Photos

So Louisa or Wedge? How would you like to be referred to in this interview for Photograview?

I would like Wedge please. I like to think that if I ever become successful enough to end up on Wikipedia, I’d be known as Wedge.

Can you tell me a how you arrived at the name Wedge for your self? Please tell me there was a school locker involved…

Haha no, but there was a fence and a tree, a bed and a wardrobe and some other stuff… I basically started being called Wedge by my friends when I was 14 or so as I got wedged inbetween stuff. Not through being obese or anything, just insanely clumsy .

I came across your photography through Flickr’s Interesting feature. Has the flickr community embraced your Blythe Doll photography?

I think so. There are lots of other Blythe photographers, hundreds of them in fact, so any attention I get is mainly from them. I’m always surprised if I get a comment or a favourite from someone who isn’t interested in dolls.

Can you tell me what attracted you to photographing Blythe Dolls?

I found them by accident on Ebay and they just seemed so strange, with their giant heads and eyes. I then ended up buying one about a year later as I wanted to animate it. A lot of things get bought for this reason… but somehow it ended up with me photographing her, then it just went a bit insane…

Can you tell us a little bit more about the Blythe Doll photography phenomena?

I’m not really sure what to say, other than it’s kind of crazy. I think it catches people out. You never think that you’ll ever be the kind of person to collect dolls, but then you see Blythes and they look so strange that you just can’t help but look into them more. Then once you start collecting Blythes and you get into the doll community, you notice other types of dolls too, for example Pullip dolls, Momokos or Lati dolls etc… But basically, it’s just a fun way to waste some free time. 

I’ve read your currently in school for animation. What school are you attending?

I go to the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham.

Many of your photographs have a realistic approach to them. How long does it take on average to set up one of your shots?

With Blythes it’s easy to just photograph their faces and not worry too much about the background, so they can be taken instantly. But with the smaller dolls it can take over an hour sometimes to set up all the mini furniture and objects. Then you realise you actually can’t remember what you intended to do in the first place… 

How many pictures would you say you take to find “the perfect one”?

It’s usually at least 150, you just have to try every angle to try and get them looking the most real or interesting.

How many Blythe Dolls do you own and have you named them all?

Haha, yeah, all my dolls have names. I have 9 Blythes, but I think I’ve had about 15 maybe? 

Switching gears here a little bit. What type of camera gear do you use?

I use a Canon EOS 400D with just the lens it comes with as I’ve still not got round to buying a macro lens. I also use a wide angle lens but that’s no good with dolls.

So do you plan on upgrading your gear over the next year and if so what do you have your eyes on?

No I don’t think so, unless it involves a macro lens. Now I have to save up for animation equipment and such. Plus I’m happy with my camera and it took long enough to get the first time round.

Have you sold any prints of your work?

I have, but through the most money-pinching website ever. I have made the grand total of £3.85! I kick ass.

How much post editing in photoshop do you use on average?

I usually just alter the curves and colour balance. I’m no expert with what I’m doing, so I just do something to make it look a little bit nicer or more defined.

If you can hope to leave one impression with your photographs what would that be?

That you can make inanimate things look real.

Linkage:

• Wedge Prints (buy prints from her)
• The Wedge Store (shirts, mugs, buttons etc all sold by her)
• Wedge of Wonder (personal blog)
• Wedge on Flickr (her flickr photostream) 

Thank You, Wedge! It has be a pleasure to interview you. I hope you enjoy the article and continue reading the interviews to come. Sincerely, Greg Wilker