Tips & Tricks: Building Backgrounds from Your Recycle Bin
Toy photography doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Learn how to build effective backgrounds using items from your recycling bin.
Tag: How To
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.
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 …
How to Make Your Toys ‘Fly’
Our February MeWe challenge was “leap.” This required our community members to get their toys off the ground in any way they could. In today’s post I want to show you a few of those techniques from several toy photography viewpoints. Because when it comes to making your toys fly, …
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. …
Should I Switch from Phone to Camera Toy Photography?
Toy photographer Adam Ford (@adamfigurephotography) looks at ways to tell when it’s time to stop using your phone and start using a camera instead.
Toying with Bright Ideas: A Light Diffuser on a Budget
As I have mentioned before in previous posts, lighting in photography is king; without it, we don’t have photos.
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 …
5 Cool Toy Photography Tools For $15 or less!
When I first got started in toy photography one of the biggest challenges was determining how to create a scene for my photos. At first, it all revolved around the toys. It is “toy” photography after all. Which LEGO figures do I want to be together in this scene? Or …
Shaking it Up – Adding Action with Camera Shake
As toy photographers, we go to great lengths to avoid camera shake. From using tripods and remote shutter releases, to holding our breath during an exposure to avoid unintentional camera movement. The rule of thumb is that the steadier your camera is, the cleaner your image will be. Thankfully, photography …
All the World’s a Stage – Part 3
”Embrace light. Admire it. Love it. But above all, know light. Know it for all you are worth, and you will know the key to photography.” (George Eastman) In parts 1 and 2 of this series I covered the design and building of a lighting stage and its associated lighting …
All the world’s a stage – Part 2
“If all the world’s a stage then I want better lighting” – Rob Coles If you have not yet read part 1 then this post may not make a lot of sense. Feel free to pop on over to part 1 then return here. I’ll wait, I promise. If the …
All the World’s a Stage – Part 1
“All the World’s a Stage, and all the toys and figures merely players” (William Shakespeare if he was a toy photographer) Some time ago I was lucky enough to be able to visit an Aardman exhibition Wallace and Gromit and Friends, which introduced me to the behind the scenes world …
Getting Deep – Creating depth in your photos
As I alluded to in my introductory post, Starting Small, my first foray into toy photography didn’t register high on the ‘interesting scale’. My best efforts consisted of planting toys in front of a bright background, pressing the shutter and slathering the results all over Instagram. The photos were what …
Crowd control – Getting your Minifigures in order
In 2016 I bought my first Minifigure, an Indiana Jones. He was an excellent subject for a project that included the testing of macro lenses. This simple purchase was to put me on a path of toy photography and Minifigure collecting.
How do you Achieve Unlimited Power?
I offered a promise in a post quite a while ago to talk about my use of filters. Well I’m pulling my finger out of my ass and fulfilling that promise. I’ve included an equipment list below to show how many bits and pieces are required to take a simple …
Podcast 31 – Toy Photography Lighting with Shelly, Brett, and Sunny Ang
Our coverage of the Lume Cube and their toy photography contest continues on the podcast this week, with another roundtable discussion! This time Shelly, Brett and I are joined by our good friend Sunny Ang, aka @zekezachzoom.
Mirror, Mirror…
Mirror, mirror on the wall…it seems you have better uses after all. Most notably I can use a mirror as a substitute backdrop when an unobstructed vista is not available for toy photography. I live in an older suburb where the houses are just close enough to be annoying for …
Another step in the journey
I started writing about toy photography four years ago to share both my knowledge and my own artistic journey. Part of that journey has involved attempting to sell my work. I’ve participated in several gallery exhibitions, more than a few coffee shop shows and a couple of geek meet-ups. Recently …
For the love of light
For the love of light is a step by step deconstruction of the image: Backlit Warrior Deconstructed. These are the steps I took to create that image. Concept A friend wanted a “cool” shot of Agent May from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D in warrior pose. Obstacles Agent May, what Agent May? Why …