About Ball-Jointed Dolls

 

 

Asian Ball-jointed dolls are my principal photography subjects.

They're not like other dolls, really.

 

Why?

Firstly, because they are realistic. Their features, the details in the sculpt, their true-to-life proportions; everything about them makes them look and feel different from other dolls.

Also, they're not mass-produced. Resin casting (because, yes, they're not plastic ;) )is quite a tricky process, but has its advantages. The texture is really skin-like, feels sturdy and easy to handle.

And, lastly, they are fully customizable.

From their hair to their eyes, including their "faceup" (the painting of their head), their clothes (you can create or order all of these things, so you can express your creativity quite well)

 

That level of fine detail in these dolls and their great posing ability make them a wonderful subject for photography.

 

I like to work with them almost as if they were real-life models, only smaller (and not talking, not moving by themselves... Well, you get the point). But then again, they bring something more than human models.

 

Their articulations are a complete part of the aesthetic I'm trying to achieve. I choose not to conceal them, I even show them as much as I can. They're beautiful pieces of craftsmanship by themselves, so I really want to include them in my pics.

If you want to know more:

 

Wikipedia article

 

BJD Gallery

 

Den Of Angels (forum)