~*Tip for easily beautiful photos*~

More tips ;3
Spend a lot of time on posing your doll..
Pay attention to little details like they're hands.
Maybe your dolls is pulling her/his own shirt during one picture ^_^
Take more then one good sharp picture a pose, make a few of one pose from different angles.

To add more lifeness to your doll, don't put they're eyes in the center.
But make them look to the left or up a little bit.

 

I suggest to everyone to read the manual for their camera XD seriously, it makes a big difference when you know what all the little buttons mean, or at least to get the jist of it. If you don't have it at home, most makers supply manuals for free on their sites.

 

Tips
*Use natural light as much as possible. Sunset is perfect to me.

*Focus on one area of your doll for a few shoots. Example: Focus on just a foot that is tipped like your doll is about to take a step, or just an eye half covered with hair. It adds drama.

*Think outside the box; Pose your doll copying human postures, with a lot of effort in the posing. Or try a new pose, one you've never done before.

 

No. 1 photography tip: AVOID BACK LIGHTING !
This cannot be stressed enough. Unless you are looking for silhouette shots (which can be quite challenging) do not use back lighting. That is the number one way to make a decent set-up turn into ugliness.

No. 2 photography tip: Have good lighting.
Seriously, lighting can make or break a photoshoot. No matter how great the set up, you must have good lighting. This is regardless of whether it is a B&W or Colour shoot. I seriously advocate non-fluorescent lighting. Obviously the best type of lighting is natural light, but if light is failing, it can be enhanced with warm lighting.

Equipment
Another tip: Invest in a tripod and macro lens. Get the tripod first since most cameras have some macro function on them (usually a flower symbol - most commonly used for close ups of floral scenes). A tripod affords your camera the stability it needs to do shots in low light, with heavy macro - slow shutter speeds mean that the slightest movement will result in "the blur".

These are general tips, not really doll-based, since I come from an Arts/Photography background myself.

Darkroom work
Darkroom tip no.1 : Be careful when opening the roll of film with scissors. It's going to be pitch black between cracking the canister open and loading it into the developing box. I can only say it is very painful if you slip.

Composition tips

1. Avoid "bulls-eye" compositions. While it can often work well for portrait-esque shots, it can also make work look greatly amateurish. Why not try the Magic Rule of Thirds! It's great. Try leaving 1/3 of space in the photo. For a more sparse, dramatic feel, try 2/3s of space, letting the background enhance the doll.

2. Do not let antennae appear. Watch out for what's behind the head. Things "growing" out of heads is not just a photography faux pas - it's the Cardinal Sin of photography! I kid you not.

Colours

This one is really a matter of personal taste. Sepias and greyscales are great. But why does it seem like French and Japanese art are so subdued and beautiful? The answer: Tertiary Colours. What are tertiary colours? They're the colours made by mixing secondary colours - browns, beiges, pastels are all tertiary colours. Nature tones tend to lend a work a more beautiful feel. Unless you're going for playschool/ bright/ avant-garde effects, in which case I have nothing to say to you... I mean... whatever floats your boat.

Hope this has helped. No bunnies were harmed in the making of this post. Darn! More soon~!

 

I personaly don't think there's such a thing as an 'easily beautiful photograph' like any other artform there's a lot you have to think about to take a wonderfull photo.

Just thought I'd throw my 2 shiny pennies worth in here. Its more general things than getting specific about technique but yeah...


Take many shots, post few
One of the main reasons I love digital is the ability to take dozens if not hundreds of shots and not have to worry about the cost if you mess up, it makes for much more experimentation.
So don't be afraid to keep taking shots, experiment with different angles, poses etc etc and when it comes to post shoot processing, pick out the very best and the very best only. Trying to limit yourself to 12 at the very most.

Once you've picked those 12, go through them again and eliminate any that aren't strong enough to make the final cut until you have 7 or 8 left. Be completely ruthless about it, if there's a glare or a nasty shadow here or there that throws it off, ditch it, if the focus is slightly off...ditch it etc etc

One single fantastic shot is worth a hundred crap ones. If I come away from a shoot with only one image I'm completely and utterly satisfied with then it was well worth the time and effort. No matter what your skill or knowledge level or equipment always strive for the best shot you possibly can, don't be satisfied with 'so-so' photos.

