Getting up the nerve for urban photography?

I wouldn't go out in most parts of the city I live in simply because I don't like the atmosphere most of it has, but in general, I would say definitely take someone with you. You are going to be distracted, and also, you are going to be putting down you doll and then moving some distance away from it (unless you solely are doing close-up shots), and I would definitely want someone to be keeping an eye on people in the area while I was focused on my doll and camera in that situation. Plus, it's usually more fun to have someone to talk to, especially if they are into photography and/or BJDs as well.

It all boils down to how safe you feel, and always trust your gut instinct. If somewhere feels unsafe, even if you're not sure why, it's better leave and miss some potential good photos than stay and risk something bad happening to you or your doll.

Edit: Where in LA do you live? If you're close enough to me I'd be happy to go with you

 

I do this all the time and have tons of fun with it. Going to be going to Little Tokyo on Saturday for the Cherry Blossom Festival. The dolls always attract GOOD attention. It's amazing. People love them.

 

Not to get off-topic, but I didn't know about this... will SO try to get there at some point over the weekend.

 

We've got a couple of different threads discussing the difficulties of taking dolls out in public, particularly in suburban or urban areas.
This one's about taking dolls to Malls: http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?359245-Dolls-and-Malls.-Take-um-or-not
This one's about general outdoor photo shoots and the responses from non-doll people: http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?359748-Outdoor-photoshoots-and-non-doll-crowds
This one's about generally going in public with dolls: http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?326023-taking-out-your-dolls
ANd there are several threads like it in the General Discussion Archives: http://www.denofangels.com/forums/s...-public-alone-with-your-doll&highlight=public

I hope you find one of those has some good answers or advice! My best tip for you is not to go out with your dolls by yourself. Have other people with you who understand how much value the doll has to you and will help you if there's some unexpected problem.

 

Akiou: I live, eat and play in Downtown Los Angeles several days and nights of the week. I'd recommend the Arts District which is directly east of Little Tokyo for taking urban photos in alleys alongside brick buildings, graffiti art, and empty parking lots. Lots of photographers take advantage of the urban landscape in this part of the city. I've gone to this area to take photos of dolls alongside graffiti art and found myself competing with several photographers and their human models. The addition of upscale apartments in this area has brought in more security as well, and there are several good cafes hidden here.

When I've gone alone, I usually stay in areas where I feel secure. I usually find more artistic or renovated areas to be safe and accommodating for doll photos. Many downtrodden places in Downtown Los Angeles and Silverlake are experiencing upscale renovations. In addition to the Arts District, try areas near the newly renovated lofts alongside Spring Street from 6th through 9th street near LA Cafe [open 24 hrs. and try their Pesto Chicken Panini Sandwiches. Yum!]. If I find a good setting in a vacant area, I try to park my car right in front of the place where I want to take photos and keep close to my car for security. Ideally, I prefer going with a friend and make doll photography a small part of our time together [in addition to lunch, shopping, or movies later in the day].

I'm not the type of person to take my dolls outside in order to gain negative attention. But I definitely want to work on my photography with my dolls, so I suck it up and go outside. Dark photos inside your apartment will eventually force you to take your dolls outside.

 

I currently live in a really safe place, although most of the locals would probably get all Bible Belt about the dolls (a couple of people who've seen them have been all 'they're possessed' sort of reaction, which is truly disheartening some days). But I've lived in much larger cities and I can tell you part of the problem is going to be time for you to get to know your area. When I was in NYC, there were people back home going 'don't go out, it's filled with thugs', which of course wasn't true at all. I just needed to go out, safely, and figure out my way around a little. Within a few weeks I was way comfortable and knew more about where I was going and what I was doing. At that point I could've taken dolls to certain areas for shoots, and I would've had the chance to scout good locations as well in the process.

Not going alone is essential IMO. I feel bad for you in regard to your sister, as I've totally dragged my sister into collecting as well, so I have a partner in crime. But I've seen tons of LA/CA people posting online, you're lucky in that I bet you'll be able to get to know some people who a) collect dolls or b) are willing to spot you during a photo shoot. I have a friend who's not interested in doll-collecting, but is interested in photography and thinks this is an original way to get subjects. This will have the added benefit of getting you out of the apartment and more familiar with your landscape!

