IMPL dolls 64cm Star, 58cm Model and 72cm Idol line Discussion thread Part 4

Well..... I HAVE been playing with my new camera! (I hope you have been adventurous with yours too Grouchy Gnome!) I learnt
If there's a 'pets' setting - use it for dolls - they are like pets!
If there's a VGA (for producing photos to size for emails etc.) use it! I now don't need to resize my gigantic photos, for the first time ever!!! I still need to up the brightness, down the highlights, up the contrast and saturation and warmth - But it's only a cheap camera, so that's to be expected.

So all afternoon I've been setting it to a different combination of pre-set programmes (food, ISO, pet) and different size resolution (A3, A4, VGA) Flash OFF (it's automatic on the pet, ISO or food setting anyway) Taking a bunch of photos of my dolls, uploading them to the computer, tweaking the brightness etc on photoshop elements 5 (I could do it on the camera, but I'm used to using photoshop now) and putting them in my previous forum posts here on DoA, edited next to the last photo I posted - comparing the 2 - making notes - and deleting the worst photo. I have now extracted the best from this camera that I can - If it's not good enough, then tough luck I guess! The hardest thing was steadying myself from camera shake for hours - I have to have both elbows resting on something, half squeeze shutter to focus, hold it, take a deep breath, hold that as well, finish squeezing the shutter button down whilst grimacing, twirling my eyes, biting my lip or whatever it takes LOL - FUN!

Meanwhile, the lovely Richard (impldoll Tony) was happy to model for me

 

Hey everyone! Just thought I'd poke my head in and see what everyone's been up to. I missed you guys.
I was away visiting my family for the long weekend, but it's back to the salt mines tomorrow haha.


EricNiceBerg, welcome to the thread! Your girl is absolutely gorgeous.


Congratulations to those of you who got new cameras! Looks like you've been very busy with yours, elve! I'm enjoying all the photos of Richard. His eyes are really beautiful and you've captured them especially well in this latest photo. They look quite real.

Grouchy Gnome, I see you've got a Nikon. I'm a Nikon girl from way back, so if there's anything you want to know, feel free to shoot me a PM. Reading the owner's manual is an important first step and I'm really glad you're checking that out. I'm looking forward to seeing your photos after the long weekend.


My camera hasn't been idle either. Gabriel got a present from Granny (a.k.a. my Mum) which he is not overly thrilled about, but which I totally love. He's been trying to give them to Élise, but she says it would be rude not to keep a present that was made specifically for him. Meanwhile, Zach and Noé are having a great laugh at his expense. Oh yes...it looks as if the Great Slipper Challenge may be back on. There are a few more photos of Gabriel with his new slippers in my flickr.

A Present From Granny par SapphireStargazer, sur Flickr

 

Hoohoo Hahahahaaaaa!!! (That's Drake laughing at poor Gabriel's new slippers!) He says it's no contest....Gabriel wins hands down! He is appreciating his little froggers a lot more now; even if they are "sappy looking". We miss you and all of your doll family.
Don't tell Zach, but Drakemisses him, and Harley Roadkill the most.

Sapphire Stargazer; So glad to see you here today. That's a fine looking brother Elise has. How is Zach taking it? The new boarder, that is.
Yes, as you've read, Elve and Uminari are trying to talk me through getting started with the new camera.Thank you for the invitation to pm, but at this moment, I wouldn't even begin to know what to ask about. Elve seems to have mastered her new camera, or as she said, "showed it who was boss." Richard looks better with every photo!

Well, off to get some dinner and then fold laundry. How exciting is that?

 

Thanks, Grouchy Gnome. I think I'm going to just stick to this thread and the Marketplace. Let's just say there are too many difficulties elsewhere. This thread is hard to stay away from, though.

As far as cameras go, experimentation is the real key to learning, in my opinion. The beauty of digital photography is that it makes experimentation so much easier. When I first learned to shoot, we were working strictly with film. Experimentation with film was expensive then, and it's even more expensive now. I'm personally not a fan of shooting presets mostly because I don't like my camera telling me what to do, but when someone is first starting out (or if they have a bridge camera) some of the presets can be quite useful. If you've got a Nikon Coolpix, it probably has a preset manual white balance - most Nikon cameras do - and that will absolutely be your friend, especially in indoor lighting conditions. Also, I'd highly recommend Lightroom 5 as a post-processing / editing tool. It's really awesome.


Gabriel is sulking because he thinks everyone is laughing at his slippers. Actually, I think he's really sulking because he tried to give his slippers away and Élise scolded him for it. He says she's being unfair and that she's complicit in a plan to embarrass him. He and Élise are currently in opposite corners of my home office, refusing to speak to each other. Zach, meanwhile, isn't sure what to make of Noé. Gabriel and Noé aren't best friends, but Zach isn't convinced that means Noé is going to be his ally. The household dynamic has changed quite a lot since Noé arrived. Zach says to tell Drake that the internet hasn't seen the last of him, or Harley Roadkill for that matter. He's looking forward to being able to introduce Drake to Aubrey (Tony) later this summer and predicts there will be much more chaos excitement when Aubrey gets here. He insists one can never have too many long-distance partners in crime buddies.

 

yaaaay glad to see you back SapphireStargazer - with another character-full pic of Gabriel and his looooovely new slipper-socks! No really - I'd wear them! But I'm a middle aged woman *snorts* I'm sure they will look sexy on Gabriel though - anything would (tell him I said that - he'll have them on instantly!)

thank you Grouchy Gnome and PLEASE - have a look through all the menus on your camera (charge it up first!) Then just take about 50 photos, using various combinations of the programmed settings, and various lighting conditions - experiment and see which works best for dolly photos (as that's what I want to see most) Like SapphireStargazer says, it costs nothing at all to experiment with photography these days, unlike in the 'olden days' when film processing cost a fortune - so RELAX, and enjoy your new toy - PLAY with it! My photo below is rubbish, but you get the drift of what my dolls look like - I guess I need a different camera setting for more distant shots? Hey ho.....

