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Mirror, Mirror, and Other Household Objects - by Vin Part 2 (April 2006) Welcome to Part 2 of this discussion, Divas And Divos! If you missed the first part of this discussion, you can click HERE for PART 1. Let's talk about Room settings. Here I add more 'furnishings' via the tables made from the mirror tops/candlesticks... You can see how I utilize my OTT Lite...for close ups I bring the light just above the subject...for the pan-outs (wider shots) I bring the light a bit further away to illuminate more! Here we go... Here you can see a setting of Isha's bedroom... The bureau is a 1.99 chest of drawers from Christmas Tree Shops - I covered the drawer fronts with scrap book paper. On top is a picture frame beaded that I picked up for under 6.00 at Home Goods and glued a small square mirror in the center. The round ornate mirror was a Tree Ornament for 5.00! I took the little screw holder and string off the top and it makes a perfect Diorama accent! The candlestick Bistro table created to match the Iron IKEA chair! 5.99 at Ikea! Isha in her sitting room, taken from an angle. Always walk around your 'diorama to utilize all the different angles for interest! Yet another angle... You can see the drapery (sheer table runner - draped on the plexi cube/display also) around the Mirror to create the 'window' look again. Panning in... Isha lounges... Angling the camera slightly MORE above the shot/subject... Panning In again.. Closer still... A shorter pillar holder and a mirror becomes a cocktail table... This last room segment has Adele modeling in a very monochromatic sitting room...notice the objects used enjoy! (Adele relaxes with her 'ciggie'... I dont promote smoking at all...but it adds a touch of old hollywood glamour for the shots! lol) Utilizing Barbie seating and silvery objects...I created another monochromatic room setting...The armoire you see is another 3-D frame/storage object I picked up in the CAPE...my most expensive diorama additon was 17.00 but worth it...I put a swatch of fabric in the 'frame' center wrapped around the glass...I can put artwork or even another mirror in its place to change the look! Here you can see where our silver and violet theme comes together...the candle pedestal table with mirror top/the FF Barbie ottoman/The silver candlesticks from the FR cocktail table accessories...and a white 'fur' rug from Walmart for 1.99! Close up of table top accessories. Candlesticks/rement imported beer and mug from FR. CD cases and perfume bottles from My Scene Barbie: A LaBoutique Home Decor Pillow adds a touch of animal print contrast You can see how the drapery adds shimmer to the shots also...sheer fabric remnant from JoAnnes for a 1.19 for a yard/and a half! More shimmer...Hallmark Babs Shoe ornaments... gives a touch of detail to the diorama: You can see how the mirror's architectural detail adds to the room setting. On top of the Armoire is a flat screen 'TV' from a FF set in 'silver' and violets again! AND WHOOPS...you can see my camera in this shot!!! lol Violet and Silvers and that b/w LaBoutique pillow are a perfect compliment ... Ok...hope you gals & guys get a pretty good idea of how to utilize mirrors and shimmery objects...and to create more depth and dimension. Here are a few random shots...some new/some older classix so you can see what I mean. Have fun! The background again becomes part of the shot...notice Kyori's cocktail table is a rotating display base from FR event 2004: Background mirror again, becomes a window for your setting. Pan out so you can see that rotating display base! Here is more of that mirror in the background... Its interesting I think because of its shape: Same location but that smaller 11inch tall mirror becomes part of the diorama hanging on the wall...looks more in scale with the dolls by only showing a corner. Closeup... Something new... Wanna know how!?!?! I used a coffee table style book I picked up for 5.99... It's the Mary Engelbreit Leading the Artful life Home Companion Book ( ISBN # 0 7407 0997 6) Just set it up -- secure the book and hide the text on adjoining pages. I used my OTT lite/light source. Position your model in front and check your camera frame / angel. Take a few shots as a test and try different light sources. This concludes my diorama discussion for today. I hope you all had as much fun as I had in preparing this lesson! Thanks so much, all you divas/divos! I hope you will share some of your displays and photos...just have fun playing! Hugs, Vin