Last month LEGO launched the Tron Legacy LEGO Ideas set. We were lucky enough to be invited to work with the LEGO Ideas to develop some imagery for the Tron Legacy launch.
We invited two Toy Photography community members to participate in this project, Sunny and Tom.
Rather than doing a typical review of the set, I asked Sunny and Tom to write a review of the project and the process.
Tom was the first of the three of us to receive the set in the mail. And, without being asked, sent through some quick snaps from his phone as soon as the set was built. He also sent through a brief overview of the features of the set. Sam and Quorra have double sided head. The discs can fit onto each figures back. Sam comes with a helmet and hair… All this information was super helpful for Sunny and I as we waited for our sets to arrive.
Tron Legacy: Tom Milton
Tron Legacy: Tom Milton
Tom’s take…
I had a wet and wild ride with this set. It was truly awesome to have the opportunity to do this and really exciting when it came in the post to think I was one of the very few who had a set. I’d recently made the conscious decision to keep Photoshop to a minimum within my photography and this set offered a great opportunity to keep pushing the practical effects I’ve been utilising recently. So I stocked up on LEDs, laser pointers and filters and with the addition of vaseline (being my biggest discovery on this project) the results are that all the lighting effects, lens flares and glows I captured in camera with as little RAW correction as possible in post.
Starting out I had loads of ideas floating around in my head and was preparing for the usual “in studio” efforts I create, when Lego asked if I could go to London and take some sightseeing shots for them. Unfortunately the weather in the UK has been a touch temperamental over the past month and the day I went to London was a total washout. Out of my comfort zone and struggling to stay dry (myself and the camera) whilst keeping a secret product hidden in the busiest tourist spots in London and trying to get such small and large things in focus at the same time meant it was not the most enjoyable days and I came home rather dejected. As a result I am truly amazed I was able to create a collection of outdoor images for Lego as they requested following all of that. And in the end I’ve probably ended up with two selections of photos, a one for me, one for you type of thing.
But when working for a client the whole project becomes a give and take sort of affair, you have to make compromises you’re not used to as an independent artist. In this case taking full frame shots rather than cropping to my usual cinematic ratio, or taking wider angle images to include the whole set rather than focusing in on details like I usually would like to do. I suppose all these hurdles are what make the creative experience worth while and it has been a great experience looking back. But it is quite funny that now the set is in the world and everyone else is super excited I’m feeling a little burned out, and am looking for anything other than Tron to photograph.
Oh well, I can still say I’ve worked for Lego, and that is definitely a tick off the bucket list.
Tom (@tomtommilton)
Tron Legacy: Tom Milton
Sunny’s set arrived next. He was the one to point out that the Light Cycles were fingerprint magnets! “Gotta remember to clean it up a bit before shooting!” Another great tip shared between the three of us.
Tron Legacy: Sunny Ang, Collide
Sunny says…
I was excited and honoured to be selected to shoot this set. Prior to receiving the set, I had a bunch of ideas all sketched out. Then I was told I was not allowed to mix properties , so I had to throw out half the ideas! That left me with doing racing shots of the light cycles. Had to think real hard to not do any racing shots. I managed to squeeze out two photos that’s filled with some humour. Excitement turned to panic when I saw what Tom and Brett had submitted. With 24 hours left to the deadline, I rushed out for my first outdoor night shoot, not really knowing what to expect. I wanted to shoot some iconic building from Singapore as the backdrop and ended up in the business district. Saw a curved railing that fit nicely as a race track. Was pretty happy with the end result of the night shoot.
– Sunny (@zekezachzoom)
Tron Legacy: Sunny Ang, Kiddie Ride
Tron Legacy: Sunny Ang, Business District
Brett’s bit…
As I live the furthest from the Tron Legacy sets’ departure point, I was last to receive the set. But armed with the preview shots, descriptions and tips that Tom and Sunny had sent through, I was ready to shoot!
