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Tension Points

4/8/2015

9 Comments

 
This is not exactly a very inspiring time of year for taking doll photos. It's all dead and brown outside, and we are supposed to get freezing rain today. Sewing is going very slow, so there's nothing new to share.  So what better time to tackle another photography tip - tension points.

How often have you taken your dolls outside for some photos, then when you downloaded them on your computer, there were distracting things in the background? We tend to focus so much on getting our dolls posed just right, that we can easily overlook, or not notice what's in the background. Like this photo taken this past January......
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It was so cold, and I was in a hurry, so never even noticed the windmill blades sticking out of Ringo's pompom.        Then there's those sneaky trees that stick up through a doll's head.....
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Or how about this photo where I wasn't paying attention to what was in the background?
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You can unintentionally take some rather funny pictures!  

I had to really watch the backgrounds in my recent series of photos at the Ruins Garden. I never even noticed the large, concrete fruit protruding from the top of Rosy's head....
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The horizontal edge going right through her head isn't attractive either. When I moved to get another angle I didn't notice the curls spiralling out of the top of her head at first either.....
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There were also large numbers in the concrete - the date on an old building facade - and they also were rather distracting....
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To minimize the tension points, I moved over a little more, and took another photo. There's still a concrete curl on one side of her head, but at least the huge spirals are not coming out the middle of her head anymore...
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So next time you are out and about taking photos of your dolls, try pay attention to what's in the background so you don't end up with distracting tension points.....
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9 Comments
marianne
4/8/2015 02:27:12 am

kissing totem made me laugh

Reply
Martha
4/8/2015 02:37:37 am

I know. That one's really bad - like they are having a stare-off. It would have been even worse if I'd had paid attention to more depth of field and the totem pole had been in focus. But it was taken in a public place less than an hour after reentering Canada through Customs in Victoria Harbour, so I was extremely stressed.

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Jitka
4/8/2015 04:13:20 am

Your photography tutorials are truly valuable. There are so many things (that I notice now thanks to your explanation) that need to be checked before taking picture - where the light is, positioning of the doll, check of surroundings and you explain it in clear way. I really appreciate all your work you put into that. I am looking forward to reading another tips :)

Reply
Martha
4/8/2015 05:08:38 am

I'm glad you are finding it helpful. I will keep adding new topics from time to time.

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Brigitte
4/8/2015 06:02:30 am

Rosy was very producitve in the Ruins, letting everything bubble out of her head. :-)

Thank you again for sharing your tips and tricks. It helps me not only to take better photos by myself, but also to recognise (and respect) the attention you pay to every detail of your work. I'm always so excitet about your wonderful photos and the beautiful dolls and dresses, i have to look three or four times to divide between the complete scene and the background on its own.

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Martha
4/8/2015 10:06:35 am

Yes, I took advantage of Rosy to let her demonstrate. Personally, I prefer the accidental tension point photos, but I didn't have many, since I usually delete them.

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Sue link
4/10/2015 02:09:41 am

I specialise in these sorts of shots -and can totally see why you'd be stressing about being in public. As someone who has just had a hard stare from a couple out walking when I was innocently trying to get pix of a doll on a horse..on a log (as you do) jeeez!

Timely reminder about looking at the background. Thank you. I love your lighting tutorials too.

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Martha
4/10/2015 02:22:13 am

I'm very self-conscious, so try to go out for doll photos early or late in the day when there's less likely to be crowds - and that also happens to be the best lighting. I'm constantly afraid of what others will think, as my own dad used to always make derogatory comments about me as a grown woman 'playing with dolls'. But I find more often than not, people are very polite and curious, and are quite interested in the dolls. Still I try avoid anyplace with people whenever possible.

Reply
Jane
4/11/2015 08:34:40 pm

Oh I did have a good laugh at some of these photographic faux pas!
And I have enough of my own to knowing how they happen! LOL!

And thank you for being so brave and taking so many photos in public places too.
I feel the same as you do and yet my experience seems to have been the same as yours. Most people are just very politely interested.
But I could win the Olympic Gold medal for getting a doll safely back in a bag and out of sight at the first hint of someone being seen! LOL!

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    Martha Boers is an award-winning Canadian doll maker and costumer specializing in fantasy and historical-style costumes.
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