Meanwhile Richard wants to play Yes he has a girlfriend at last! In truth they have been chatting for days, ever since I strung Elodie's arms back on LOL (not that she needed them to chat, but she's more attractive with them!) I also gave her a restyle and she has morphed from a doll I was selling, into a doll I wouldn't part with! Never ceases to amaze me the power of a different set of eyes and a new wig..... So I sat her next to Richard, stark naked, while I tried to figure out who she is now, and what she wears. Then I ran out of patience and slung some old clothes on her, just so I could take a photo of the young lovers - Still in its early stages - Richard is a very reserved, respectful kind of guy, and new to all this, believe it or not. Before I put them together properly, I had a little talk with him - I said 'Richard, please don't tell me you're gay - I know all the good looking guys are, but she really fancies you!' And really who wouldn't? Elodie's very chatty, and he's very quiet - they make a good couple as he's a very tolerant and responsive listener - always important in a partner - He may just be tuning her out and thinking of motorbikes, who knows - but he hasn't been rumbled yet if so

Elodie is a dollzone Stramonium, on the 62cm body - I think she's a good size for him, as he's a hunk and she's obviously a petite Oriental type, so the size difference looks fine to me.

 

Uminari, I have a pair of knitted socks just like Gabriel's. My mum made his socks from the wool that was left over after she made mine. I personally love wool socks and my mum always chooses nice colours too. Rainbow variegated FTW!


elve, that is an adorable photo! Richard does look very shy. I think it's sweet that he sits there and listens patiently to Elodie's chatter, and even if he is occasionally tuning her out and thinking of motorbikes, he's obviously giving a good impression of listening when his mind is elsewhere. Gabriel and Élise send congratulations to the new couple.

If you're within 28 inches of your subject, you should just be able to use the 'general photo-taking' or 'portrait' preset on your camera. Has it got autofocus? Usually, cameras with presets can pick up faces with autofocus. For subjects that are further away than 28 inches, if you're using presets on your camera, you may want to try the 'scenic' or 'landscape' preset for subjects that are further away from you. I don't know what that looks like on your camera, but most scenic presets have an icon that looks like a mountain. The scenic preset will give you a larger depth of field and will make your camera default to a smaller aperture setting. The obvious problem with the scenic preset is that the smaller aperture requires more light. Sometimes this results in darker photos, and sometimes it forces the camera to use a longer shutter speed. Longer shutter speed might cause some ghosting or blurring if you're not using a tripod.

Gabriel is unconvinced that his slipper socks are sexy although he is currently wearing them, mostly because Élise talked him into it and he has difficulty saying no to her. (Élise says she agrees with you. She thinks Gabriel looks sexy in anything he wears).

 

thank you SapphireStargazer I'll have a look on my camera settings for better icons when photographing my loved up couple from a respectful distance (it is SO tempting to eavesdrop on their conversation....or rather Elodie's chatter!) As you can see with that photo, Richard's head has been stretched out taller - it's like a fish-eye lens at times!

 

well I set the picture size bigger than VGA, so I could get a really big picture, and crop it to just get them in the middle - And I used night photography mode so no flash - I had to steady my arms on the back of a chair as I don't have a tripod. Grouchy Gnome give it a go! I've spent ages this evening taking identical photos with different presets on my camera, to see the difference. I think I should stick to daylight though! But then it overexposes everything I discovered an exposure adjustment thing though - yay! I'll try that tomorrow....

 

I'm enjoying all the photo spam on the thread. I just popped in to say - finally my Tony head is on shipping No body, but I'll see how I feel when the head arrives. He'll let me know what plans I need to make for him I'm sure

 

oooh you'll love him Ishtar - I can't wait to see another Tony!

 

Great photo, elve! Richard and Elodie are so cute together She looks like she's making a very important point there. Hopefully, Richard is still listening.
Shooting without flash is always better than shooting with flash. our camera should have a setting to disable the flash on almost all of your presets (most cameras have this). That way, if you're shooting in one of the other preset modes you can still shoot without flash even if flash is the 'default' setting.


Congrats on getting your shipping notice, Ishtar! I can't wait to see your Tony. hehe there can never be too many Tonys around here, in my opinion.


Here's my spam contribution for the day. Gabriel is getting ready for DollNorth and is trying to pick out the perfect outfit. Élise is a little upset that she can't come along with us, but at least she'll have her brother here to keep her company while Gabriel is away.
lol I'd share the photos of Gabriel that I actually shot today, but they are NSFW. He kind of invaded Élise's photo shoot (which she really didn't seem to mind at all) and the situation evolved into something else after that.


Gabriel Plays At Being Shy par SapphireStargazer, sur Flickr

 

ALLRIGHT! ALLRIGHT! I KNOW WHEN I'M LICKED!
Tomorrow, I will start shooting pictures of all my Star Line Impldolls and Impl hybrids, who are mainly just sitting around in my office/computer room/library in various stages of nudity, (they have no clothes to call their own), being bitter and obnoxious because of not having any clothes. Only three are fully dressed. Two have underpants. But one of those is an OT hybrid. Two more are DZ hybrids, also OT for this thread, and only Perry has a head, a wig , and a purple shirt; the other is nakey & headless. (His head is one of the face ups I didn't finish from last year!) Leo has underpants and a ball cap. See what a baaaaad dahlimama I am!
Miguel, my Demon Hunter, has a partial face up, eyes, (really weird ones!) and a nice resin sword that he nabbed out of a DZ box. But he remains unpainted and without a new name. All this background just lets you know how much stuff needs to be done............and ain't getting done! How can I take the time to learn my new camera?
Maybe I can dig up a few odd pieces of clothing before I start snapping the camera.........
Did anybody ever figure out if Impldoll Miguel is a Demon who hunts? or a Demon who hunts other Demons? He sure isn't Human. Do you think he hunts ......humans?! GAAAAH!

