No chance in Center City. Too many people out and about. Sigh. Might as well go home. Took the train for consolation. Got off the train and inspiration hit. Maybe I could do my photo shoot here? The outdoor light was bright and clear. It wasn't too hot. There is a grassy area that would make a great scene. I could set the bikes up as if they were going through the Park. If I slowed down and let the other passengers move off to go about their business, I would have the scenic station to myself. Again, ha!
I was the last off the train. Walked slowly towards the exit, then paused to open my bag. The passengers seemed to have dispersed. Whew. Now is my chance. I whipped out R&D Susie and one of the M&C Toys Power Team guys and the Mattel My Scene Jammin in Jamaica bicycle for two. I tried to set them on the bicycle. Okay, I needed them to squat a little and hold onto the bicycle handles. They wanted to do anything but that. Their feet did not fit into the foot holders. Okay, granted, his feet were too big to fit in them. Her feet were the right size though. Feet in? Now to pose the rest of her just so. Almost there - she is half on the bike. He seems to be straddling his seat. I prop him onto the bike seat. He falls off his perch. I go to pick him up, she falls down. I take a deep breath and try not to growl. Leave those two sprawled atop the bicycle.
Mai. She's a little poser, Mai is. Real trooper. Oh boy did I forget how contrary she can be to pose? Her feet will turn backwards after you think you have her set right. Very loose jointing she has. Sigh. So when I finally set her feet going in the right direction, I did not notice that her hands had turned to an impossible angle. Until after I took the photograph. Sigh. This is NOT a scene from a zombie film. Come on, work with me, Mai. Squat a little to fit the single bicycle. You posed for me before - you and NuFace Lukas - ah, but Lukas is not here. Mai has ornery all over her face.
Then I had the sensation that someone was watching me. Or maybe I saw a movement on the periphery. I looked up. An unknown man was looking at me. I was less alarmed that an unknown man was looking at me than I was pissed that some nosey parker was spying on my directing. And my directing was not going well. My actors and props refused to cooperate. I was getting tired and antsy. God forbid my family or a near neighbor walk by. I would NEVER hear the end of it. "You embarrassed us." "Why do you do these things?" Groan. Could I not have just a few minutes on a clear, sunny day?
Nope. I could not. I glared at the nosey parker and moved my wayward figures to a different spot. Took a few quick photos. Because I was going to have something to show for my efforts. Only I knew I had better end my photo session before nosey parker brought in reinforcements. "See - that's the woman torturing dolls. Lock her up." Sigh.
Here are three photos from that session.
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| A Cycling Nightmare |
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| Susie: I'm not built for this. Terry: Just chill, babe. See? No hands. |
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| Mai: She should have brought Lukas. I don't like this outfit. Who's ornery? |
15 comments:
Hello from Spain: beautiful pictures. I like your collection of bikes. Keep in touch
LOLOL! Okay, I wonder if this is why I've never attempted an outdoor shoot. I do want to and I've been trying to invent an attached body wire for the dolls to stand by themselves without strings or extra stuff. However, I know me and if I'm outside and someone even dares to ask me what I'm doing they are going to get a stink eye and a mouth full of attitude.
I'm sorry for all your difficulties but this post made me laugh so much.
I like the pictures myself! So great job even if it was agonizing.
I have never tried to take my dolls outside, but I keep thinking I should try this year. Your photos turned out so nice and casual, but I believe it was a lot of trouble to get the look.
Ah my dear Dana I can so relate! Though I don't do shoots in public places, I can relate to my characters not wanting to cooperate. ROFL This post was hilarious! Nosey Parker should've been scared! LOL :-)
The bikes are easy it the little kids that wreck you nerves. I love how the photos came out. I like being outside and I don't care who's coming or looking.
Hi Marta, Muff, BlackKitty, Cindi Mortensen, and Brini!
@Marta - aw ... thanks for the compliment. You are too kind ;-)
@Muff - laughing, huh? That's okay. Sniff, sniff. My trials amuse? LOL - glad I shared the story and the photos.
I will say this though, it was fun. In spite of the lack of cooperation from ahem certain 1:6ers and the potential damage to my ahem sparkling character.
@BlackKitty - oh, I would definitely say try an outdoor photo shoot with your dolls. Maybe practice posing them indoors first. (What I should have done. Boing.) I think the photos look better than the ones I do indoors. Natural light helps.