There's nothing duller than trudging through dozens of very similar very poorly thought out photos. I'd rather see a post with one shot I know someones put their all into than 20 half arsed ones. Quanity does not = quality.



Photoshop should be used to make a good shot great not save a crap one
This could just be me but I hate it when people attempt to save a crappy shot by over photoshopping it. If it's a crap shot, leave it alone, bin it even, learn from your mistakes don't try to force it to be 'okay'
Photoshop is a wonderfull tool but it doesn't make up for sloppy technique or laziness behind the camera.
Relying overly on something like photoshop to save mediocre images will only hold you back in the long run


Experiment
Take the camera off auto.
Do it.
Do it now.

Get to know what your camera is capible of, don't be afraid of messing up, play with light, play with exposure. Don't be afraid of trying new things.


Look at photography outside of the doll world
Look through stock photography websites like getty, istockphoto etc, there are some truely amazing stock photographers out there. You never know you may just get inspired.
Read books. There are hundreds of books and websites out there covering every possible topic. Read some. Learn the basic theory behind photography and you may just come away feeling enriched. You can't just just point a camera and expect magic to happen.

 

PAY ATTENTION TO LIGHT

This ruins pictures of all sorts, seriously. The lightbulbs you put in your everyday lights cast an orange hue. We can't see it normally, but photos sure can. Fluorescent casts a green/blue hue. Flash lights, when done wrong, wash out a subject's face. Really bad idea to use a flash when you want a face-up to show. Natural lighting is always the best, but pay attention to how much light there is. Bright days may look like they're the best to take pictures in... but often times it's slightly overcast days or when the sun is rising or going down that provides the best light.

I cannot stress this enough. After all, photography is all about light. So it makes sense that it's something you should pay close attention to!

WATCH YOUR BACKGROUND

Busy backgrounds take away from the subject of the picture. Pictures with piles of clothes, books, carpet, pets, and general mess in the background can be distracting. If you take pictures outside and catch something in the background, like a car in the drive or something, re-take that picture somewhere else, seriously. Because you really don't want people to look at the picture and think 'nice car', you want them to think "beautiful doll."

When making your own backgrounds use fabric that does not contain a pattern. Drape the fabric over the entire area, not just behind the doll. If you just put it behind the doll, then took a full body image, then you suddenly have a nasty horizon line. Horizon lines may look nice for a natural background, but when an image is being staged it just makes it look sloppy and takes away from the subject like a bust background does. REMEMBER, eyes are drawn to horizon lines! It's distracting!

PAY ATTENTION TO CROPPING

Okay, not such a big deal because you can always fix this in photoshop, but still...

Watch what you're doing. Otherwise you end up with tons of dead space you don't need on one side of the picture. Or you chop off an ear, some hair... If you find it difficult to hold your camera still, prop it up on something. Tripods are amazing things! I have very shaky hands, so I find it very difficult to take images on low shutter speeds (good for dark images, allows more light to get to the film). Tripods are amazing! If your camera came with one, use it! Seriously! Big difference.

Remember, some cropping problems cannot be fixed in photoshop... Photoshop does not magically re-add ears or scalps that have been hacked off in the photo-taking process.

PROPS

Don't overload the image. Again, it's distracting. But use of props can make amazing images. Halloween is coming up, why not get a small pumpkin for autumn pictures? Get creative! For Christmas pictures, play around with some wrapping paper. Use props that suit the character of your doll. When I get my doll, I plan on making her a punching bag to play with (along with some fist hands... oO).

I work in a photo studio right now and we encourage people to bring their own props. I've found that the best props are the props that others bring in. The best prop pictures I've seen? Guitar, Fireman's helmet, Ballet shoes, and Karate uniforms. Try little things like sunglasses, headphones, necklaces, or cell phones as well.