OOps! I just saw the photoshoot Sapphire! Holey Moley, that's steaming up the place! Havefun at the convention! (p.s. I LOVE that new Monique wig on Elise!)
ELVE: Richard and Elodie make a sweet couple! They look great together. Plus your pictures are really getting good! (Don't expect much out of me, but I'll try.)

 

thank you SapphireStargazer Wow Gabriel looks good in a formal shirt and tie! Awww and I think that 2nd pic of them enjoying a tender kiss is very romantic - totally safe for work - they are decently dressed! Elise's wig is gorgeous too - I doubt there will be any romantic action between my 2 lovers any time soon though - Elodie is too busy telling Richard EVERYTHING - her past, her future, her plans, why she wants wallpaper instead of paint in her dream home, etc. *yawn* Richard is a star for listening patiently! Obviously thinks he will get his reward in the end

GrouchyGnome I look forward to your pics! .....No pressure though When I first got bjd I intended sewing EVERYTHING for them - haha - So my early pics of them consisted of portrait shots only, wearing baby teeshirts to cover their lady bits! Or a square of cloth with a hole cut in the centre for their head to fit though - tied at the waist! In the end I caved and bought 'just one' blouse from Alices Collections - the beginning of a serious habit

SapphireStargazer the other thing which baffles me with this USELESS camera of mine (sony cybershot DSC W710) is there is NO flash off setting! No macro, a lens which distorts round the edges, and flash is only turned off if you choose 'night shot' or 'food/pet' photography (ie: close up) So really a great camera for general use in good light, family photos, holiday snaps etc. but useless for anything artistic. It was cheap for a reason! And I can't afford another one....got more dolls to buy LOL (priorities priorities!)

ETA - just seen this in the newsroom! http://www.denofangels.com/forums/s...uot-SHOW-ROOM-quot-Opening-Celebration-Event! 5% discount off Freedom Teller (which fits idol boys!) Oh and look at their cute new shop - Can you imagine all those racks of tiny doll clothes waiting to be rummaged through?

 

Grouchy Gnome, I'm looking forward to seeing the Star dolls especially, but also waiting patiently to see Lieve and Thorne. Don't let that camera get the better of you! My general rule of thumb for photography is "The photographer is always smarter than the camera." This can be applied to just about any technology, I think.

LOL our photo shoot over here yesterday started out as just an opportunity to show off Élise's new wig, but then Gabriel showed up and wanted to know what we were doing. Of course he decided he should get to participate somehow and told me that he could be a 'wardrobe inspector' which, in the end, seemed to consist mainly of him making naughty and suggestive comments about Élise's outfit. Yes, believe it or not, Dollmore refers to the ensemble Élise is wearing in those photos as an 'outfit'. In fact, it's her default outfit. She says it hardly qualifies as an outfit in her opinion, although Gabriel approves highly of it. (Gabriel says it definitely passes the quality control test in his professional opinion as a wardrobe inspector.) The poor girl has an overabundance of intimate apparel -- I even received some additional lacy underthings for her as a free gift from Dollmore -- and nothing much to speak of in the way of everyday clothing. She says she has a great deal of empathy for the resin folks at your house who have no clothes.

I'm not sure what sort of demon hunter Miguel is supposed to be, although my best guess is that he's a demon who hunts...something. Zach says he hopes Miguel isn't a demon who hunts other demons. Zach is rather fond of demons, or at least of one demon in particular. I'm particularly interested to see owner photos of Miguel, especially without a full faceup. In the company photos, the sculpting looks really awesome but sometimes it's hard to get a good sense of it when it's already got a faceup.


Thanks elve! I'm happy you like the photos. Some people might find them a little risqué, so I decided it'd be more prudent just to post the links.
That's really annoying about the flash settings on your camera. The little point-and-shoot that I have is an incredible annoyance to me as well, so I think I can understand your frustration to some degree. I really dislike p&s cameras, generally speaking, simply because they seem to assume the person using them is incapable of understanding how a camera actually works. I really hate it when my camera tries to tell me what to do.
Gabriel wants to give Richard a huge thumbs-up for sitting through all Elodie's chatter about everything past present and future, and especially for being a good sport while Elodie discusses wallpaper. Gabriel doesn't have such issues with Élise as she's a quiet person. She does seem rather preoccupied with her plans for decorating a hypothetical nursery at the moment, but Gabriel is genuinely interested in that, so he doesn't mind listening to her talk about it.
Also...yay for Freedom Teller having a sale! I saw that in the newsroom too. Gabriel has quite a few things from Freedom Teller, which I totally love because of the excellent quality. I've found the best fit for the Idol boys is EID superhero trousers and EID Model shirts. Superhero shirts are larger in the upper chest and can look baggy. I may have to go shopping in the SD17 section for my new OT boy, and Gabriel has spotted something that he wants me to get for Élise from the SD16 section.

