Hockey: How I Got the Shot
Follow along as Dave builds his own hockey rink, including a net, to celebrate the return of the NHL playoffs with toy photography.
Author: Dave DeBaeremaeker
Hiding the Joints: My Answer to an Existential Toy Photography Question
When I started shooting action figures, I quickly came across an existential question that I needed to solve for myself: Should I hide the joints in the figures when I post-process the photos, or should I leave them as is?
Toy Photography Studio Tour: Studio Dave
Dave does most of his creative and toy photography work in his basement, aka “Studio Dave.” Enjoy a no-holds-barred tour of his creative home.
Diorama: A Tutorial, Part 4 of 4
Properly scaled backgrounds are hard to find. This tutorial series walks through building a simple diorama for 6″ action figures.
Diorama: A Tutorial, Part 3 of 4
Properly scaled backgrounds are hard to find. This tutorial series walks through building a simple diorama that is properly scaled for 6″ action figures.
Diorama: A Tutorial, Part 2 of 4
Properly scaled backgrounds are hard to find. This series walks through building a simple diorama that is properly scalled for 6″ action figures.
Diorama: A Tutorial, Part 1 of 4
Dave offers simple tips for making a brick wall diorama for your toy photography. Part 1 of this four-part series covers carving the foam wall.
BTS: Painting & Weathering Action Figures
Adding paint to action figures can bring out detail and add an aged look. Dave tries painting and weathering a Black Series Baby Yoda figure.
Lume Cube Panel Mini Reviewed
Toy Photographer Dave DeBaeremaeker reviews the new Lume Cube Panel Mini light and compares how it stacks up against the original square Lume Cube.
Taking a Shot: How I Created Deadpool’s Bullet
A behind-the-scenes story of a plastic egg, spray paint, an inner voice, a Hot Toys Deadpool figure and how it all came together in a dramatic toy photo.
Checking In from Quarantine
Quarantine takes a mental toll on all of us. Check in with Dave and see how he has been handling the stress, and learning to forgive a lack of creativity.
Shooting Into the Sun
Putting the sun directly in the background of your shot can make a dramatic image. Follow this tutorial to learn how to do it with your toy photography.
Making My Own Character: The Plague Doctor
Have an idea for a shot but can’t find an action figure to create it? Try taking an existing figure and adding your own accessories, like my plague doctor.
Building My Own Background: Learn to Make a Diorama
One of the largest issues with toy photography, especially for those of us who shoot primarily in a studio, is finding suitable backgrounds. I recently tried to build my own background using foam and some craft paints. This is the result. I got this idea from a channel I stumbled …
Protecting Your Creative Space: Social Isolation and COVID-19
As I write this, the world is rapidly shutting down due to COVID-19, the so-called coronavirus. Like many businesses, my office closed to encourage social isolation, and I am now working from home for the next month. My first thought was, “Woohoo, I don’t have to wear pants!” My second …
Gaining Confidence with Shooting Toys in Public
It can be intimidating to create art in public places. It can be doubly difficult when that art is a niche thing like toy photography. This post is about how I gained confidence with shooting toys in public. If you are like me, the most intimidating aspect is a fear …
Comic Book Covers (A Quasi Six-Image Narrative)
Many of the characters who inspire me come from the pages of comic books. Beyond the characters and stories, comic book covers have a life of their own. Some covers have become iconic and many are proper art in and of themselves. Recreating these covers seems like a natural extension …
Escape!
Dave’s Log: Toydate 20191114 I preordered a sweet new Optimus Prime action figure from ThreeA Toys today. I can’t wait until it shows up! Dave’s Log: Toydate 2020128 Good News! My new Optimus Prime action figure arrived at my studio today! I don’t have time to play with him right …
Satisfying the Creative Urge When I Couldn’t Shoot
The very last thing I did in 2019 was break my foot. This was not my wisest move, and has lead to a lot of problems and frustrations as my ability to be creative with toy photography suffered as a result. I don’t recommend it. It was not a complete …
The Blackest Black Backgrounds
The background I want for an image depends entirely on what story I want to tell. Sometimes I want an elaborate, realistic image. Other times I want something simple. Sometimes I want pure black. Pure black has all sorts of benefits. I like it because black sets a certain mode …