Monthly Featured Photographer - January 2014

The doll featured in this particular shoot is a 4Woods AI NEO with the Chris head, named Shermie, and also do shoots with my PIB, Tamara. I've never really been interested in photography until I received my 4Woods several years ago. I like to think I have improved over the years since then, but know I still have a long way to go, before I can consider myself anything more than an amateur.

I started out using a Canon Powershot G5, but have recently upgraded to a Canon Rebel T3. I still have a lot learn about this new camera's features. I've bought a Cowboy Studios beginner's lighting set, that includes a background frame for black or white sheets (muslins, the proper term i think). It also came with 2 smaller background lighting tripods, and 2 larger lighting tripods with umbrellas. I always use a tripod whenever possible, even with the newer camera able to compensate for some motion. I've bought a flash, but have not experimented with it a whole lot yet. I also use a remote trigger sometimes, to get shots where I need to help support the doll in a certain pose, mostly with my PIB, to get a pose I want.

I try to make the dolls look as life-like as I can, whether its posing the hands, fingers realistically, or moving the eyes, so it gives them a little life. I've always found that the little details are what can take a picture from okay to great. I have the philosophy, if you take a ton of pictures, move lighting around, etc, you will at least get a few good pictures out of it, may not be time efficient that way, but that's how I do it. I have also become more educated in Photoshop, so I'm able to enhance pictures, remove doll stands, hairs, etc, more efficiently than previously. I also put a little glare in the eyes sometimes, to give them a little more life.

I hope everyone enjoys the pictures I post, as I will continue to do so :)

Spedfish