 

Grouchy Gnome: You have a Miguel? Ahhh, so jealous. I loved that sculpt from the first time I saw him but I had zero discretionary funds at the time *wistful sigh*. Of course, not having one hasn't stopped me from having written a novella with a character based on the look of the Miguel sculpt. His partner is the equally impossible to get Unidoll Ark. One of the people in my local doll group has (had?) an Ark and I stole him for about an hour during a meet (with the owner's permission, of course) where I just played with him and marvelled at his frowny handsomeness.

 

difficult decision Uminari - maybe buy one figurine, a smaller amount of cosplay fabric, and something cheaper for Malik? Oooh I remember on iplehouse web there is a 'man basic set' which looks quite smart

thanks SapphireStargazer oooh dear - nursery talk can only mean one thing - it's SERIOUS! I can imagine the kind of thing which Gabriel has chosen for Elise from FreedomTeller too LOL

meanwhile Richard's clothes from m3bjd came in!!! I am thrilled with them - exactly what I wanted for him and, yes the pants are tight sitting down, but his shirt hides the fact that they are undone! Really love this shirt - it's perfect! Apart from the fact I should have ironed that big crease out of it first Richard did ask me to, but I just laughed of course - not a chance - I don't do ironing!

Well the great thing about Richard and Elodie's budding relationship is it has forced me to do more than take just a photo of my doll sitting in its new clothes - as usual! With Richard all dressed up at long last, they simply HAD to go on their first date today - And Richard discovered the perfect way to shut Elodie up - Take her somewhere the music is too loud to talk, and let her loose on the dancefloor! Well they had a great time Richard is not much of a dancer, but he tried bless him And for your information Grouchy Gnome - I took over 50 photos, with different settings of size, program, exposure - to get just 4 useable shots (which I had to edit in photoshop too) But it was FUN - so don't be afraid of your camera - tame that beast!

 

hmm...tough choice, Uminari! I think elve has a good idea, though. I understand what you mean about spending that extra money on doll stuff. I just sold a doll in April and promptly spent the money from that sale on another doll.


oh elve that photo is FABULOUS! They look like they're having such a good time. haha I love Elodie's moves. Richard looks awesome in his M3 clothes, and I must say that shirt really suits him.

The lighting and exposure of the photo looks great and is perfect for the mood and setting. Taking 50 photos and getting 4 or 5 useable shots isn't unusual in the beginning. Once you get comfortable with your camera and become more familiar with some basic principles of photography (shutter speed, aperture, focal length, how cameras react to various types of light, etc.) you may find that you'll get more useable photos from fewer shots.

LOL sometimes you only get one shot, like this one. It was so windy yesterday evening that I really shouldn't have taken the dolls outside at all. It was a challenge just to get them to stand up for more than a few seconds, but the light was perfect last night for what I had in mind. Gabriel and Élise were literally falling toward me just as I pressed the shutter button on this one, so I didn't get a second chance. Luckily they were clinging to each other so I was able to catch them both with one arm and didn't have to let go of my camera, which was good because I stupidly forgot to put my camera strap back on. So, the composition is almost totally accidental, but sometimes a person gets lucky.


They were out in the garden at sunset, saying farewell before Gabriel goes off with me on our latest adventure. Élise is upset that she can't come too. Gabriel assured her that he'll be back soon enough. He promised that he'd bring home a surprise present for her, but she's not much concerned with surprises at the moment. She just wants him to be safe and come back to her quickly.

"Return To Me" par SapphireStargazer, sur Flickr

 

Thank you SapphireStargazer awwww that's such a sweet photo- as they say 'parting is such sweet sorrow' Catching 2 falling dolls sounds pretty hair-raising though - I don't think I'm brave enough to take mine outside just yet!

I must say I am not a very romantic person these days (just bitter and cynical!) But it is so cute having a loved up couple of dolls - it really makes me happy to see them looking happy Needless to say, they had a great time on their first date, and feel much closer now - I'm not sure what they're discussing but I think they've moved on from Elodie's opinion of wallpaper!

 

thanks elve! I'm either brave or crazy, because I take my dolls everywhere for photo opportunities. I've earned a bit of a reputation for stupidly risky doll photos, especially with my smaller dolls. I'll admit that it was scary yesterday evening when I had them facing the other way and they started to fall away from me and I was worried I would not catch them. The furthest height I've ever had a doll actually fall from was about 2 meters, when I was photographing Tyler on my parents' garden fountain. Needless to say, I'm far more reluctant to take the bigger dolls outside to play, simply because their height makes them less stable and more likely to fall over. It seems very true that 'the bigger they are, the harder they fall' and I really don't want anyone to break anything.

At heart I'm a total romantic, although real life has not played out that way for me. It really is fun to have dolly couples around the house, and I also enjoy seeing other people's dolly couples as well. Richard and Elodie do indeed look much closer after their date, and I suspect wallpaper is the furthest thing from their minds at the moment. Perhaps Richard will get a chance to tell Elodie something about himself now?
Unlike Elodie, Élise has not given up her musings about wallpaper. She thinks something pink might be appropriate. Incidentally, someone commented on one of my photos from the other day that I'd better be careful "not fo let them fill up the house with Yo-SDs"

 

Good Morning Everyone! Gaaahhh, it's way too early for me, but I have to make a run through the shower, wash my hair, and get to a doctor's appointment this a.m. So, I don't have much time for posting right now. I'll make this quick.

IRON_ DOG; Yes, I have a Miguel. I have tried to rename him, but as yet, nothing has stuck. He came with all of the spikey parts and a human bunch of parts as well, so right now he is sitting in a chair, stolen sword across one knee, in his human body, except for chest and gnarly left arm. At least that way he can wear pants, tall boots, and some kind of one armed shirt or vest. (AND, I can leave all the other parts in his storage box to paint at some time far into the future.) We must have similar tastes in fantasy creatures. I have tried more than once to acquire that OT Ark, that most elusive scowley-boy; but when opportunity arose, cash didn't.