If you do an outdoor shoot, do let us know what happened. You might not encounter any problems. But I won't promise that nothing will or nag.
@Cindi - now I really, really, really appreciate how much time and effort you, Vanessa, Marta, Roxanne, and Robin experience when you set up your playscale scenes. I was almost ready to fuss aloud.
Now Nosey Parker would really have had something to fear then. Surprising, though, isn't it? I mean not so-little, meek-mouse me inspiring fear? Pas du tout. LOL ... well, maybe.
@Brini - oh my bikes don't get off that easy. Nah, the bicycle for 2 would not stand alone even when I put down that kick-thingie. Shrug. But yes, the dolls and action figures are more trouble.
You're right to not care who comes or goes. Maybe I should have asked Nosey Parker for help. Hey Mister - can you hold this up for me?
In spite of your difficulties, your outside photo-taking apprehension, and less than cooperative subjects, the photos are good. I forgot to mentioning the annoying onlooker distraction... So your photos are great. I don't take photos outside in any place except my privacy fenced-in backyard for all the reasons you described.
I did participate in a travel doll event and photographed the doll in several historic places throughout the city, but my husband was with me to ease my outside-with-dolls shyness and to help with the photography.
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Thanks, DBG! Natural light looks great on dolls and action figures. Sigh. I admire and enjoy reading about your doll adventures with your husband. That's so cool how you work together and both get to enjoy the hobby.
How funny. I'm so glad you shared the photos and the experience. The photos turned out really nice. I love both the bikes. I'm surprised you chose to use bikes for your outside shot. These shots are some of the most difficult. Well, we all know how I feel about taking outside shots. I pack up my stuff and go to public parks etc. I love pretending that I'm some big time photographer. I sprawl out on the grass or the pavement, get into those photographer poses, and start snapping away. I think the tendency is to feel like we are being judged. Since I am one who tries not to judge others, I never feel any judgement when I am out there. I have people who stop and chat, but it's always been from a perspective of curiosity or admiration. Thanks again for sharing!
Hi Vanessa! Glad you enjoyed seeing the bikes. I like them best. Your bike post inspired me.
I will channel you and Brini next time I do an outside photo shoot. Go forth and have fun with it ;-D
LOL! Your description of your ordeal is really funny. I can relate. I do enjoy photographing my dolls outside, and I like how the photos turn out. I think you've taken some nice photos here. I want some bikes for my dolls!
In the past, I used to be more shy about photographing my dolls in public. I started out in my fenced back yard. Then moved to a nearby park. It was easier to take dolls out of state, because I knew that I would not run into anyone that I knew. Now I guess I've sort of gotten over it, because I've photographed dolls at my job on several different occasions now. I've had a few strange looks, but nothing overtly rude.
hahaha! Love it. Why I stay hidden indoors. You are so brave! You are my hero! And I know the dollies loved the outing.
Hi RoxanneRoxanne and Roville! Glad you enjoyed reading about my "ordeal." Sniff. But seriously, we all could use a laugh, hey?
@Roxanne - wow, I never thought to take them out of state - my DAFs. Probably because I seldom travel ... still, that is neat that you can act more freely someplace away from your everyday people. I used to have dolls/figures delivered to the last permanent place I worked: some of my co-workers there would ask what had I got. So - on break - I would pick up my package and show whatever I got off. Sigh. Those were dandy days. Pre-blogging so they weren't perfect ;-)
@Ro - aw, treat yourself to a trip outside ;-) I dare ya, ha ha.
Me, brave. Oh, yes. They modified a Tarot card of me: that one shows a medieval dude walking jauntily off a cliff. Ha ha.
Yes, the dollies loved the outing. That Susie just didn't want to ride the bicycle. She'd have happily posed otherwise. Terence - that Power Team guy - would have preferred riding a motorcycle. He thought the bike was girly. (Eye roll.) And Mai was miffed that NuFace Lukas was off somewhere AND annoyed because Terence called her "Little Miss Chaka Khan." Mai didn't like the comparison. (Chaka Khan has/had a full figure.)
I like the idea of the bikes. I think you inspired me to photograph some of my dolls with the bike I have. I am wondering why you dolls are out biking with no shoes! LOL
Hi Knitmachinequeen!
I love the idea of dolls on bikes. Fun. Why the girls do not have shoes? I forgot. No wonder they were not in the mood for cycling. No proper footwear ;-)
Oooohhh ... something to remember next time, lol. Thanks for the notice.
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