That is the genuine doll, with a FA smile. I used a real costume that I bought from amazon! The background was fake and my daughter actually drew the teapot and cup in a paint program, and I inserted into the picture using layers. I had the hands positioned on the doll ready for the teapot, I just had to rub out some of the fingers on another layer etc for the illusion of her holding it. Of course it's impossible for a doll to hold something that size and weight otherwise.
Today I would just do this pic with AI, but back then it was pretty heavy editing techniques from real photos. More satisfying results when it went well. But the weight of the dolls and the fact they could only stand-up straight without risk of falling, put me off. I like the freedom of action shots and I am going to be doing a lot more video soon.
The art of storytelling is always the same, its the tools that change.
That is the genuine doll, with a FA smile. I used a real costume that I bought from amazon! The background was fake and my daughter actually drew the teapot and cup in a paint program, and I inserted into the picture using layers. I had the hands positioned on the doll ready for the teapot, I just had to rub out some of the fingers on another layer etc for the illusion of her holding it. Of course...
Shoot even with Ai, I find myself going back to the old cut and paste method to correct Ai flubs. Only now I don't have to painstakingly edit pixel by pixel. I can do a rough cut, then give the image back to the Ai to clean up. 🥴