Close-up shots demand lighting that reveals texture and form without creating harsh, unflattering shadows. Start with soft, diffused light and then add controlled accents to sculpt features. A three-point setup works well: a key light at a 30–45 degree angle to the subject, a softer fill on the opposite side to reduce deep shadows, and a rim or backlight to separate the doll from the background. For close-ups, avoid hard direct lighting that flattens details; diffusion is your friend. Use a softbox or large diffuser to wrap light gently over the surface, and consider a light tent or translucent scrim to soften hotspots.
Color temperature matters. Use daylight-balanced lighting around 5200–5600K to keep skin tones natural, especially on silicone or TPE. High color rendering index (CRI 90+) helps ensure subtle skin tones read accurately on camera. A ring light can be useful for even, flat illumination, but mix it with directional key light to preserve depth. Position a reflector beneath the subject to lift shadows gently without flattening features. Keep the background neutral to avoid color spill, and adjust white balance with a neutral gray card for consistency across shots.
Camera settings matter too: shoot at a low ISO, use a mid-range aperture (f/5.6–f/8) for crisp textures, and stabilize with a tripod. Take a few test frames, tweak exposure, and review skin texture under different angles. With thoughtful lighting, close-ups will feel intimate and aesthetically balanced without looking clinical.