First, we challenged ourselves to recreate the work of another artist. Then we remade our own photos. Now, in this closing chapter of our photo recreation trilogy, Kristina and I recreate one of each other’s photos – and learn quite a bit about ourselves work in the process.
In the past, right up until the beginning this podcast theme, I’d always thought of recreations from a technical standpoint. Anytime I’d remade one of my own images, it hadn’t been to make some kind of artistic statement or study how I’d grown as a photographer. It was about making the photos better simply by making them look better.
Now, after spending the last few months remaking both my own work and the work of artists I know or admire, I’ve gained a new perspective. I believe this to be a powerful exercise – one that can teach you a lot about yourself as an artist, and those whose work you’re remaking.
I was happy to hear that Kristina felt the same. You can listen to our conversation here, and follow along with all of the images we discuss below.
My Image
My recreation 
Kristina’s Original
Kristina’s Image
Kristina’s recreation 
My original
Listener Submissions
Janan M. Lee (@spideygoeshygge)
“Re: Play” by Janan M. Lee 
“Play” by Kristina Alexanderson
Astrid Heyland (@hey.light)
by Astrid Heyland 
by Kristina Alexanderson
Luke Jones (@ljtoyphotography)
Luke’s recreation 
My original
Next up: Summer
While this has been a fun exercise to do over the course of three podcast episodes, we’re returning to a more straightforward theme for next month’s podcast. We’ll be using “Summer” as a prompt. If you want to join in the fun and get the chance to have your work discussed on the show, use the hasthag #tp_summer and tag both myself (@thereeljames23) and Kristina (@kalexanderson) or email it to us directly at toyphotographypod@gmail.com
Thanks for listening! Did you enjoy this three-part series? Did you learn anything new about recreating work, as I did? We’d love to hear your thoughts about recreations in the comments below.
Until next time,
-James
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James and Kristina, as always, I really enjoyed following your conversation. Great listening !!!
Kristina, you asked why I took this picture as a source of inspiration? Honestly, I had 4 or 5 pictures of this kind in my heart. I had looked at them all and knew that I would like to take such a picture. I had neither the pink umbrella nor Princess Leia. So I went off and actually found the umbrella Second Hand. The hair for Leia had my godchild. Then I took the picture in a very unspectacular place right next to my house. I had seen that the sun sets between the houses there. I created the puddle myself with bottles of water in a manhole cover. And the background consists of a few sparsely grown grass blades. I put this picture of you online, because it’s in landscape mode and that fits to my picture. Actually, I should have put all your pictures to it. Because they all led to my picture together. It was great fun because all the neighbors stopped and watched what I do. And because I liked the place so much, I was there on 3 evenings with beautiful sunsets there. Thank you very much for this challenge!
Thank you Astrid for sharing 🙂 I love the puddel – amazingly great work. I also have my neighbours stopping asking and smiling when I’m laying on the ground doing ”puddle-work”. My favorite part is that you made your own Leia. I’m so blessed and proud to inspiring you to do this masterwork.
Thanks for sharing the story behind your wonderful image, Astrid! I love hearing all of the work that went into it. The custom Leia cracks me up!
Both you and Kristina are inspiring me to do my own puddle work. We’re not getting much rain at the moment because of Summer so maybe I’ll borrow your method and get some water bottles ?
Gosh darn it! I wanted to make an image for this theme, but just didn’t have the time. I’m getting way behind on podcast episodes too.
Time is a limited resource 😉 Maybe you will make it till next theme: summer – Love when you join us 🙂
No worries, I definitely know the feeling! If I wasn’t on the podcast myself I would have fallen behind a long time ago ?
Great 3-part series James and Kristina and all who have participated. I enjoyed listening to the discussions around this.
When I was asking myself which image to use of Kristina’s, the image of the frog and couple in the background came to mind immediately. I couldn’t replicate the image exactly as I didn’t have the same minifigs and accessories.
Kristina usually speaks about “duality” in her images and I wanted to have that layer here. It’s not just a trooper having a break from fighting but also a desire for peace over war. The faceless trooper was also a homage to her faceless figures.
There are 2 things I would change and you picked up on one which is the composition of having the dog further to the right. Second thing is I would wait till golden hour to catch a softer backlight without losing details.
Looking forward to next month! It’s winter in Australia and it would be interesting to do a “summer” theme. Haha
Thank you, I’m happy you joined us through this adventure. It was a joy to have you follow us. And I’m so blessed that you made such a beautiful image that is so much in the spirit of my work, I love the way you use the scene and remake it to you own.
I’m so honoured that you remade/ made such a beautiful work. Yes I really look forward to see where the summer/winter image land…
Thanks for sharing your insight, Janan! I absolutely loved your image (if you couldn’t tell already haha). I love that you’re playing with the duality, working with Kristina on these podcasts has definitely made me think about the many layers in my photos as well.
I look forward to what you do for a faux Summer shot if you get the time!