A Windy Day at Westmoor
I discovered that the apartment managers keep a couple of spare wheelchairs on hand for the residents that might need one. Athough I would be hesitant to take one off the property (just in case someone really did need one), I did borrow one to take Feodora out to the back yard and patio for an afternoon shoot.
"But first, a word from our sponsor!" Some of the residents put bird seed and corn out for the local wildlife. It is difficult for me to comprehend, but deer actually make it this far into the city. Here is a picture of one feeding almost right outside my apartment.
Back to the business at hand. There is quite a large back yard for the residents. One of the guys is attempting to keep a small circle of grass short for a putting green. There are some park benches along the walkway. On the patio there is a picnic table and a small wrought iron table and chair set.
Feodora was out getting some fresh air. It was quite windy when I did the photo shoot. I had one of my umbrellas low on a light stand to use as a reflector. Once I got Feodora into position, I used the wheelchair to brace the light stand.
I only took out the white hat, purse, sunglasses, and the studio hairbrush. As luck would have it, I only had the chase down the hat a couple of times.
At he far end of this walkway on both sides are two small gardens. There is a small tool shed at the very end.
Here you can see the wind blowing Feodora's hair. I make judicious use of the hairbrush. The lady that I contacted to rent the apartment said that she saw us doing the shoot on the patio. I told a few people that she came from Vladivostok, Russia.
A couple of the residents asked about using this model instead of a live model. I told them about the costs involved with shooting live models and the scheduling problems. I added that these models will not perspire in the heat of summer or get goosebumps in the chill of late autumn or winter.
I mentioned that I started with inflatables, and that I acquired Feodora through the help of "my online friends". I also passed out a few of my homemade business cards. They have the web address of this website.
Most of the residents did not know that I had a model, or that I would have her at the apartment for photo shoots. Those who came out to the patio while I was there did not know that she is not a real woman. :) One fellow said that she was too young to live here.
One lady said that she was standing by the door for a long time. She did not want to come out and disturb the model while I was doing the shoot.
I only moved Feodora these couple of times. I did not want to interfere with the comings and goings of the other residents, and I did not want them to think I was taking over the patio, even for a little while.
One of the guys joked about a female resident. He said that he found someone younger and prettier than her. Luckily, she was not there when he said that!
The wind helped to create some dramatic shots by tossing Feodora's hair around.
I bought some Doritos and Mountain Dew for the "End of the World" party, but Feodora said that she would rather have sweet tea for the shoot. It got warm while I was fiddling around with the camera, so I had to trade it for a cold one by the time we went back inside.
People use a "voice" when they want something. You can tell they are going to ask for something by the sound of this "voice". Feodora started to use it when I brought her in from the patio. I thought she might be getting ready to hit me up for a shopping trip. The conversation went something like this:
Feodora: "Was this a good shoot today?"
noquiexis: "Yes, this was pretty good! I can use a lot of the pictures!"
Feodora: "Was I a good model for you, even through the wind blew my hair all around?"
noquiexis: "You were an excellent model! The wind actually helped create some of the better pictures!"
Feodora: "Then can we do something special today?"
noquiexis: (Thinking: 'Here comes the shopping trip.' ) "What would you like to do today?"
Feodora: "Can we go see Davecat?" (One of my online friends. We met him recently.)
noquiexis: "You know, I should have seen that one coming!" (I seriously think Feodora has a crush on Davecat!)
There were 147 images in this set. I put 37 images in Feodora's gallery. Most of the ones that I did not post were different angles of the same pose with the same props in place.
Feodora's other photo shoots can be accessed from this index.
Feodora Verochka Tychovich is a life-sized platinum-cured silicone rubber doll. She was produced by Oleg Bratkov (a gifted sculptor) and his beautiful wife Irina (excellent makeup artist), at Anatomical Doll in Vladivostok, Russia. Feodora has Face 3 and Body 3 of their product line. She has a fully articulated skeleton and can pose in most natural ways that a human can pose. There are 'stops' on the skeleton that prevent her from posing in unnatural ways. This also helps to prevent damage to the silicone.
She is wearing the White Button-Down Top, the Comfort Waist White Pant, the Open Weave Floppy Hat, the Aviator Sunglasses, the Heart of the Crusade Pin, the Scroll Cuff Watch, and the Goldtone Marquise Ring, all from Avon. Her White Stag ballet flats are from Wal Mart. Her wig (from Forever Young), necklace and earrings were given to her by Irina at Anatomical Doll.
For more information, e-mail:
noquiexis@toast.net
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