I googled for definitions of "naturally" and I found: by nature; by natural character or ability; without artificial aid; realistically.
Of course, nothing about my BJD boys is natural. They're not alive, not real, they do not speak, eat or sleep. They are perfect models. They don't complain. But when I look at my photographs of the boys, I think, how natural do they look? Because I do want them to look natural. I know they aren't real but I want them to look real. To look life-like. To not look like dolls.
This is an attempt at a more natural portrait. No white background. No perfect pose. No perfect light. I wanted Wish to look as if he was in a natural environment, as if he just happened to be looking that way when I snapped a shot. Nothing dramatic, nothing particularly cool. Nothing unnatural.
Then again, isn't every photograph unnatural? Isn't every photograph, whatever the subject, an unnaturally frozen moment of time? Aren't photographers supposed to think about perspective and lighting, to follow the rule of thirds, to make sure the exposure is just right, to see where more shadow or more highlight is needed, to compose and frame a shot so that anything that interferes with it being an aesthetically pleasing image is not included?
Ack. If Santa doesn't bring me an OFF switch for my brain next Christmas, I'm going to hold a reindeer hostage.
Hahahaha!! I wouldn't mind if I could take a reindeer hostage, would be a fantastic subject ¦).
This is a fantastic shot indeed. Everything about it - the composition, lighting, pose, accessory/clothing, Focus/DOF, all what makes a captivating portrait. Great shot Livia - fav!
@wahyusp He's a BJD which stands for ball-jointed doll. Mine are all about 60cm tall but there are BJDs much smaller or bigger in size. Ball-jointed dolls are made of polyurethane resin, handcast and handstrung. They are anatomically correct, highly posable and customizable. You can google for more information and sites on BJDs. There are lots of beautiful photos of these dolls out there!
Well I messed this up...I thought your he was a she and a very beautiful she!! Never turn that brain of yours off....it is creative and wonderful! Loved your commentary and found it to be spot on! Wonderful photo with a very natural twist! :-)
With the face being a bit in the shadow, I find the shot very intimate, and thus, the face seems more alive/humanized. After looking longer I noticed the focus is on the clothes and not on the face. Don't know if it's done on purpose. In theory it's a technical mistake but it works very well as it is, it adds to the mystery of the look!
I met a girl at brooks institute that had dolls just like these.
I always thought it was so neat.
So many more possibilities when your model is the size of your hand.
I like what Bill Brandt said; "Photography is not a sport. It has no rules. Everything must be dared and tried!” - Photography to me is seeing the world through my eyes or brain. Since the camera does not always capture what I see, I use the computer to tweak my image until it matches what I saw or at least close to it. To me that is Natural. Now you have me thinking too deep for my first weekend day. BTW, nice shot. They are amazing and very expressive.
I'm roaring laughing at the reindeer hostage scenario Livia - great photo by the way - it's a gorgeous pose and portrait. Lucky you are surrounded by these compliant models.
This works, Livia. Very natural look here . . love the real background and Wish looks more "in this world!" Your comment was billiant. So many photographers now just want to make their photos look perfect . . and there is no such thing. The subject that one takes will always be in that "moment" as you said. I try to keep my pics as close to that as I can. I'm more into SOOC than anything. If I want a painting, I'll go back to watercolor. :)
@gypsylady Some BJDs do fit in the palm of your hand but many are 60cm tall or taller. That's about 2 feet. My boys are that height. And pretty heavy. 8)
@buttercup Yes, they are all boys but they look androgynous to most and downright girly to some. It's probably because the Japanese company that made these sculpts tends to do them in a style that is very similar to anime, with soft contours and big eyes. But there are many BJD companies out there who do very different styles and I have seen very masculine ones, with strong jawlines and chins and smaller, more realistic eyes. Even their bodies are sculpted to look much more muscled and sinewy. I just happen to like this particular style of BJD, so all my boys look... pretty. 8D
your words are so interesting.
good thinking.
follow the rules or go natural
it is good to see things through your eyes
just the way you want us too see it.
LOL at holding a reindeer hostage. Love your work and reading your thoughts, you totally nailed the natural 'look'. And totally agree, natural is really just another look the photographer wants to portray most of the time. I think there are exceptions where natural shots are captured (often these are snaps too).
i think you have achieved exactly what you were after with this pic! Its so pretty, i love the small amount of soft background, fave for me!! (oh love his necklace too!!)
Thank you so much, everyone! So glad you all enjoyed seeing this shot. Looks like I can rope in a few accomplices in my plan to hold a reindeer hostage. Heh.
Lovely shot! I think you have a natural sense of what makes a good photograph, of the composition and the play of light. Either that or you are a pro in disguise.
This is a fantastic shot indeed. Everything about it - the composition, lighting, pose, accessory/clothing, Focus/DOF, all what makes a captivating portrait. Great shot Livia - fav!
wow, thanks for the info... :)
I always thought it was so neat.
So many more possibilities when your model is the size of your hand.
good thinking.
follow the rules or go natural
it is good to see things through your eyes
just the way you want us too see it.
I don't know about all those rules, they are there to be broken. Lovely perspective in this shot.
Again, thank you!