Player Photography Gynoid Doll Story : “Love Me or Her”
We are pleased to announce that in the May “Win a Free Sex Doll” event, the work “Love Me or Her” by the Chinese photographer Ai Dajin won first place.
Preface:
The inspiration for this work is adapted from David Tao’s classic song “Love Me or Him” from his 2005 album “The Great Leap.” To convey the essence of “Love Me or Him,” the music video (MV) drew from Eileen Chang’s classic novel “Red Rose, White Rose,” and was thus filmed in both Shanghai and Taipei. The full version of the MV is nine minutes long. In the MV, David Tao plays an office worker who is transferred to Shanghai by his company, forcing him to leave behind his beloved girlfriend, White Rose (played by Lin Ketong). In Shanghai, he meets another love of his life, Red Rose (played by Qu Ying). However, the shadow of White Rose cannot be easily dismissed. The fading, weeping White Rose and the passionately loving, lively Red Rose leave the protagonist in the MV in a dilemma.
Character – White Rose
Mannequin 20R Manna
- Height: 163 cm
- Features: Movable jaw, soft head
- Description:Mixed-race academic achiever, with a princess-like temperament, quiet and elegant.
Character – Red Rose
Mannequin 13R Ruoxi
• Height: 170 cm
• Features: Movable jaw and soft head & implanted hair and hard head
• Description:Supermodel mature woman, able to handle both cold and warmth, freely expressing passion and desire.
Character: Scumbag Short, stout, and anxious
A greasy middle-aged man from Shanghai, over 40 years old.
Shooting Introduction
- This shoot will take place entirely within an apartment setting, spanning a total of 45 days with an average of one photo taken per day.
- All shots will be taken solo, with interactive shooting using a fixed tripod, remote control, and a 10-second timer.
- For the white rose segment, aside from a few daytime natural light shots, the majority will simulate daylight using artificial lighting.
- The red rose segment will be shot entirely with indoor lighting arrangements.
- The theme aligns with the competition’s theme of “showing love,” featuring minimal nudity to enhance the artistic expression. The focus is on sensuality rather than explicit content.
- Each piece will feature a different pose, and despite the limitations of the setting, there will be varied compositions, resulting in a considerable workload and a slow shooting pace.
- There will also be a tribute to a single piece from my participation in the third Yimei Photography Competition two years ago. Observant viewers may notice and appreciate this as an Easter egg.
- This competition’s work differs from previous ones. Instead of showcasing the “product strength” of the dolls, the core focus is on conveying and creating emotions, serving the MV storyline.
- Several new approaches were attempted, such as bright tones, tears, and lying poses, while reducing the previously predominant standing poses (as they had become repetitive).
In the dark, neither of us spoke
You just want to go home
I don’t want you to go home
Loneliness is as deep as the sea, it’s so frightening
Your gentle hand
Softly strokes my hair
Your eyes say
You long for my embrace
But your body is desperately trying to escape
When desire is burning
Do you love me or her?
Is it true that he’s better than me?
Who are you struggling for?
Do you love me or her?
Just say what you truly feel
Do you want to be with me or her?
Is this fate’s punishment for me?
I can’t help but love you
I can’t help but hate you
Trapped in this vortex, I just want to break free from it
Holding your hand
You’re dragging me down with you
Your eyes say
You don’t long for my embrace
Whenever love turns into torment
You start to run away
Do you love me or her?
Is there something I can do better
To stop your struggle?
Do you love me or her?
I’d rather hear a cruel answer
Than be played around anymore
Do you love me or her?
I’ve found a hundred reasons for you
I’m just that foolish
Do you love me or her?
Is silence your answer?
I should understand it, right?
Do you love me or her?
You no longer see the good in us
But I’m still disheartened and concerned
Do you love me or her?
Is silence your answer?
Let’s not struggle anymore
Go and love her.
Closing Remarks
- I have surpassed myself, which was my goal for this competition, and I believe I have achieved it. I have completely outdone my performance from two years ago! From being a novice with no camera to becoming a veteran with over 10,000 shots, it was the dolls that sparked my creative interest and fulfilled me. The investment and effort over the past three years have been entirely worth it. I never expected to achieve such success and acclaim in my hobby, far exceeding my 20+ year professional career. Even though the “short, stout, and anxious” version of myself hasn’t fully connected with my real-life self, and I can’t share this with my family and close friends, it’s been an incredible journey.
- Everyone defines and needs dolls differently, and there’s no right or wrong in this. The key is to make the most of what you have, and I believe I have found the most suitable path for my doll career, which is artistic creation! I have always hoped that high-priced, high-quality realistic dolls will gradually move away from the “adult products” category. Everything I do is to artisticize this product type. I also call on fellow enthusiasts to persist, inspire each other, and contribute what we can to the art of doll photography.
- I hope there will be more doll photography competitions so that there can be more opportunities to showcase the top-tier product capabilities and high-level artistic expression within and outside the industry! Competitions always have winners and losers, but there is no absolute standard in art. This competition has given me a more positive and serious attitude towards doll photography, which is the greatest value to me at the moment. It’s not just about “having fun”; I need to “take it seriously”!