ELVE; Richard and Elodie dancing?! Great! And Richard got his clothes! I haven't heard a peep from M3 as yet! Ratz! But I love the photo of them together. I am also jealous.

UMINARI; Freedom Teller has a sale! You know you want Malik to have a really sharp suit! When does FT ever have a sale?! I know what I'd do. GO FOR IT!

Sapphire Stargazer; Elise is definitely nesting! 'Wardrobe Inspecter', eh? Is that what they're calling it these days? You and Gabriel have fun at the convention. But not too much fun. Keep your eye on Mr. Beauvoir, as I'm sure there will be many lovely lady dolls there who will be vying for his attention. That is probably why Elise is disturbed because she isn't going with you this time. She won't be there to protect her Gabriel from all the brazen hussies that will be there, and let's face it, he may be in love with Elise,.....but he's still a MAN!


Yeeps! Look at the time! I have to go! NOW! Later............

 

Grouchy Gnome: That is funny that we both lust after the same hard to find boys *laughs*. Unfortunately for me, if there was a Miguel available he'd need to be GS and have all his fantasy parts or it's not happening as his character is GS and very not human. The Ark doll has to be WS (again, it's a character thing) and I think I'd even cop to just the head even though I'm soooo picky about resin matching. I'd almost ordered the Ark head when Unidoll announced they were discontinuing Ark but I'm sort of glad I didn't as less than 2 months after that they just closed their doors and that was that.

I have 2 scowling dolls at home that are OT for this thread and one of them is actually OT for DoA. But I adore their scowls and I'm tickled silly to have them (both out of the blue finds) as they are grandfather/grandson.

 

Uminari, I didn't see anything about a sale when I looked either. It seems the sale is only for the physical storefront, and customers ordering from the website get 5% more store points.

Grouchy Gnome, we will certainly do our best to have fun; that is the goal! And I definitely will be keeping an eye on Gabriel. He really does love to be noticed and it wouldn't be a great stretch of the imagination to assume that he'll flirt with any resin ladies who try to attract his attention. As far as he's concerned it's all a bit of innocent fun - his heart has been well and truly given, and no amount of flirting is going to change that - but I doubt Élise would appreciate his flirting with strangers. Tyler is coming with us too, so he can help me keep Gabriel in line.
I think 'nesting' is a very good word for what Élise is doing, which is probably another reason she doesn't want Gabriel to leave.. Gabriel seems a little perplexed by her preoccupation with decorating, but he's perfectly content to go along with it. He says that while we're in Toroto, he's going to be searching for something for this hypothetical baby's room and he really hopes Élise will be pleased.

 

I have the feeling there will be a small avalanche of tinies at your place soon SapphireStargazer - Elise knows what she wants and seems to be good at getting it LOL

Meanwhile - more spam of my lovely big man

 

lol elve! There may not be an avalanche of them, but I suspect there'll be one or two making an appearance here in the not-to-distant future. Gabriel would be thrilled beyond words over that as well. It's just that he's a little slow to catch on to all the subtle messages Élise is sending him.
Richard's shirt is awesome! hehe Gabriel's reaction to it wasn't much different than the reaction of Uminari's Malik, but Zach says he approves of Richard's style even if the other guys don't.

 

I know most men would not want pink flowers on their shirt Uminari It's amazing that I've found the perfect shirt for Richard's personality though - and it's a perfect match to their light grey jeans! I'm mainly pleased I've found Richard's perfect outfit for less than £20 too - I guess he will want a sweater in Winter, and some shoes, but finally he is dressed - yaaay!

ETA - thanks SapphireStargazer - I'm glad Zach likes Richard's shirt - My son approved of it too (in fact he was surprised at my choice!)

 

UMINARI; Oh poo! Sorry, I thought FT had a sale at their online store!
If that's the case, then by all means.....Go buy your fabric!

SAPHIRE; I'm glad you like my word, nesting, I think my Grandma used to say that when someone was (pregnant.)
We didn't say that word. Men can be SO dense at times. My husband, unlike most men, wanted a girl. After producing two sons, I finally gave birth to a girl. Conditioned as he was, from the two previous trips to the hospital, my husband stood in front of the nursery window smiling sappily at the baby designated as ours, all dressed in a pink gown and a pink blanket, with a little pink cap on, and turned to me and asked, "Honey, what are we going to name him?" Men.....no clue!
Well, I can understand Gabriel and Malik not liking Richard's shirt, they're rather exclusive in their tastes, and it's a sure bet that if Zach likes it, Drakeprobably would too. Sylvie, (no new name yet) says that all of Drake's taste is in his mouth, and that he thinks "dressing for dinner" means coming to the table in more than his undershirt and briefs.

ELVE; Don't let Richard be upset by comments about his shirt. What's important is that you are happy with it, and he is happy with it, and most important of all, Elodie is happy with the way it looks on him.

Last but not least; I think I'll go ask The Boys Trystin and Narcissis, if I can bug them for a while this evening, to practice taking photos. (At least they have clothes.)

 

Guess where we are? I'm headed off to see the Hockey Hall of Fame today, do some shopping downtown, and generally seek adventure. Gabriel and Tyler are going to hang out at the hotel today.Tyler isn't much of a shopper, and Gabriel has graciously offered to keep him company and explore the hotel. hey seem to have put aside their differences for the time being. Tonight, the convention starts!

elve, I think Richard shirt is great! it is probably true that not many guys would want a pink flowered shirt, but then again, not many guys could pull off that look either. ironically enough, I have no difficulty picturing Aubrey (the character my future Tony will be representing) wearing a shirt like that, but he would probably wear it open to the navel, with a big flashy necklace on display on his impressive chest.


