FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions by *Woddee on deviantART

FAQ - Your Guide

Feel free to comment here or dev-note me with your questions if it isn't listed on this FAQ. Alternatively if you're feeling shy and anonymous, you can always ask me questions on my formspring - [link] and I'll answer it there (as long it isn't rude or intrudes on my privacy) and update here on this FAQ!

My Photography Gears

Canon 5D Mark II - Company's

Fuji Finepix S100FS - [link]

Hasselblad 500C/M, Carl Zeiss 80mm f2.8 Lens - [link]

Fuji Instax Mini 50s (19th Sept 2010) - [link]

Fuji Instax 210 (17th October 2010) - [link]

Hoya 67mm Close Up Filter Set - +1, +2, +4

Sekonic Flashmate L-308s Light Meter (16th July 2010)

5-in-1 80cm Reflector

Epson Photo Perfection V700 Film Scanner (1st August 2010)

Macbook Pro (Tiger OS); iMac (Snow Leopard) OS

Adobe Photoshop CS 4, CS5.1

Final Cut Pro 6

Photography Tutorial Journals

It may be centred around BJDs/Dolls but it applies to other genres of photography as well. So no harm taking a look.

(NEW!) Organizing your own Photography Exhibition - Part 2: [link]
Organizing your own Photography Exhibition - Part 1: [link]
General Camera and Photography Tips: [link]
Photography Tutorial 1 - Backgrounds: [link]
Photography Tutorial 1 - Backgrounds - PHOTO FEATURE: [link]
Photography Tutorial 2 - Props & Fashion Attire/Accessories: [link]

Photography – Conceptualization, Workflow, Camera Equipment, Editing, Image Policies etc.

Q. What cameras do you use?
A: I own 2 cameras, 1 film and 1 digital. On a constant basis, I use my digital camera, which is the Fuji Finepix S100FS. I like to stress that IT IS NOT A dSLR. It is a prosumer camera but it is often mistaken as a dSLR thanks to its design and functions. I can say that it even rivals entry-level dSLRs.

My film camera, the Hasselblad 500C/M, is a medium-format film camera. I use it sparingly because:

1. Film is expensive.
2. It is extremely time consuming

I'm actually quite a film person at heart. But at this time and age where time and speed means a lot, I don't have the luxury at times to use my film camera because I like to take things slow and easy to get the shots I want. I'm quite an anal perfectionist LOL.

For my company/work as a full-time wedding photographer, I use my company's Canon 5D Mark II and usually my usual lenses are:
- Canon 24mm f1.4
- Canon 50mm f1.2
- Sigma 50mm f1.4
- Canon 85mm f1.2
- Canon 16-35mm f2.8
- Canon 70-200mm f2.8

Primarily, I use the 24 and 50mm lenses. I'm a prime lens person hahaha.

Q. Can you recommend me a good camera/dSLR? How much does it cost?
A: I'm sorry but I'm not some walking Wikipedia for cameras. If there is one advice I would give, it would be: Never ever assume having the most expensive dSLR would give you amazing results. People naturally assume that if you have a dSLR, you can be an amazing photographer. That isn't true. Photography relies heavily on technical skills and talent. The camera is just a medium to help you amplify those skills. I've seen dSLRS being wasted on young people with simply just too much cash to spare.

It boils down to your needs. Ask yourself questions such as:

- Are you going to turn professional with the camera or is it just a hobby?
- Does your finances permit you to own a dSLR right now?
- Are you picky on noise levels?
- Do you want high ISOs or fast shutter speed?
- Are you okay with a crop-frame or are you more of a full-frame person?
- etc.

Such questions will help you decide on which camera has the functions that will fulfil your needs.

Q. Did you study photography?
A: I had a basic photography 101 module when I was in my first year doing my diploma studies of Film, Sound & Video. It was really basic but it was the start when I realised my love and interest for Photography.

Q. What sort of lighting system or setup do you use when you're shooting?
A: For BJDs/Dolls, I use mostly natural lighting or Ikea house lampshades and spotlights. I don't own any strobes and quite honestly, I do not know how to work them. I come from a film-making background so we mostly deal with hot (constant) or natural lighting.

For human portraiture, cosplay and others, it's mostly natural lighting as well. I don't carry any portable lights or do any strobing/flash.

Q. Where do you usually get your inspirations/ideas from?
A: In the toilet. Okay, it's half a joke. Usually, shoot ideas occur to me at random occasions. I can be taking a shower when suddenly an idea hits me. Or when I see something interesting happening on the streets and an idea would just come popping in my head.

I'm mostly into Fashion, Anime, Manga, Visual Kei, J-rock music, Lolita and Cosplay, so most of ideas are generally influenced and centred around these areas.

