I like to be inspired. I like to be challenged. So, inspired by posts by Father’s Figures and Jennifer,  and challenged by Shelly during our last video chat, I’m putting toy photography back into Toy Photographers.

It’s been a while since I’ve photographed anything but LEGO. I scrolled back through my Instagram feed, and the last photo I’d posted was 10 months ago. Far too long!

We went down to look at war toys
But all the war toys were gone
Dead Milkmen – Wonderfully Colored Plastic War Toys

Toy photography of the Batmobile

“Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na flat tyre”

But why so long?

I can only assume my reluctance to photograph toys that aren’t LEGO stems from sheer volume. My LEGO shelves outnumber the others significantly, giving me more choice and more ideas.

It can probably also be accredited to the fact that I resisted buying toys through fear of addiction. My friends, that I’d made through plastic, bullied me for so long to ‘get into’ the Star Wars Black Series figures. I resisted for as long as I could, knowing damn well that once I bought one, many would follow. And they have.(Thanks Mark and Tim!)

I also withstood temptation based of cost. If it weren’t for @suppaduppa666’s posts and lauding, I’d have never forked out the coin for a Revoltech Stormtrooper. (I regret nothing David!) It hardly seems fair that my revenge on him was to tempt him into getting a LEGO Ithorian!

Toy photography of a Stormtrooper

“Trooping”

My foot-dragging when it comes to photographing toys that aren’t LEGO is based on fear. A fear that I’ll enjoy it so, that I’ll need more! Just like plastic crack!

Toy photography of an old car in the woods

“Sticks and stones won’t break my bones, but surface rust will hurt me”

Despite their bulk straining my pockets, I’d almost forgotten how much I enjoy shooting different toys. I enjoy the different challenges they throw my way.

There’s an S.O.S. from the land of the misfit toys
It seems the king’s turning his army into number 2 pencils
Voodoo Glow Skulls – Land of Misfit Toys

Toy photography of the Alien egg in a field

“EGG-CELLENT!”
(Shelly, I see your zero articulation dinosaurs, and I raise you a Medicom Alien egg!)

Thanks to those who’ve inspired, challenged, tempted and hassled me, when I think of toy photography, I’ll think of toy photography, not just one type of toy. I’ll push my fears aside and grab more than just LEGO from my shelves.

– Brett

Do you lean towards one type of toy to photograph? If so, why do you think that is?

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