Grouchy Gnome that story about your husband and your daughter is so funny and cute! I laughed when I read that because I know a few guys who would probably behave in a similar way! I think there are some dads who are extremely in touch though. My brother is one. He is actually a more involved parent than my sister in law. My ex, on the other hand, would have been one of the dense ones. LOL I have no difficulty picturing Gabriel as one of those happily clueless dads who is so proud of his new baby and yet has absolutely no idea what to do with him or her.

 

Thanks Elve I'm looking forward to welcoming Tony home. Hopefully won't be too long but have you all seen this? ................


http://bjdcollectasy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/War02.jpg

oh my word, talk about exciting!

 

cute story Grouchy Gnome - bless him!

have fun SapphireStargazer - sounds like a real adventure compared to my life with Richard - Although I think Elodie has spiced things up for him a bit

wow Ishtar that sounds very exciting - and expensive!

 

The new head looks interesting though I am not sure about the creature (is it some sort of lizard?) on his head, may be hard to cover with a wig, will have to see.

 

I think the lizard hair mohawk is suppose to be the hair instead of the wig. XD I think all else fails you can sand it off so you can put on a wig. They may have a non wig version.

 

Oh well another male sculpt?How boering i hoped for good for a decent female sculpt, since those that are aorund are plain or tomboy look....

 

I found the new project seems interesting even if i'm not fond with the head sculpt that reminds me too much Iple easthetic, but i agree with $avage at this point..i hoped for new Idol female sculpts and instead IMPLdoll now is making new starline body and sculpts, guess that i will wait next year to see some more feminine and interesting idol female sculpts.

 

Hm, don't know what to think of that head. I think I still prefer Mzzen with his quiet, but strong face. He is more versatile, and if I need him to appear more dragonlike, I can still add Apoxie to some parts, or try to get a pair of Galena talons...anyways, I am crying about that a little bit, because someone in Sweden offers a pair in grey skin right now a a favourable price. But absolutely no money for such "little things". Oh well, maybe nobody wants them and they sit a bit longer. With a bit of modding, they may go nicely with a grey skin Mzzen.

 

I'm sorry for you dear, i feel you when you're out of money is always sad let go good deals...

 

Thanks so much, but that's okay. I really have to slow down, there are so many items on my list I want to buy (I am always happy if I find something I can use already made, as these big guys are generally not easy to find clothes or items for, even less if you have very specific wishes).

 

Hi all!
I'm glad to see so many wonderful Impl dolls here!

Yesterday I repainted my Model doll Dennis. This make-up is not perfect, but I like it at this moment.

He has two scars on his eyebrow because of some defects on his head...

 

Uminari, thank you very much for such kind words !

 

Love so much your doll dear, welcome in this thread!

I get your point, it's the same for me, i wished since long an IdolMale doll but clothes and my specific taste in style in matters of clothes still keep me thinking and re-thinking about it.

 

Yauheniya love so much your boy you, his face works very well for him

 

Hey guys! I'm back from AnimeNorth! It was loads of fun!

That is great news about your Angelesque order Uminari! It will be really nice to see Malik and Altair both together with their own body soon.

Your Dennis looks totally awesome, Yauheniya! The scars are working for him, in my opinion. Not every doll has to be 'perfect'. He is really wonderful.


So...Gabriel got up to some mischief while we were in Toronto. There are parts of the trip he doesn't quite remember (and some that he wishes he was unable to remember). He's been skulking around downstairs since we arrived home last night. Élise isn't very impressed with him at the moment, and I suspect she's going to be even less impressed when she sees the 'present' he found for her in Toronto.

This photography set, and two other smaller ones, were available for attendees to use at the con. I really wish I'd brought my good camera along so that I wouldn't have been so frustrated while trying to take pictures. Next year's plan is to bring the good camera, no matter how much extra weight it creates in my bag. Anyway, I did the best I could with the camera I had.

Here's Gabriel making friends at the bar.

Making Friends par SapphireStargazer, sur Flickr

 

SapphireStargazer; So glad you had a good time, and that you're back! What kind of trouble did gabriel get himself into? It doesn't look like he was drinking. Did somebody slip a "mickey"into his bowl of noodles and...? Or was there more alcoholic delights later in the evening? Fess up Gabriel. Inquiring minds want to know! Why is Elise going to be upset with him? What kind of 'present' did he get her for pete's sake? Did Tyler have a good time? I'll bet Zach would have had a blast at that convention! Maybe Gabriel was channelling Zach, and didn't realize it?

I had an unsettling holiday weekend. Thursday night, a dear friend of mine here in town, was rushed to the hospital by ambulance, and into emergency surgery with a ruptured appendix. She had called me earlier Thursday afternoon and asked me which side your appendix was on: right or left? I told her that I couldn't remember, and since she was in pain, to call her doctor, the Nurse Hotline, or somebody who knew, right away. Most of the weekend was taken up with calling mutual friends to let them know. Her daughter calling with updates, and then calling her hospital room once she was out of intensive care. Needless to say I didn't get much done at home. I took 4 terrible photos, that I immediately trashed, once viewed. But.....I did get silicone eyes in, and lashes on, Thorne's head, and Sylvie Anne's head, and the heads back on the bodies! I also got a shipping notice from M3 Studio, so Thorne will have something of his very own to wear shortly!
I do not intend to discuss the 4 photos. I intend to go back to the owner's manual and study.....HARD. I'll try again after a few days of studying the book. I took better pictures before! I think I'm just letting myself get all stressed out over it.

