Monthly Featured Photographer - February 2013

CLICK HERE for more photos...

There's bear skin and then there's just bare skin on a rug.  I think I prefer the second.  It is more about something I'd want to curl up to on a cold winter's night.

This Miami isn't that warm shore city in south Florida.  She is a bright and beautiful MinilLoveDoll belonging to Muneca. Miami has already held honors as one of CoverDoll's monthly featured dolls in 2012. Her shoot was outstanding and we believe that we should pay tribute to the man behind the camera.  OK, we admit, we wanted to see more photos as well and Muneca certainly didn't disappoint.

About the Photographer

Muneca uses a Sony NEX-3, which is Sony’s first mirrorless interchangeable lens system camera.  It uses the same sensor as a DSLR.    Sony claims it is one of the world's smallest and lightest interchangeable lens cameras.  Low light sensitivity ranges from ISO 200 to a maximum ISO 12800 equivalent setting.   

Muneca stated, "I take a hundred shots and one might be good enough to warrant the effort to fix in photo-shop. If I have any claim to fame it's that I know what looks good when I see it.  What I lack in photography skills I try to make up for by putting my doll in interesting situations and interesting light. In my limited skills as a photographer what I do know is that taking a photo with flash is boring.  Shadows and dark areas add so much interest."

But the real challenge for Muneca is the fact that Miami is only 42" tall.  Putting her on regular furniture makes her look small and out of proportion.  To compensate for this Muneca has taken to making his own furniture scaled down perfectly to match Miami's size.  The first thing he built was a fainting couch scaled down to half the size of a real couch.

Another obstacle Muneca described...
"Clothing is also a challenge, most of it has to be altered to fit this small doll. Armed with a pair of scissors and some Super Glue you can take some sexy Victoria Secret panties and reduce them to fit her perfectly.  One such pair is featured in this article."

Eyes are one of the most difficult items to make natural when photographing.  Each photographer has their own system and tricks. Muneca shares how he positions the eyes of his Mini Love Doll...
"She needs to be looking directly at the camera or in a completely different direction. If she is sort of looking at the camera, she looks artificial. For example, she can look over your head, but not at your forehead. She can look below you, but not at your chin. It is subtle, but can make a big difference. I pose my doll's head close to where I want it and then move the camera around so she is either looking directly into the lens, or obviously away from it."
All in all, photographing a small doll sounds like a lot of work, but the payoff is big and you won't need any pain killers for  your  back ;)

Thanks, Muneca for sharing this creative professional looking photo shoot.
 - Midiman

Note from the Editor: Each month we will feature a
different photographer's work. We invite doll owners and manufacturers
alike to participate in this new monthly feature. Photo shoots must meet
a minimum quality level. If you do not meet that level we are happy to
work with you, critique your photos and help you to raise the bar on
your photography. Good photo shoots can be had with low cost digital
cameras. It is all in the technique.

Submit your inquiries and sample entry photos to featuredphotographer@coverdoll.com