Just don't overcrowd the image. A couple of pumpkins may be fine... but pumpkins plus leaves plus costume wings plus a background of trees plus hay, plus... well, the doll gets lost. oO

Uhm... Well, that's all I can think of for now. ^_^()

 

Ok,

I just have a little something to add about the after the photo shoot is done....

I love photoshop. But as stated by River do not use it to make a crap photo into an ok one. Use it instead to inheance what you have that is good. I like to take my color photos and make the B&W except for one element in the photo that I then leave color.

Try different things with different pictures. try this link....

www.goodtutorials.com

They have everything you could ever ask for in tutorials for photoshop.

Also, try cropping out what isn't needed. And remeber always crop with your lens first photo shop second.

Try dreamy effects with brushed edges. Try different color boardes almost like a mat around your iamges. Also check out flickr.com and see what they are doing with people shots over there. They have tons of wedding and head shots there. It might inspire you.

 

Yes, I admit that I didn't read the full thread so things can recur.

*The backround. Clean up the mess. Nobody wants to see your socks lieing next to your doll. Try to put some fabric for the backround or find a nice wall with nice wallpaper.

*You accidentally look outside and see perfect light? Got for it. Grab your camera and doll and start taking pictures. You don't get perfect light every day so don't waste it.

*Prepare your photoshoots. Had a great idea but can't do it right at the moment? Just prepare as much as you can (bacrounds, doll's clothes etc.) and wait for the opportunity.

*Doll has no faceup/a crappy faceup but you want to take pictures. Take them of feet, hands etc. You don't have to photograph face. It's a good alternation.

*Do it the other way. If you see your pictures are going too boring and plain do a big turn and photograph another way. It even may be a doll standing on it's head or whatsoever.

 

*Buy a tripod.

 

Be familiar with your camera! Don't be afraid to play around with settings, try different exposure timings.

and as a general rule of thumb, flash makes things look terrible XD try not to use it.

 

*to soften flash, put a tissue paper over it.
*dont be afraid to ask for HELP!

 

No flash...

 

Really look at the picture before you take it. Serriously.

Swivel yourself around and try different things. Lay on your back or side! I know a whole bunch of people who've gotten lovely photos in this posostion.


I know it's not much info, but it's my way of saying thanks for eveyone else's input.

 

-If possible, take each picture at a few different exposures. Even if it looks right on the screen, it could be wrong on the computer screen, which is disappointing! This is very easy with a tripod.

-If you're using a tripod and don't have a trigger switch, try seeing if your camera has a timer. Mine has a 10 second one. This way you don't move the camera by pushing the button. It makes a big difference when your subject is so small!

-Use a reflector! Mine is a piece of cardboard wrapped in aluminum foil, it's not expensive! XD Use it to bounce light back up into your doll's face and eyes.
I take advantage of the 10 second timer to hold the reflector exactly were it needs to be.

 

Do not use digital zoom. Ever. For any reason.

 

I am not the master of photography...actually I just got my first SLR a couple months ago but oh my god, the difference it makes! I guess my tips will be....

*I stole this tip from my high school art teacher. She always stressed when drawing a picture not to throw it directly in the middle of the paper, but to draw it so that the object is "falling" off three sides of the paper. It gives a better effect. Same for dolly photos. I usually take photos so that three sides of the picture is filled with doll and not just background.

*I also experiment with camera positioning. Yes there are two main types. Horizontal(Landscape) or Vertical(Portrait). I try to turn the camera so that I get a picture that is sort of tipped to one side. Sometimes this helps to bring in an object from the background that you couldn't get with a portrait of landscape view. It's also very interesting to look at

*Don't limit yourself to full on face pictures. Sure the face is usually in 90% of the pictures taken, but experiment with shot of other body parts as well. Feet and hands can also make great picture, especially with a great shoe or background.