Yauheniya;I love your Dennis' bright hair. He reminds me of an Irish lad,with all those cute freckles.

Uminari; glad to hear Altair's body is finally on the way! But it sounds like you are getting wound up worrying about all the little things that could go wrong. Relax, it will all work out fine, and he will be gorgeous.

 

I'm sorry to hear about your friend, Grouchy Gnome! Is she going to make a good recovery, do you think? Let me offer some get-well wishes for her, all the way from Canada...and some 'keep calm' wishes for you. *hugs*
I wouldn't worry too much about studying the manual for your camera. Read it once or twice and then stick it in a drawer for later reference if needed. Experimentation is the best way to learn photography, once you've got the basic workings of your camera figured out. Also, unsatisfactory photos aren't uncommon at the beginning. In fact, sometimes a total lemon of a photo shoot will happen even for people with experience. (My trip to Toronto...perfect case-in-point). Just plunge in and have fun with it; that's my advice.
It's great that you were able to get some eyes and eyelashes in, and YAY for Thorne's clothes shipping at last! I can hardly wait to see him all dressed and looking awesome.

As for Gabriel, I have a feeling he's going to be sleeping on the sofa for a while, or maybe in his carrier. After the noodles, there was indeed liquid entertainment and much chatting with strangers at the bar...and he might've gone back to the hotel with somebody (although he can't clearly remember that part). He may very well have been channelling Zach, because his escapades were more like the sort of thing Zach would get up to. The present he got for Élise is definitely not something for a baby's room or really anything to do with babies at all. Sadol was at the doll market with a large display of clothes, shoes, accessories and dolls, and Gabriel picked out this outfit for Élise. He also met this young lady who he says wanted to come home with him. Apparently, she said she'd be perfectly happy to share his carrier on the flight home.
Élise does look super cute in her outfit, but she is very unimpressed with Gabriel right now.


What Happens In Toronto Stays In Toronto par SapphireStargazer, sur Flickr

 

Yauheniya - I love your boy! I realise I have no redheads in my collection now - a grave oversight

wow this thread had slipped to page 2 of my 'recent posts' list Another grave oversight! Glad you and Gabriel had fun in Toronto SapphireStargazer that photo is priceless - oh Gabriel you are no angel at all! *tuts* Poor Elise - she needs to tame that man before he runs totally wild! LOVE that outfit you/he bought her though - so pretty Also love the lady who offered to share Gabriel's carrier home - she's stunning! Elise would have been totally stunned I'm sure

Grouchy Gnome I hope your poor friend makes a good recovery - scary stuff I also agree with SapphireStargazer that you should ditch the camera manual and EXPERIMENT - it's the only way - although I experiment, get a good shot, then can't remember what settings I changed for that shot LOL - so it's best to take notes as you go! I took nearly 60 photos this afternoon, 40 of them virtually the same! I am getting better at avoiding camera shake though - really you get better the more you do it - and it costs nothing to make mistakes with digital 'film'

So here's another picture of 'my big man' as I call him

 

ELVE; Thank you and Sapphire both for the good wishes for my friend. She is home now, and doing much better. She couldn't go shopping, so I asked her what she wanted most. She said peach yogurt for herself and some canned food for her very elderly kitty, which I quickly provided. I visited with her for a short time when I took her grocery items to her, but not long enough to tire her, I hope.
Thorne's clothes have shipped! He will soon make his debut. He says to tell Richard hello for him.

Sapphire; That was SOME outfit Gabriel picked out for Elise!!! (Those lady dolls are something else as well!) Drake was passing by when I clicked the link, and he stopped dead in his tracks, to stare at the computer screen. I thought his eyeballs would fall out of his head.Finally, he walked off shaking his head and grinning, mumbling something I couldn't quite hear.

 

elve, that's a great shot. I like the effect of high-angle portraits, especially with dolls. It's as if Richard is looking up at you in this one, and it's especially effective with the way you've got his head posed in that upward-tilting way. For portrait work, I prefer to have them looking slightly downward and then shoot from either a level or slightly high or low angle, just like I would with a live person; but for full-body shots, high angle is really great. I must say, your photography is coming along nicely! A faster shutter speed (if your camera can do it) will help eliminate the 'ghosting' effect of camera shake. More ambient light will help too, as will the use of a tripod.

haha... Gabriel is becoming less angelic and more of a 'proper mortal' all the time, and it really doesn't help that he's so easily led astray. I'm glad you like Élise's outfit. The minute I saw it, I was like, "Yes! This one!" :: ...and then I checked to see if it was her size. Fortunately, it was. Now, I just need to take some pictures of her wearing it.



It's good to hear that your friend is on the mend Grouchy Gnome. What a scary experience for everyone, though it's very fortunate that all seems to be working out well for your friend. Peach yogurt sounds like a good comfort food.

Around here, much comfort food is being consumed as well, mostly by Élise who seems to want peanut butter and jam sandwiches and excessive quantities of chocolate ice cream. Turns out that your warning about all the brazen hussies that'd likely be hanging around in Toronto was very prophetic. hehehe talk about your brazen hussies... that fine resin lady from Sadol was standing there on a table in nothing but her underwear and a flame-red wig, and she was seriously giving Gabriel this 'come hither' stare. I think he kind of wanted her to come home with us. When I asked him where he thought she was going to sleep, he had a kind of vacant expression on his face and said, "Well...she could sleep in my room...?" Can we say 'wrong answer'? So, Élise has banished him to his carrier at night until further notice. She's really quite upset and is in a state which Zach has unhelpfully referred to as 'emotionally fragile'. Zach has offered to console her, of course. I have the feeling that no one is going to get anywhere near her for a while, though, especially with her twin brother around to protect her.