To have a rough idea of where my influences came from, here's a visual interpretation with some comments of my influences/inspirations:

Q. Do you prefer indoor or outdoor shoots?
A: Outdoors definitely. I do not mind indoor shoots but sometimes, I feel like a caged animal. I don't like the feeling of being restricted. It limits my options and creativity.

Above all, I hate studio shoots because they're the worst. LOL. Ironically i have to do studio for my work and I terribly suck in it.

Q. Where is this/that location?
A: They're definitely all taken in Singapore. I have never taken photos outside of Singapore before. I want to but I'm too poor to even afford an airplane ticket. So hint hint, i don't mind having a sponsor to sponsor me some air tickets out of this country to take amazing shots

Q. Tell me how did you create this shot! YOU WON'T TELL ME? FINE! YOU'RE SUCH A BITCH!!111 /RAGEEEE
A: I have written some tutorials for the #Ball-Jointed-Dolls group so you feel free to take a look at those tutorials (Links to it are right above on this entry.). It doesn't necessarily apply to dolls only so no harm taking a look at those journal entries. I do share some of my process in doing a shoot in those tutorials so I am not some bitch who doesn't share.

I can teach but the effect may differ from individual to individual. Photography isn't about skills only. It's about having the artistic talent and vision as well. Which i must emphasize that it isn't something you can teach.

Q. You shoot on JPEG or RAW?
A: RAW. It gives me more creative control in my editing. And uncompressed files are always more awesome to work on.

Q. How many photos do you churn out on average for a shoot?
A: For BJDs, it can be as little as 2-3 shots per shoot. For Cosplay, I generally churn out at least 2 solos, one pair, one group for each individual cosplayer, if it's a group. So it ranges around 20-30 photos per shoot and around 4-5 photos per individual cosplayer. I'm quite a mean person because I believe in quality over quantity. I can angst over a shoot for 5 hours in its set up and preparation, only to churn out one good shot. Believe me, I've done that before.

Q. Can you describe your workflow? Like selection of photos, editing etc.
A: After a shoot, I'll upload my photos to my computer. From the thumbnails in the folder, I select the photo that I feel the strongest for. I.E It'll be a photo that I feel that I will probably not be able to sleep if I don't edit it first. There's no strategic way of choosing which photo to edit first. It depends mostly on my emotions and feel.

I usually edit the RAW photos on Adobe Photoshop RAW. I don't have a habit of saving settings because I like to edit base on my emotions for the photo. Once I'm done, I'll open it in Photoshop for some last changes. The bulk of my editing lies in Adobe RAW so I hardly to any editing on photoshop other than to place my watermark.

Q. You've succeeded in having your first solo exhibition before you hit 21. So any plans to release a photo book?
A: I did considered releasing my own photo book. But to be honest, it isn't easy to get sponsors or market for photo book sales. Not unless you're some famous celebrity or superstar photographer.

From a business point of view, investors want to see statistics and numbers. If I can't even produce even preliminary numbers, it's hard to seek funding and sponsorship with lack of persuasion. It's rather grim but I just simply do not have any finances of my own at this point of time to be doing it. It involves a lot of money. And I could really use that money for my future university studies, which is the top of my priority list.

Q. May I use your photos for drawing references?
A: Yes you may, so long as it is not for profit/commercial purposes and you agree that you give clear credit and link back to me. Read my Copyright Notice here: [link] for the full details.

Q. Can I use your photos for my roleplay or story?
A: No.

Q. Can I repost your stuff somewhere else like tumblr, weheartit etc. or use it for icons, avatars or signatures?
A: No. Above all, i hate it when people repost my stuff elsewhere without informing me before hand. It's extremely rude.

Q. Can I use your photos in my story as a form of reference for my own characters or stories based off the photo?
A: No.

Ball-Joint-Dolls (BJDs) Photography

Q. OMG YOUR DOLLS ARE SO BEAUTIFUL!1!1111
A: Having heard this comments thousand and one times, I'll be a mean bitch to say: PLEASE READ WITH YOUR FUCKING EYES THAT I DO NOT OWN ANY DOLLS.

I've had my patience tried and tasted and it really annoys me that people don't read. So you can't blame me for being very mean and rude about it.

Q. Why do you like to shoot dolls so much?
A: They give me less problems and headaches as compared to a human model. And FYI, the dolls have their Diva tempers to deal with at times. It may sound freaky and weird but honestly, having shot BJDs for a long time, i can assure you that they DO have feelings and it shows in the photos.

Q. It's disgusting. The boy dolls don't look like boys. They look like trannies.
A: If you don't like to see it, you can choose to either walk away or bitch on your own ground. It's rude to do so on my page and furthermore, having a slight feminine look is one of the attributes of these dolls. It is definitely 100% male and it is even sculpted in great details at certain areas.