*Make use of your background! Choose interesting places. A lot of blank space can be a bad thing but it can also make a picture. The doll can still be the star in a picture even if 70% of that picture is background. Try having a doll stand by a brick building or lay in the grass where the background isn't that busy, and go nuts with blank space!

hm...that's all I have for now. Tripods work good for indoor shots, don't limit yourself to auto...messing with manual can be just as fun!

 

Here's a couple of tips...Everyone probably knows them though!

• Don't be afraid to use flash... Use a diffuser. For Point-and-shoot cameras use a tissue over the flash.

• Always, always, use a tripod.

• I read this from a book... one of the ways to get sharp photos is to turn the Vibration reduction(VR) off when using a tripod. But remember to turn it back on when your not using a tripod

Another thing you can do when you don't have a tripod is to wrap the camera strap around your arm. It makes your arm more steady, apparently.

 

Here are my favorite tips-

1. Tripod, I know its been said before but its worth repeating. Even on a small point and shoot it can make a world of difference. Now having said that, if you do not have a tripod, you can also use a stack of books, a pile of dvd's anything that will get it to the right level.

2. Timer, even with a tripod you can get camera shake, or with some you have to press down it will autofocus, but the moment you pull your hand away it will shift. Set your shot up, turn the timer on, press the button and pull your hand back if your like me you will now also hold your breath the whole time . It allows the camera to sit long enough to get enough light for a good photo, catch all the details.

3. Look at your view finder as tho it were the picture. What I mean by that is your taking a 3-d environment and making it 2d. You have to realize that everything will flatten out, things our eyes and minds automaticly remove from the focus, such as door frames behind the head. plants growing out of arms things like that. Will come in to focus in a photo. So look over the whole photo before you press the button.

 

Turn On The Macro!

And don't blame your camera before you took the time to read up on the basics of picture taking (and practiced them also!). Also...getting familiar with the cam's maual is always useful^^

And...don't forget to use that macro!

 

-Invest in a mirror. I use flash with a mirror all the time to aim it in a proper direction; the photos come out godly.

-Up the nose shots are the death of us all.

-If you have props (flowers, chairs, etc) try to make them IN SCALE. this even goes for little things like jewelry or hairclips.

-Pose your doll. Don't just let it sit there and do nothing.

-Try to conceal joints when taking photos. It'll add a bit more life to them.

 

*always spend time doing shots from different angles to find out which are the best for your doll. Some molds don't look as beautiful from certain angles, so study the looks and poses that compliment the sculpt.

 

I don't have much to contribute, because everyone has pretty much summed up what I wanted to say
But, I always shoot in RAW now.
I can then adjust my photo's in a RAW editor when I put the shots on my computer

 

Someone may have said this already. Velvet makes a great background. We invested in a ginourmously expensive piece of black velvet and another of white.

A favourit spot for indoor shots is the dining room table with a chair on top and the velvet draped over the back of the chair. the doll is positioned in front of the velvet. No shadows, no creases.

Someone also mentioned making a reflector by wrapping a large board with aluminium foil. You wouldn't believe what a difference this makes. If you can, get someone to hold it for you while you look through the view finder. As they change the position of the board, you would be amazed how the light on the doll changes.

 

You can use BRIDGE (Mac users) to work on RAW and JPEG photos! It's easy and faster then going into Photoshop.

 

Im seriously not a camera expert and half the time i dont know what im doing XD; But once again, Tripod. Does wonders

 

♥ Take your time.
I'm so impatient it should be a sin. If you take a test photo and look at it. you're more likely to catch flaws. It'll save you many picture.

♥ Keep a good posture.
When you're taking photos, you're going to be in odd positions for a long period of time. It's good to have and try a good posture, or you're going to have an anyone back or neck ache. You're going to need it for the hours of picking and editing.

♥ If you can, get a remote for your camera.
It'll keep your shaky hands off the camera, tripod or not, and prevent your shadows appearing in the photos.

 

I have never ever ever ever used a Tripod.
That does not mean you don't if you have really shaky hands use it or get really bight light (or the sun) and turn up your shutter speed. So if you do move it took the picture faster then you moved. Brace yourself on a wall or table and slow your breathing down the faster you breath the move you are going to move around.