I enjoyed the build, but as deadlines were looming, I didn’t really have time to savour the build process. I did enjoy building first Light Cycle, but the second was built without the use of instructions as it was the exact same build as the first.
Tron Legacy: Brett Wilson
However, as the completed build sat before me, its photographic potential was apparent. The Tron Legacy set really does lend itself to being in front of the camera. Perhaps that comes from the play-ability of the set? I can’t wait to mashup the Light Cycles with other LEGO series. Scout Troopers riding them though the Endor forest. Harry Potter chasing the Golden Snitch on a Light Cycle. These Light Cycles have so much toy photography potential!
Tron Legacy: Brett Wilson
As much as I enjoyed shooting this set for LEGO Ideas, I think I enjoyed sharing the experience with Tom and Sunny more! Sharing thoughts, difficulties, challenges and successes was a such a experience. Without words, the project organically took on a collaborative nature. A triple force striving for a common goal; to deliver.
Thanks to Darryl and the LEGO Ideas team for inviting us to be a part of this exciting Tron Legacy launch project. Despite the tight deadlines, we all had a blast shooting this wonderfully photogenic set. Thank you Tom and Sunny for making this a fun project to work on. You guys not only knocked it out of the park with your photos, but made the process an enjoyable one!
-Brett
Have you got your LEGO Ideas Tron Legacy set yet?
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It’s awesome seeing these! I’ve been shooting my own series of shots the past couple days as time permits (my baby was in her swing judging me as I finally had time to build the light cycles this afternoon). I’m excited to attempt shooting them this evening! I really love the set and I am glad it came out right after I started getting into toy photography.
I’ve seen your shots of the Minifigures on G+, and if they’re anything to go by, I can’t wait to see what you create with the entire set!
I don’t know how you three coped with the pressure, but it obviously worked. There’s fantastic images here Brett, Sunny, and Tom. Congratulations to you all.
Pressure? Yeah, it was a tight turn around!! But with Tom and Sunny sharing shots and thoughts on the set, I was well prepared to shoot once it finally arrived. The collaborative nature the project took eased the pressure… just!
Thanks Tony. As Brett said it was a tight turn around, especially when LEGO wanted me to go to London. But what we all ended up with images wise was awesome. The hardest part for me was friends and work colleagues asking me why I wasn’t coming out, etc. “I’ve got photography work, but I can’t tell you what it is.” It was quite the intrigue.
Great article Brett, thanks for including my ramblings. As you said it was great fun to work as a team alongside yourself and Sunny (as well as Shelly, from the sidelines), thanks again for the opportunity.
Thanks Brett for the write up. It was a great experience and felt privileged to be part of this project. I got to experience my first outdoor night photography from this opportunity! I truly had a slight panic attack when I saw both your work and Tom’s, and realized I had better pull up my socks and deliver something of substantial standard!
These images are all fantastic! I love how you all took a pretty “basic” set, and by that I mean one that seems pretty simple photo-wise, and came up with so many different interpretations and ways to shoot it. I was honestly on the fence about picking this up, but after seeing these photos and reading this review I’ve added it to my wishlist and will pick it up when I get the chance. Great job, all!
Mate, from a toy photography point of view, this Ideas set is great! So many ideas are bubbling away in my head.
Go! Get it! And shoot it!!!
What a cool experience – and you’ve all done a fantastic job. I like all the glowing light against the darkness. I can’t believe that “Business District” shot is Sunny’s first attempt at night photography!? Such great images all around – well done. I’m sure LEGO is happy with the results.
Cheers Joe. It was a cool project to be included in. And yes, I can’t believe Sunny’s shot was his first attempt at night photography either?!
What an exciting project! All the photos came out great! I love all the colors in each photo and the scenes are so clever! I picked up a copy of this set because it looks intriguing and colorful but I haven’t seen the movie yet, so I supposed I should watch it before I start taking pictures 🙂
Lynn
I hadn’t seen the movie either? Although I did grow up watching the original. Oh boy, I feel old!