.hlp

 

Cities aren't bad places, every city has their good and bad sides as do small towns. I live in Canada's second highest crime rated city right now and everytime i mention it's name to outsiders people fear and shake their heads. But honestly I totally agree with the post above about getting to know your city better. Every city has good and bad areas, all you gotta do is find the good ones. Asking locals for the "rich" parts of town or the good parts can help, because it's usually calmer in those areas and sometimes they seem deserted because of how quiet they are. It's funny how those rich parts always seem so calm no matter what city your in, from vancouver to calgary to saskatoon and many other places. As long as you don't live in a third world country, I don't think you should be worrying xD. Where i live even the rich parts of town can have backc alleys with grafitti all over them xD

 

Also, you can go in Google Maps and find parks, a lot of them here are pretty sparse, but a few are quite nice... it won't give you quite the urban feel, but it would be a good way to get comfortable photoing in the city with fewer pedestrians.

 

I would also recommend finding out what areas of your city have the best security. I know in my city there is a state university with its own police force and so the areas near the campus tend to be quieter. Also there is a park/shopping area that has it's own special guard unit. Maybe you can find some places like that in your city.

Also I've found that 10 in the morning is a good quiet time of day. Most of the late night creepers are sleeping and the business people are at their jobs.

Still I would want a buddy to go with me. I find that offering to buy lunch or some such is a good motivator to gain help from the non-interested.

 

I've had good luck with around this time as well! I too live in an apartment that gets sketchy light at best and prefer to take my doll outside for pictures. I find it a smidge nicer to go to a friend's house with a yard, but in your situation that might not be possible.

Although, one thing to watch for around 10am is road cleanup crews and city maintainer-types that seem to have a knack for giving uncomfortable looks when you're carrying around a doll. ^^;

 

I'd say take a 'spotter' at least the first time - if you can find someone. Making sure a doll doesnt do a death dive and looking after a camera sounded easy enough until I tried it. My BF isn't a very willing spotter though, so I'm hoping to go to local meets in the city centre and possibly find some outdoor photo ops there.
I take a big shopper bag I can just dump my doll in if I want to move quickly and keep my camera around my neck on a strap. To be honest, it's mostly the weather I'm worried about though. I do often go out and make a spectacle of myself taking odd photos (not just doll photos) and at least where I live people just let me get on with it and don't ask questions.
Good luck!

 

I lived in Pittsburgh for three years, and took my dolls out all the time! Usually, I'd scope out which places seemed safe, and then if there wasn't a friend that was available to come with me in person, I'd "take" a friend out via my cellphone (on hands-free or speakerphone) to chat with while posing my doll. It was really fun!

If you don't mind people possibly thinking you're talking to yourself while posing with your dolls, that is. But most people curious enough to ask did, and then I'd just explain to them about BJD's.

 

I went to school for photography, and this is an issue myself and many of my classmates ran into. Often times someone will have a great idea for an urban photo project, but then get really nerves with the execution of it. So I will give you some of the advise my professors gave on urban photography.

1) Trust your gut instinct. If a place seems kind of shady for some reason, it probably is. Go somewhere else to shot.
2) While you are out, never look nervous or intimidated. People could pick up on that.
3) Even though you will want to be immersed in your shooting, never let your guard done. Be aware of your surroundings, both visual and sound.
4) It never hurts to bring a buddy. If you feel like you will be more comfortable this way, than ask someone to join you. And if you are worried about them getting bored, break up the periods of shooting and do other things in between; go get lunch or check out the local shops.

Good luck and have fun!

 

I've sent the LA people on this list a private message with my mobile phone number. If you're going to the Cherry Blossom Fest in Little Tokyo tomorrow, perhaps I'll see y'all there.