Real Light is the best light. Spot lights are good if you need a little more light on the whatever side of you doll. but don ever just put it face on to the doll it will make your doll look FLAT like a pancake ( not that they are not delicious ). And play with your white balance, changing your WB will make the picture look way different maybe bad or maybe really good.

Angles If you use them they will come. No up nosey, or if you really really want to kill us, try a side up like your looking up at them from the side. Or from wayyy down at the ground so they look really tall from the side of your doll. Or try just taking your pictures a little bit from above, at a angle down of them.

TAKE a BUTT LOAD of PICTURES at the last doll meet I went to I took 300+ pictures. (you can look at flickr link in Sig). BUT I tossed more than half because, the light was so bad I used such a slow shutter speed most turned out blured or too dark. Take a ton of pictures if they donw turn out right you can just DELETE them. But if you don't take enough and they turn out bad you really don't have anything to show for the photo day or meet you went too.

Focus. You can put two dolls together but you don't have to have the focus on both of them. pick one and try just the focus on that one or the other. Or try the focus on what they are doing together or on they hands. It can just be about one and the other can be the "Prop" for that set of pictures, then make the focus in the next 60 on the other doll.

Hope that helps!

 

Only use flash if you know what you're doing (a.k.a; portable flashes and those funky umbrellas)
But the best thing I find is to take photos in the day time, but not when the sunshine is too bright/glaring. And when it comes to light balance "daytime" is usually the best, it gives the doll a sunshiny, colourful look. Though "tungsten light" can overpower any orangy tones you don't want, making them cooler.

AND MANUAL FOCUS IS YOUR BEST FRIEND!

 

I use a point-and-shoot so yeah ... lol

The tips are all very useful, I have found some of those things out by trial and error so it's nice to have that knowledge out there

I do not own a tripod so I have found that if you properly ground yourself, you can be a decent makeshift tripod.
1. Prop both of your arms on a solid surface or if you're sitting on the ground, prop them on your knees by putting your feet flat on the ground.
2. If you're standing, pull your arms in close to your body and stand solidly, you have less shake this way
3. When you push the button either don't breathe or breathe very slowly

I want to buy a better camera or hell a tripod when I have the money, but as of now, what I have gives me decent semi-decent pictures.

 

I'll probably be reiterating what others have said here, but anyway, here's my two cents.

*Tripods are your friend, and anything is much, much better than nothing when it comes to getting one. My favorite tripod to use when I had a point-and-shoot was only around fifteen bucks!

*Never use flash without a diffuser. (Even tissue paper works really well, and I believe there's a thread somewhere in here on making a diffuser with some really common materials.) This goes doubly for pale-skinned dolls.

*MAKE SURE THE COLOR BALANCE IS OKAY. As in, don't use the "shade" setting if you're in a fluorescent-lit room--green casts are never, ever fun, and neither are blue casts. Or orange. Or, well, you get the idea.

 

My #1A Easy Tip for shooting doll pictures would be:

• Dolls are people.
  Many above have stressed the importance of angles. I'd like to add another "level" () to that issue: shoot from the level that you want the doll to be seen from.
  In other words, place the camera at the same level in relation to the doll that you would shoot a 1:1 person from in a similar situation – i.e. the doll's eye level, a bit below it, another doll's point of view level, or whatever is right for that particular shot.
  This will probably entail you getting down sitting or even lying on the ground. So be it!

Shooting "down" from a normal human posture often can make for rather dull shots, emphasising the dolls' small size, even – horror of horrors! – making them look like toys, rather than the fantastic characters we know them to be.

So when is it okay to shoot from above? Generally I'd say in situations when you can envision a movie or TV show using a boom camera for the same shot.

My philosophy is to think of dolls as real people, and shoot them accordingly. This means bringing your camera down into their world and seeing it from their eyes. But this also goes for how you pose them and which angles you choose to shoot them from. I am myself still exploring the ramifications of this philosophy ... it's a learning process, but it seems to work for me.