So lately I’ve been reading everyone’s psys (that’s short for “photostories”). There are great ones out there and not so great ones. So I have been thinking it over… what does it take to make a great psy?
Is it the diorama and scene set up?
I’ve seen lots of psys that have like… TOOOOONS of junk in the photos. Anything that might be slightly 1/6th scale is in there. Fridge magnets, kitchen littles, re-ments, barbie crap etc. They make for a good set up if used properly. For example, take robing’s Roville photostories:
In the episode “Gia Invites Cade to Dinner” we get to look inside of Gia’s house were there’s a very classy set up. We get a small tour of the apartment as Gia gets ready for her date. There are all sorts of goodies in her house, some seem to be thrown in there just for display but the thing is, robing never overdoes it. It’s just *enough* to show the reader that Gia is a classy, well to do kinda gal just from her living style.
There are other some times in psys when there’s TOO many props and I feel it’s cluttered or the author is just showing off (ie. “Look what I’ve got! Neener, neener!”)… When I look at a photo and I can’t tell what I’m supposed to be looking at, that’s when it becomes a problem. Also, avoid “pizza shots”.
Photos (especially more than one in any given story) that don’t really serve a purpose but to neener-neener your props at everyone. Miniatures don’t look that great close up, because they loose their realism when you can see the plastic-y shine on them. Avoid that all together and keep the closeups on the doll faces, not the props.
In conclusion more is not a bad thing. It’s nice to see a story where the scene is set up before you so it doesn’t leave question for exactly what’s going on or where the dolls are at. However, that’s not to say that you can’t do a psy with few props or none at all. There’s also a cleanliness to a minimalistic psy that also goes over well. I suppose here the thing to keep in mind is this: If you have props, use them and use them well. Don’t just throw them in the picture to have them. If they don’t work, don’t use it. Keep it clean and simple.
** All images above are copyright of their respective owners. The usage on this blog is for example purposes only. **
4 Comments
Hmm, a very in-depth and informative analysis.
I think you made some very good points. Although I haven’t noticed it much before, the “Neener Neener” concept definitely makes sense to me.
If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought that the “Gia invites Cade” scene was done using life-size mannequins in a department store!
I’ll keep this article in mind when I begin doing my own photostories n_n
Oh and 500 cool points for the Hanna Barbara character reference ;D Xp
Ha, Ha, I like the Snagglepuss voice thing. Great tips on staging. Remember less is more!
Hey Nat, I found what you said interesting. I know Robin and I have to agree with everything you said. She’s always been good since she started. Someone else you should Google is Cheridoll. She rocks it too. Her and Robin build their own sets, buy minis for their sets, and have two distinctly different stories that just pull you in. Check it out when you get a chance. I know you will like.
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