Behind the Scenes

11/7/2021

Time to share how some of the photos on Baron and Naomi's trip up north were taken. Due to all the scenes being out in the real world, I needed to use forced perspective to make the dolls look like they actually belonged there. With forced perspective the photos have to be taken straight at the doll's eye level, which means either raising the dolls up so their eye level is at the same level as an adult human's, or getting down on the ground to shoot straight at the doll's eye level.

But due to all the rain and my major back pain, most of the photos ended up being taken either hand held, or with them posing on a picnic table.....like at Serpent River....

Hand held at the Agawa Bay Lookout....

Jan shading the dolls, waiting for me to get down - one of the few times I actually did - at Old Woman Bay.....

Standing on a picnic table....

Chaperoning as the dolls watch the sun set.....

...and a little photo bombing.....which I had to remove.....

My two guys at Magpie High Falls....

Enjoying the scenery at Katharine Cove....

Enjoying pizza in the RV..
..supported by stands to make them the right height for the table....

Dorothy

11/7/2021 12:09:04 pm

You can't see my smile but it's there. Yeaaa, behind the scenes!

I love seeing "steady hand" Jan holding the dolls. I think you are going to have to give him a raise for all of his hard work (laugh).

My favorite photo is the one in which the couple is looking at the sunset and Jan is looking at them. He looks so content to be there helping with the story.

Thanks so much for sharing these photos. I always enjoy them.

Kathleen Lowe

11/8/2021 12:28:59 pm

I always love seeing your behind-the-scenes photos. You have such a talent/skill with false perspective!

Can you tell or show me more about the boxes you carry your dolls in? I've been using Yoga bags. They are easy to carry, but I worry if I'm providing enough safety, particularly when traveling by car.

Martha

11/8/2021 12:36:09 pm

I did a Blog post on them once, but have no idea when. We made the boxes specific sizes for my various dolls. They are cardboard with a separate lid. I made cushions that fit the entire length of the box, which the doll lays on. Then I also made a shorter cushion which goes on top of the doll, but doesn't cover their face, and it holds the doll in place. I use wide elastic to hold the lid on.

The doll boxes fit nicely into the upper back compartments in our RV, and I also made a cloth bag that will hold three doll boxes inserted vertically, for when we have to carry them any distance. Which is why the names on the boxes are important, since I always make sure to have the name on the lid read from the doll's head to it's feet, so I know which way they are up.

I have labelled boxes for all my different sizes of dolls.

Donna

11/8/2021 06:33:19 pm

Your behind-the-scenes photos are always so interesting! They really show how skillfully you use forced perspective. Without them no one would ever guess how small these dolls actually are.

Martha

11/8/2021 06:55:52 pm

Thanks.

The secret is to always shoot reasonably close, straight at the doll's eye level. If I stand too far back from the dolls it doesn't work, nor if the camera is angled up or down. It's also important to have the doll's head above the horizon.

It's the only way to shoot photos out on location in the real world, and I get so used to doing it, it's almost automatic now.

earthspirits

11/9/2021 06:30:36 pm

Always enjoy your "behind the scenes" pics, so very interesting.

Martha

11/9/2021 07:37:36 pm

I try to remember to take them, especially out on location, although at home they tend to all look the same - either inside on my dining room table or outside on my patio table.

KarenC

11/11/2021 10:56:59 am

I love how Jan supports your work so enthusiastically and carefully! You have a gem there. Thank you for your generosity sharing your patterns and know how. How lucky we all are to experience your art!

Martha

11/12/2021 06:58:48 pm

It's nice he doesn't mind helping, since I'd never be able to do half the stuff I do without his help.

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