Seen on Studio Commissary

"What a difference flash makes," said Vicki Walker, who posted these identical images of Ivy Jordan. In the first, no flash was used.  The immediate difference one sees are highlights and shadows but there is much more.
I'm guessing her camera was on Automatic. When a camera reads the available light (even when using flash), it will adjust the length of exposure and aperture opening to properly light the subject. The longer a shutter stays open or the wider the aperture, the greater the effect on sharpness of the image.  With a camera that's not on a tripod, there is more of an opportunity for a blurry photo.
I'm trying to explain this simply but I realize that many will not understand the relationship between shutter speed, aperture opening and the like. These images speak volumes.
The reason I think these photos are so important is that many collectors are afraid of using flash. There are many more reasons to be afraid of not using enough light or only using existing light.

Focus is soft, distracting spots of light and shadow on nose, chin and chest, eyes are dark.

Face is beautifully clear, eyes have enough light, highlights on hair sparkle, vinyl and dress fabric look like their actual color, overall sharpness is very good.

The only issue in this photo is the shadow cast by the flash behind the doll, but that is a topic I cover in my next FDQ article.

If you blinked, you missed it.

Quick as a wink, two new Sybarites were posted on the Superfrock.com site and were sold. Gone. I never even got to see good pictures of them. There are four dolls in this wave - two are evil and two are good. The two that disappeared this morning are DeHood and Heroette.

I just know that in a few days I will see one or both of them offered for twice the price with the lame excuse that the poor buyer just got some car repair bills, needs a new roof and can't keep the doll. I'd like to see them just come out and say that they beat out the other speculators. Just sell it and quit the lies.

Images from the site.

A friend was able to capture these images and graciously sent them to me.

New and Old

"Live together in perfect harmony."

Talc in a wig by Cheryl Wood, dressed in Picnic Magnet lounges on her new chaise.
She's got such a bored look on her face.

Remember this beauty?

Fierce Subject Kyori is now on her third body having been switched recently to a FR2 Elise body. She is wearing most of Agnes' Silver Zinger fashion. The shoes are from the new FR shoe pack. They fit the FR2 foot perfectly.

 

The jewelry was handmade by a designer in Great Britain and the handbag is one of four from a very early fashion called La Petite Robe Noire. This set came with one black sheath, four handbags, four pairs of shoes and a chiffon scarf. It (probably) came with rhinestone studs, a bracelet and sunglasses. Fashion Royalty sets were amazing in the "olden" days. Nothing was missing or skimped on. Retail price in 2004 was $38.99.

 Kyori has a timeless sculpt and I certainly hope it's never changed. Like Vanessa and Veronique, there will never be a better Kyori.

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Knave of Hearts - Again

This doll looks adorable in everything I put on her. She's definitely a favorite. Her outfit is a mixture of Antoinette items. The two red dogs are hand felted items.

Playing with her every day for the past 4 days reminds me of when I started collecting. I would get one doll at a time and take time to really play and change outfits and photograph. I have so many dolls now that practically never see the light of day and I'm not talking about the ones in boxes. I'm complaining?
Ridiculous, isn't it?

I used to wonder at collectors that had dolls in boxes because I deboxed everything. Not anymore. Not because I don't want to but because I don't have anywhere to put them. I'm hoping that by the time we move and I set up a new doll room, I still like what's in the boxes. I'm thinking about selling part of what's boxed.

Seen on Prego

This is Zahira, a OOAK pale Devon. Photographed by Michael Hawaii. She takes my breath away!

Link to original post.

Another picture posted by Michael prior to the one above:

For those who are not familiar with Devon, click here.

Horsman Warehouse Sale on Now

If you need some very fine furniture  seating for your dolls, head on over to www.horsmanltd.com and check out their clearance items. I picked up this French Chaise in sage to go with my two sage French Chairs.

Retail price is usually $90. but with 40% off it drops to $54. If you purchase $250. or more you can have free shipping. Otherwise you will pay about $11.50 for UPS plus your state sales tax. Even after the shipping and sales tax the chair cost me a good deal less than I would have paid at retail.
The quality of these pieces is superb! The chaise comes with a matching pillow. The French chairs do not.

The reason I chose the sage pattern is that I didn't want solid black because it shows every tiny piece of dust and lint. The other color, blue, is not exactly my taste. This is neutral and works in many settings. Above you can see Dasha leaning on the back of one of the French chairs. Although scaled for 16" dolls, if set up properly they can work with smaller dolls as well. Dasha is 12" tall. There are items for the smaller dolls, too.

I had this in my shopping cart but thankfully changed my mind before I was done. I love pink but it's so specific.  It does come in white and black.

There's lots more seating options and, of course, you can see Urban Vita and Rini there as well.

Click here to check out the offerings.