Raven
Canon 20D. Yellowstone 2006
Friday, December 29, 2006
Picture of the Day: Netsuke
This photo is just me playing around with my flashes and Canon 5D. This item is known as a netsuke, which is a small sculpture that had practical uses as a knot-end. It prevented items on a cord (that acted like a belt) from falling off as you wore your kimono .
Netsuke
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Picture of the Day: Cougar in Captivity
Cougar
There are many big cats, like this one, who live in rescue shelters all over the U.S. Some are former pets whose "owners" realized they can't ever be domesticated. Some are illegally bred. And some can't be released back into the wild.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Friday, December 22, 2006
Friday, December 15, 2006
The 'Perfect' Model
There is a certain phenomenon occurring in some of the anime and cosplay circles that warrant a spin off subculture. This new subculture deals with Resin Ball-joined Dolls (known as BJDs) that are predominately made by Asian companies in Korea and Japan.
These aren't your little Barbie or GI Joe dolls that you had as a kid. These are serious dolls that are completely articulated, anatomically correct, and cost a few hundred dollars (upwards to a few thousand for the Limited Version) for a naked doll.
They stand anywhere from 5" to 16" tall, and often come with their own line of clothes, shoes, wigs, eyes, and other accessories. Their faces are hand-painted, and many face or body artists are sought after. There's even a sub market of home-grown enterpenuers who cater to the BJD owners by making custom clothes. No, these aren't meant for kids at all.
BJD owners often have several dolls (if they can afford it), and these resin-kids get royally spoiled by their parent. And, it's not just females who own these dolls; there are a fair number of guys who also own their own BJDs (and no, they aren't gay).
Now, before you think these BJD owners are a little insane, consider other types of collectors...anyone who will spend a few hundred dollars for a rare coin, stamp, or other collectable goodie. These owners adore, care, love and really enjoy their resin kids. And, financially, these dolls can be worth quite a bit; with extreme limited editions reselling for a few hundred over their initial resale value...IF you can get a beloved owner to even part with their BJD.
But the BJD owners don't just keep their dolls in glass cases to look at on the shelf. These resin kids are taken to BJD meetups, parties, and other get togethers. They are handled very carefully, but they are 'played' with, lovingly, by their owners.
Now, what has this got to do with photography?
Since many of my friends have their own BJDs, I've gotten first hand looks at their resin kids, and frankly, they are often the most perfect model (as the name of this entry suggests). You don't need to worry about makeup, they come with their own wardrobe, and will stand still for you for minutes at a time without moving. Plus, they don't complain, and won't charge you for modeling time.
I haven't yet succumbed to purchasing a BJD (in spite of my friends trying), as I'm still working to get a lot of my own studio set up in order. So, in the meantime, I borrow a friend and their BJD for a day for their own photoshoot. Neither the friend or the BJD mind too much. :-)
These aren't your little Barbie or GI Joe dolls that you had as a kid. These are serious dolls that are completely articulated, anatomically correct, and cost a few hundred dollars (upwards to a few thousand for the Limited Version) for a naked doll.They stand anywhere from 5" to 16" tall, and often come with their own line of clothes, shoes, wigs, eyes, and other accessories. Their faces are hand-painted, and many face or body artists are sought after. There's even a sub market of home-grown enterpenuers who cater to the BJD owners by making custom clothes. No, these aren't meant for kids at all.
BJD owners often have several dolls (if they can afford it), and these resin-kids get royally spoiled by their parent. And, it's not just females who own these dolls; there are a fair number of guys who also own their own BJDs (and no, they aren't gay).
Now, before you think these BJD owners are a little insane, consider other types of collectors...anyone who will spend a few hundred dollars for a rare coin, stamp, or other collectable goodie. These owners adore, care, love and really enjoy their resin kids. And, financially, these dolls can be worth quite a bit; with extreme limited editions reselling for a few hundred over their initial resale value...IF you can get a beloved owner to even part with their BJD.
But the BJD owners don't just keep their dolls in glass cases to look at on the shelf. These resin kids are taken to BJD meetups, parties, and other get togethers. They are handled very carefully, but they are 'played' with, lovingly, by their owners.
Now, what has this got to do with photography? Since many of my friends have their own BJDs, I've gotten first hand looks at their resin kids, and frankly, they are often the most perfect model (as the name of this entry suggests). You don't need to worry about makeup, they come with their own wardrobe, and will stand still for you for minutes at a time without moving. Plus, they don't complain, and won't charge you for modeling time.
I haven't yet succumbed to purchasing a BJD (in spite of my friends trying), as I'm still working to get a lot of my own studio set up in order. So, in the meantime, I borrow a friend and their BJD for a day for their own photoshoot. Neither the friend or the BJD mind too much. :-)
Monday, December 11, 2006
Cougars
Several weeks ago, I got a chance to briefly visit with my father, who runs a big cat rescue organization. My dad & his wife take in cougars and other cats that would be otherwise destroyed because their owners kept them illegally, they were abused, or their owners decided that they could no longer keep a cougar as a "pet" (despite the fact that these magnificent animals are not pets!!!).
No zoo will take these cats for fear of contaminating their own population, nor can these animals be let out into the wild again. There are two choices for these animals: death or life in a rescue organization.
Their most recent addition is a two-month old cub named Tonka. The cougar shown above is Sheeno. These animals are magnificent creatures, but require a lot of care, feeding, and vetinary care. They do this out of love and respect for these creatures.
Right now, my dad gets very little in terms of outside funding. He and his wife, Erika, fund their rescue org straight out of their private pockets. They spent the better part of five years training and apprenticing, and making sure they could provide a good home to these types of cats.
In terms of costs, each cat eats up to 5-10lbs of raw meat per day. It takes about $1400 a year to feed two adult cougars. They have a vet who reduces her prices for them, but it still adds up.
Their organization, Yahtok'ya Animal Sanctuary, is non-profit in the state of Florida, but, unfortunately, not in the overall U.S.
If you want to help and can afford it, please consider making a donation to them. All proceeds go directly to the cats. They do not make a profit by running this organization.
No zoo will take these cats for fear of contaminating their own population, nor can these animals be let out into the wild again. There are two choices for these animals: death or life in a rescue organization.
Their most recent addition is a two-month old cub named Tonka. The cougar shown above is Sheeno. These animals are magnificent creatures, but require a lot of care, feeding, and vetinary care. They do this out of love and respect for these creatures.Right now, my dad gets very little in terms of outside funding. He and his wife, Erika, fund their rescue org straight out of their private pockets. They spent the better part of five years training and apprenticing, and making sure they could provide a good home to these types of cats.
In terms of costs, each cat eats up to 5-10lbs of raw meat per day. It takes about $1400 a year to feed two adult cougars. They have a vet who reduces her prices for them, but it still adds up.
Their organization, Yahtok'ya Animal Sanctuary, is non-profit in the state of Florida, but, unfortunately, not in the overall U.S.
If you want to help and can afford it, please consider making a donation to them. All proceeds go directly to the cats. They do not make a profit by running this organization.
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