A Lazy Afternoon and A Camera
I love my studio. Most days, I have more ideas than I know what to do with. Some days,however, are for photos outside of the studio. Some days are just made for grabbing the camera, no tripod, no light boxes, just beautiful natural sunshine and something fun to photograph. That is what this Saturday was for me. I just finished a new diorama in the doll room and I needed some unstructured camera playtime before I brought the serious lights in to set up a shoot for the diorama. I am a big advocate of the philosophy that you don’t need the best camera or the expensive professional lighting to take a really good photo. I also have to admit that you don’t NEED a really good camera but…I can’t lie…it does help. Case in point: Here is a photo with my point and shoot Canon PowerShot SX130IS.
It is a fine picture. On macro mode it is a fairly crisp shot for a hand held “no tripod” photo. The direct sunlight coming into the room made that possible. Now…here is what I can get with my Canon 40D DSLR and an f/2.8 macro lens.
Same light, no tripod. This is the difference between a point and shoot and a DSLR. You will just get more.
It is also important to note that while a good camera gives you more, the most expensive camera does not necessarily give you the most. My lovely husband surprised me this Mother’s Day with my dream camera. I had that baby unpacked and in my camera bag ready for the next days photo shoot as fast as my little fingers could manage it. While it is amazing and works like a dream in low light performance and theater shooting, it is not the best to use for doll photography. I still prefer my tried and true Canon 40D for my doll photography and I really don’t see that changing any time soon.
Silkstone and Fashion Royalty Repaints both done by Jon Copeland. Silkstone is wearing A little Moonlight by Randall Craig. Repainted FR Anja is wearing “Serenade in Satin” by Mattel. The hat was made by me.
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 
What a great blog entry, I enjoyed the photos and the text. Jon’s dolls come alive in your hand.
June 9, 2013 at 7:11 am
Awww! Thank you Micheal. 🙂
June 11, 2013 at 8:51 am
Rebecca, Of course your photography is great. The photo composition of the Silkstone…..fricking!!!!! great. Her repaint, dress, hair ornament…..All superb. I think I have been staring at that screen for 10 minutes. Not too bad for just a point and shot ….LOL
June 9, 2013 at 7:25 am
🙂 Thank you so much Don. I love my Canon 40D. I enjoy my point and shoot and I am able to do quite a bit with it but I LOVE my Canon. Yes….I probably need therapy for that LOL!
June 11, 2013 at 8:53 am
Thank you for the info on cameras, I am soo in the market and might have to try something better than my Canon powershot, oy!! I love your photos, that third picture is what I would love to achieve, soft, not over brilliant, just perfect, natural and true to real, you know right?
Thanks for always sharing your wonderful talents, you are not only gifted, but giving, love love
Brenda
June 9, 2013 at 8:29 am
Wow!! Now that is a compliment coming from you ( she who does all things 1/6 scale so very, very well). Take your time researching cameras. There are so many amazing options to choose from. I love the 40D for doll, portrait and small product photography. I have also seen some amazing images out of the Canon Rebel line.
June 11, 2013 at 9:11 am
Educational, lovely and nice hat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 9, 2013 at 10:28 am
🙂 Thank you Peter! I am kind of proud of that little hat.
June 11, 2013 at 9:13 am
Beautiful photos,so real.
June 9, 2013 at 12:46 pm
Thank you Leslie! It is so easy to take photos of something so beautiful. I have to give that credit to the artist Jon Copeland.
June 11, 2013 at 9:14 am
Lovely picture!You captured the beautiful blue eyes of anja! And the Silkstone well the nostalgic beauty always pretty
June 9, 2013 at 1:54 pm
Thank you so much! I love taking photos in natural light. Unfortunately, that is not always possible in the Pacific Northwest where I live. We have rain and clouds most of the year.
June 11, 2013 at 9:15 am
Will you please come and be my new best friend! We can set up rooms, dress dolls, you can take fabulous pictures-teach me a thing or two!!! My husband will take you on the boat and we can all drink wine!! You give us all such inspiration with your pictures and rooms for dolls, but some of us need help!! Hilda and Judy can vouch for me- I’m nice really I am!!
Just lovely lovely pictures!!
Lori
June 9, 2013 at 2:53 pm
Heeehee! You have a boat?!!! Of course I will be your new best friend. 🙂 When you live in or around Seattle, the joke is “Get a friend with a boat. That way you can enjoy the boat without having to do the maintenance of the boat” Actually, an afternoon of fun doll time followed by time on the water with wine sounds like the perfect day to me. Just let me know when and where 🙂 Thank you so much for the lovely and witty comment Lori. They are very much appreciated.
June 11, 2013 at 9:26 am
Lovely just lovely………
June 9, 2013 at 4:35 pm
Thank you so much Suzanne!
June 11, 2013 at 9:26 am