 

I would never recommend that you go somewhere dangerous or that makes you uncomfortable. What I tend to do for my 'urban' photos is either fake them (i.e. go somewhere outdoors but very safe, like a university campus, and find one 'grotty' area of it; for example the canal near my university has some GREAT graffiti) or if I do go into dodgier areas, I make sure I have a good idea of what I want with the photograph and get in and out ASAP.

 

h have never gone alone in the city to take shots...if i`m alone i just feel wierd and can`t really concentrate on the photos , but on who and what surrounds me, so i`ts more comforting to bring a friend for me ^^

 

I'm always nervous before I go out for a photoshoot or just even taking my girl out but I often walk with someone I know (who often have their own doll with them) so i always have someone willing to yell if someone tries something of says something also I dress in lolita so my doll really just disapears in all the frill

also I found that if you look weird then it's less weird to have a doll with you

but I don't take many photos in the city cuz of the simple fact that she likes to scare me by falling everytime I turn around to grab the camera AND I rarely have a reason to take urban photos even tho I feel like it now, hmmm *starts sewing new outfit*

 

I have never done an outdoor doll shoot all by myself, nor would I, for a variety of reasons ranging from the general safety/security concerns to the practical necessity of having a general photo assistant.
It is incredibly useful to have someone with you who can act as a doll stand, or keep an eye on the dolls lest they devise some mischief of their own such as fall on their faces, or hold lights or reflectors for you when you need them to.

When out and about in the urban jungle though, taking photos of your dolls, whether you're alone or in company, the best advice I can give is to be completely at ease doing what you're doing. Make it clear to any observer by your demeanor that you're just going about your normal business, and that this business is nothing in any way remarkable or noteworthy. Chances are they will neither note nor remark upon it.
Being aware of your surroundings is critically important because you never know what might sneak up on you, but don't let your surroundings notice you're being aware of it.

 

Yes definitely! This is a topic I love. I'm up north, here, otherwise I'd come with you. I take my dolls around the city anytime the mood seizes me, but, yes, mostly when I have a friend along. I bring the doll, a carrying-bag, my camera, a friend, a strong back & a silver tongue.

-If you live in a cool building/street, make the most of the immediate property where you live, and are most comfortable... Start local!
In photos, I constantly use my apartment building itself (gnarly old slum, good textures), the alley with the garbage bins (fabulous light), the back garden (feral but green), the stairwell (extreme noir), the roof (half-decent view), and the fire escape (which I like because it's the only way to get an outdoor shot without having to put on pants!).

-Like everyone says, learn to ignore your surroundings. That's also what you bring a friend for, catching questions and making smalltalk with the gawkers so you can work in peace. If your friend is also a doll-person, you repay them later by acting as Muggle-Wrangler for them the next time they want to go on location.... if your friend is not a doll-person, take them out for beer or ice cream.

With one friend's help, I managed to get some entire walking-tours with three large dolls!... Net-friend Aernath sent me two of her dolls as travel-gnomes (she's down in Florida, wanted the boys to see San Francisco) so Muggle-Wrangler Moroni and I took them around my neighborhood, Chinatown, the Transamerica Pyramid, and a gay strip club.
http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?217202
http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?218161

-If you're photographing in a place like the park, a tourist-attraction, or any other point of scenic interest, most folks aren't out to hassle you anyway.... Gawkers who're passing by in a relaxed mood mostly just want to know WTF, and then they move on. So I don't mind answering a couple questions here and there. Depends on how charitable you feel.

-When you do work by yourself, just turn on those ignore-shields full power. Or pretend you don't speak English. Or give a small twitch and start talking to the doll. There are lots of small quiet ways to make people want to leave. If it gets rid of people quicker, lie. Don't worry, you won't go to Hell. "Are you working for a magazine?" "Did you make that doll?" "Are you an art student?" "Yes."

 

no-one really knows about BJD's in Estonia. I'd be a little too afraid to go out into the city alone with a doll tho. I doubt no-one would steal it, I'd be more afraid that some random guy would walk by and kick the doll like it's a football ;_;!! I'd def take a friend with me if I were you :3!