Valley of the Paper Dolls


“You’ve got to climb Mount Everest to reach the Valley of the Dolls. It’s a brutal climb to reach that peak. You stand there. Waiting for the rush of exhilaration; but, it doesn’t come. You’re alone and the feeling of loneliness is overpowering.” ― Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann

Photography Challenge: Turn a Scene Into a Photo Planet (Part 3)

I had so much fun with this experiment previously that I decided to try it again!

This time around I photographed a set of vintage paper dolls set against a background of vintage, striped fabric.

The dolls were a thrift store find (thanks, mom!), and each has her name hand-written on the back. I guess their previous owner named them Ann, Gail, Sue, and Kate!

This challenge required the application and fine-tuning of the Polar Coordinates Photoshop filter to make a regular image spherical.

Instead of turning a landscape into a photo planet with this technique as photographers generally do I wanted to play with repeating patterns for a more kaleidoscopic effect.

9 thoughts

  1. I love this image with The Valley of the Dolls quote. You captured that sensation of spinning out on drugs and life and self. Great use of a technique to bring new meaning to these images!

  2. Well done! You always make the best use of your Photoshop skills. I love the retro paper dolls. Your kaleidoscopic effect makes it look like they’re going down-the-drain.spin. The special effect on the background fabric reminds me of psychedelic 1960’s themes. This follows the Valley of the Dolls theme.

Leave a Comment