Yay...I'm looking forward to Thorne's debut!

 

Elise has a twin brother? Well good! The poor girl needs SOMEONE to protect her from those 'predatory' impl. idols As for my camera, well strangely I am enjoying having a rubbish camera now - I like a challenge, and getting a half-decent photo from that useless piece of junk is certainly a challenge!

glad your friend is doing OK Grouchy Gnome

 

elve, this guy is Élise's brother; He's a Dollmore Model M Kyle Reese, and his name is Noé. He says he wouldn't mind sharing a carrier with that Sadol girl, but that he does not approve of the idea of Gabriel doing so. He disapproves of Gabriel generally, just on principle.
Sometimes I enjoy the challenge of my rubbish Kodak p&s but mostly I dislike it because I can't make it do what I think it should be able to do. My little camera also has a small image sensor, so it's just about useless in anything but brilliant daylight. I have to say I admire your tenacity in persisting with yours.

 

I took 9 more photos today. ALL OF THEM WERE HORRID!!!
I think I'll just go to bed for a week......... I took all 9 of those bas***ds with my Olympus, BEcause, the 2 software discs which I need to install on my computer, in order to upload images from my new NIKON camera, to my computer, may not be compatible (if I'm reading this correctly) with my "Old" MAC 10.4.11 operating system. ? !! I have to check with the Nikon website to find out for sure!
Yep, going to bed ......for at least a week! AND, the store where I bought this NIKON has gone out of business, as of my drive-by yesterday.

 

Oh noes! Grouchy Gnome, does your computer have an SD card reader? if it does, ditch the Nikon software and get GIMP or Lightroom 5 or some other editor, and just transfer the photos from your card or camera straight to your computer. The Nikon 'uploading' software is useless anyway. Take it from a hardcore Nikon addict...there are better ways to deal with uploading from your Nikon than using Nikon's proprietary software. Even if you're connecting your computer and camera via a cable, you can still do it without the Nikon software. I work on a PC but I can't imagine Apple wouldn't have a similar way. PM me if you want, and I'll explain it if you're not sure how to do it. This probably isn't the best place for a long and rambling Nikon-software-defeating tutorial.


Gabriel feels your pain. I think he wants to hide in his bed for a week too...


Some Regrets (Edited) par SapphireStargazer, sur Flickr

 

Hm...I have a rather old Nikon SLR, and I am simply using the Windows Explorer to put pictures onto the hard disk drive to process them. I know nothing about the Nikon Software, never used it. Some news from my Favourite Avengers: Loki (offtopic here) is done, and has everything he asked for. As my daughter requested, I delayed Thor and am now working on Captain America (my Tony head). I will tweak his costume a bit so that his whole body will be covered. This way, I can put his head also on the grey-skinned Idol body I still want to purchase. Right now, Mr. Steve Rogers gets his hair done (or better said, he gets hair at all).

 

Heidi ho Impldoll thread!
It's been several years since I've had an Impldoll, but now I have one again, horray!

I received the lovely Idol size Delia earlier this week and after giving her a face-up and slapping some clothes and wigs on her, here she is!




How's everybody doing?

 

*squeals* AlisonVonderland she looks AMAZING - I love the way you've styled her, and that faceup is perfect! Gorgeous pics on your flickr too Because I am a fan of Delia myself, I had been stalking that sales thread myself - saw from the feedback threads that you'd bought her and I'm so glad you are going to spam us with lots of photos to tempt me even more

awwww Grouchy Gnome that's a shame! My son has a mac - I'll see what he says - he's a techie. Usually I never bother to install the disks that come with the camera anyway - all the stuff is found by my computer online, as computers are clever like that - I don't have to do anything, just plug in my camera to the USB and the photos are all uploaded just fine But I've never used a mac.....

And 9 photos is NO WAY enough to learn how to get the best from your old camera - Take about 99, in different lights and on different settings - I must admit it's boring looking through about 60 near identical photos for the one that's exposed best, lit best, focused best, etc. but that's what I do! I think that's probably what most photographers do too? SapphireStargazer Noe....sorry I have no idea how to do accents on my new computer - it's as useless as my new camera! Why oh why does good old stuff have to break? he is really cute - such a great family resemblance to Elise! Ahhh poor Gabriel looks so sad - He'd be crying harder if I got near him with my 'faithless boyfriend' stick though! As for my camera well it's not so much a case of my commendable tenacity as I only have a birthday once a year, and having already wasted some perfectly good 'dolly money' on this piece of junk, I'm not about to throw more away on ANOTHER camera - so I'm forced to use this one now Or of course buy less dolls - but that's not really an option is it? Really I SHOULD save it 'for emergencies' I guess, like a proper grown-up person

 

Grouchy Gnome I second what everyone else is saying, I have two cameras, one is a Nikon SLR and the other is an Olympus. I have never installed software on my Mac I simply plug the SD card into the Reader. Your Mac will have a reader, and it will also have iPhoto editing software installed - this is what I use to upload and tweak my photos. iPhoto is also really user friendly (if not a bit basic). Incidentally, you can install Maverick operating system upgrades on to your Mac OS as far as I'm aware. This would bring your Mac up to date.
SapphireStargazer I'm really enjoying reading about the twists and turns in Gabriel and Elise's love life. I think it's time Zach got to spend a little time with her (that might ruffle even more feathers). Guillame says that he is more than willing to offer his shoulder for her to cry on too
Elve every time I see your 'big man' I'm excited to receive my Tony - He looks really cute with that cleft chin
AlisonVonderland Wow - she looks great - I really like the Delia sculpt and your girl is so different.