Mishka's Studio - A behind the scenes making of a photoshoot

Body: 

So this month, I am going to go over a day of photographing my dolls. You all have probably scene so many great pics out there, and wonder how it's possible these guys get those great shots. I have wondered too, and spent a long time studying how to use a camera well, and youtuve vids on studio setups and posing of your models. See how those dolls in many promos look so lifelike? How do you get that look? -- My take is study the artist and see what he sees and emulate his pics to see if you can get similar shots. 

So what goes into planning and execution of my photo shoots?

To start with, you would ponder over the setting for the doll shoot and make a decision to go outdoors or not - depending on the weather. If it's raining, I may cancel everything, as the ambient light will not allow natural shadows, and artificial lighting is not enough for me. This may not apply, if I decide to make a fireplace scene and use the fire as ambient lighting, then it's a go.

 

So the next thing I decide on is the clothing and which doll to focus on. If it's not a monthly vendor obligation, then I am free to choose the doll for the shoot. Really, I think it over by going into the doll room and looking at the dolls, heads and if I want a tan or naturally light skinned lady.. those are tough choices when you have 20+ heads and a dozen dolls which many of whom can be mixed and matched. I have made adapters for any head to about any body, so I can expand on combinations. For example, if I want to use a Candy Girl (Orient Industry) head, then I use the correct head adapterto WM and voila!

After I decide on the head and body, I will decide on makup, wig color and jewelry. Generally, I ask the wife to help out, but she often decides on something I do not want, but she does have great ideas on hair do's. Lately, I have been braiding hair, and that works well. Generally, I try to be distinctive in my shoots, so that it can be considered a style. I am more of an artsy photographer than a pro studio photographer for what that's worth and my scenes focus on the doll and the scene as a whole - including the theme. Others photographers are doll scentric, and for me, I want to incorporate a scene just as importantly as the lady. That's why I have a house full of eclectic props and stuff. My wife likes the house decor, so that helps. Somedays I will use her artwork in the scene.

So then I dress her and apply make-up to the doll. This usually takes me about 1-2 hours. Next I will set up the scene and layout the props. If necessary, arrange the scene around hanging rigs and special things to help assist in the doll posing. I have two 800lb electric winches that I can hang two RealDolls if need be, and make them stand. Also, an overhead metal lighting trussle helps when going outdoors and is a mobile solution.

Then, I set up the cameras, lighting and any extra things to complete the set. The dolls are arranged for the scene, and a light exposure is taken. If it's metered for 1/60 sec or better, I will use a F5.6, and ISO of 400. If light is not adequate, I will shoot F8 and use a tripod and manual filming (All settings are preset and are on manual) to keep exposures the same. I set the camera to export RAW/NEF and set white balance to around 5.2K, although that is often changed later in PS or Nikon raw import.

I'll then take my first picture, and run it through a large 27" IPS screen via HDMI to evaluate the picture and if tweaks are needed, I will adjust them or not. When outside, I will not use the large IPS screen, just use the small preview on camera. Then I will take about 20 pictures per pose. 

I then take a small break, step back and think of the next pose I want, and how to realize that without damaging the doll,house, or my back. I often have a small 8x11" paper with various poses one does with promo pics, and follow that. So, in a day, I will have around 12 poses of 20 pictures each. So in all, 200-400 pictures per set is normal for me. 

Once the set is complete,  I will (if there's time) do another set with an extra doll - that's why I have two of each. I fully dress each - thinking I will use both dolls separately and perhaps together for a finale!

Lastly, the shut down procedure is the reverse of the set up, but I admit, sometimes I will keep the doll dressed for a few weeks or a month (if her clothing is not stain prone and tight), and keep her standing or just sitting. Sometimes there are times I need to reshoot the scene, and having her already dressed the same, can help.

There are times I'll make a screw-up - something like using the wrong depth of field, and everything looks out of focus except for a sliver of the doll's face. I generally would fail that set, and try again. I recon, that's where trial by error works well. I like DoF effects, but that often comes with a razor thin sucess rate, as what looks great in the view finder if not accurately focused, is not seen until viewed with a larger screen.

I had even days where I shot an entire scene and found the wig to be way off, and looked bad, like she was losing hair. Those lesson's I learned along time ago, and nowdays, I look at the doll objectively before filming. Ask yourself - what is wrong with the scene? What would you fix? - is her wire finger all wonky and bent? Is her eye looking one way and the other eye, the other direction? Is her hair looking like she just woke up and you had a quicky before filming? lol

Anyway, preparation goes a long way, and that's why details a critical to sucess. Oh, and before I go, study other people's pics - not just dolls, but RL women in glamor mags, and see how they pose and so on..

Anyway, enjoy these pics!

Click image for Gallery and Full-size photos.

Blog Category: 
Content: