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.
Tag: Behind the Scenes
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.
Tips & Tricks: Indiana Jones Sunset Silhouette Effect
Alan offers a simple tutorial for creating a sunset silhouette with your toy photography. All it requires is a light source and some household items.
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.
Photographing Physical Sets with Digital Backdrops
I often share behind the scenes images along with images I post on social media. People seem to like the glimpse behind the curtain, so to speak, to see the lighting positions, the effects, the sets, props, etc. Several of my photos involve using physical sets—structures, plants, props, etc.—in conjunction …
Can Tim Picture That: Learning the Basics
I have dabbled in toy photography over the years and, in some instances, I’ve been reasonably happy with how things turned out. At other times I feel like my photo just looks like a toy placed in front of something. I’ve discussed this topic with Alan Rappaport on several occasions. …
Lensbaby Lenses Take On the Melbourne Meet-Up: Part 1
Last year I traveled to Melbourne, Australia for a toy photographers meet-up and, with the help of the Lensbaby marketing department, I was able to take a few loaner lenses with me. I’ve done this before, so I had a better handle on what I needed to do to support …
Some Meet-Up Winners and Found Art Found
The dust is still settling on the 2019 Melbourne Toy Photographers Meet-Up. Today we celebrate some amazing photographs captured on the day and announce the winners of the three contests. Meetup BTS photo winners We asked attendees to share their ‘behind the scenes’ photographs on the day using the #meltoyphotomeetup2019_bts …
Making things with Light Stenciling
I’m super excited to share this technique with everyone. Dubbed ‘Light Stenciling’, it’s a trick I’ve used in multiple shots, and I’m always floored by the results. It’s easy to pull off, doesn’t require a ton of gear and can add a really cool effect to your toy photography. What …
Stranger Scenes: LEGO Particulates of Evil
Four Bricks Tall takes us behind the scenes of this photo of the Byers house in the Upside Down with floating LEGO particulates of evil.
Playing with Fire – Making Fake Flames
Inspired by James Gibbs‘ “Toying with Bright Ideas – Playing with FIRE!“, I wanted to put together a post for those, like myself, who are a bit more timid when it comes to mixing fire and toys. Real fire is extremely dangerous to work with, not to mention the hazard it …
Road Trip – or how to travel with toys and family
Like most toy photographers and also amidst a growing trend, I like to bring along some toys to shoot while holidaying.
Colla-BEER-ating
It’s no secret that I like beer. And I like toy photography. So, when a chance meeting at my local bar led to the offer to collaborate with a craft beer reviewer and photographer, of course I jumped at the opportunity!
Toying with bright ideas-Playing with FIRE!
So many of you know me as the photographer who likes to composite toys into my shots.
Making a Splash
Sitting at the bar down by our lake, drowning my sorrows, lamenting not making it to Utah this year, it dawned on me that I’ve never really taken many toy photos in the lake’s water.
Endor: Behind The Scenes of a Six Image Narrative
I created my recent Endor series as a challenge to push myself and see if I could create scenes that were based in a more real-world setting compared to my usual brick-built backdrops.
The Toying with bright ideas series: Using the Sun as your main light source
So over the last little while, I have been watching a lot of Teletubbies, I find it rather relaxing… No, actually my youngest has become addicted. Now whether you have kids or not, you are all familiar with Teletubbies. So after watching a few episodes, I noticed something had changed …
The “Toying with Bright ideas” series: Barn doors, laptops and snoots
Ask anyone who has ever picked up a camera, whether they are a professional or just snapping on their smartphone, what is the most important thing in photography? I’m hoping that 99% of the responses say light… Without light, there is no photo… period… Now for those of you who …
The JJ Abrams Effect
As a photographer I’ve always been seeking a kind of cinematic style that’s hard to describe. I just want my photos to have that “movie look” to them. Over the years I’ve come close but never felt like I really figured out the formula. Until now.