should I just post my entry in a ask the mods thread when I'm done with it?

 

This also made me wonder … Changing the whole background is what I call a major edit. Moreover you'd probably have to edit the foreground to make for the edits to be invisible.