I had a little spare time to play today, so I went looking through my stash of clothes to find something new for my girls to wear. Then I popped them on my laptop and took a couple of happy snaps. Using a laptop as a little stage or backdrop is a great way to capture a quick, stylized shot of your favorite small dolls, miniatures or figures. I liked the way this one turned out after editing.
The one below shows exactly how I had them sitting on my keyboard. The outfits they are wearing were made for my Fairyland PukiFees, but they look fine on these two.
Then I tried editing out a background and replacing it with plain colour. This is a highly effective way to eliminate distractions and make your subject stand out, though it can sometimes look a bit "designed" or unnatural if the edges aren't perfect.
I recommend you try choosing a plain background color that matches the general brightness and luminance of the original environment. Putting a subject photographed in bright lighting against a solid dark background will usually look jarring as shown here.
If you want the photo to look like it was shot in a professional studio rather than digitally edited, use a subtle gradient layer instead of a perfectly flat solid color. A slight light falloff from the top or center makes a world of difference.
To create a really magical composite image add a PNG character or subject into a festive digital background like I've done with Santa's Workshop below, it's a great way to bring a holiday scene to life. I'm really happy with the way this one turned out, they really do look like they are in Santa's Workshop.
Because of my limited mobility, I mostly use my desk, and take photos with my phone. Doing so under the daylight globes in my studio helps me to capture beautiful, eye-level photos of my dolls without needing to physically drop to the ground. I sometimes use elevated staging surfaces, to bring the scene to my comfort level. Getting to the doll's eye level creates a lifelike perspective, and I can easily achieve this while standing or sitting comfortably.
I've never been really great at taking photos with a camera. However, the editing process is what enjoy the most and using the digital backgrounds, really makes photography fun for me!
How do you prefer to take your photos?
Oh they look super cute in those outfits! I wouldn't have thought of trying pukifees clothes on them. The photos are great and you have super good editing skills, I like what you did. I had forgotten all about the PC screen as a background technique, I used to do it a lot for figures, so thanks for reminding me it's an option.
ReplyDeleteI like taking photos indoor more than outdoors so I don't have to throw myself to the ground, but I do it when I have a particular idea (getting up is another whole story LOL). I like to make dioramas, but I havent had the time so a simple background works for me and looks tidy.
Thank you Alejandra. The only fitted because they are crocheted and the yarn allows a little stretch, had they been sewn cotton garments, I don't think they woud have. Yes, the old PC trick works for the small dolls quite well, quick and easy.
DeleteThere's quite a few of us that have the same "get down okay, get up not so well" thesedays, we are all beginning to show ur age. LOL! I love dioramas too, but it's the space that's needed to set up that can be a bit of a problem. I had my 1/6 scale roombox set up on my light table, but took it down so I could work on my doll house. I do like simple backdrops too, but the digital backgrounds allow my imagination to wander (and it does . . . all over the place). 😘
I agree with Alejandra! They sure do look adorable in their new outfits.
ReplyDeleteIt was a while ago I used PC screens as a background. I mostly go outdoors and find something in the forest or downtown. It is a bit easier here at the cottage to just take a doll out and take a walk to the lake and while walking take some photos. But it is quick and easy with the old PC trick, that is for sure!
Love your Rurukos and the photos you have taken.
Hugs!
Hi Niina! Thank you, the outfits make them look a little younger IMO. I would like to either make or buy some pretty dresses for them, they don't have many clothes.
DeleteBeing close to the forest must be pefect for taking outdoor photos, you're lucky having the cottage there, we do have a park across the road but whenever I walk there I forget to take a doll. 😘
Such an interesting idea to photograph dolls in front of a laptop monitor—it’s so great that you can change the background to anything. I absolutely love the Santa’s workshop background; it’s so inspiring. The doll photos turned out wonderful, you did a fantastic job 💗
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I really love photographing my dolls as well. I usually create various roombox setups and shoot them using artificial lighting. Recently, I managed to master the manual settings on my camera, and I’m enjoying the process so much. I also work with GIMP and edit all my photos in it.