http://www.digitalcameraworld.com APRIL 2020 DIGITAL CAMERA^31
photos of my figures with my phone camera,
usually next to a window, where the lighting
was good. Then I would use an array of apps
to cut out the figure and place them into
a more fantastical background.
I would say that an even easier way to get
into toy photography is to take them outside,
get down to their level, try to avoid objects
that ruin the sense of scale, and most of
all, have fun doing it!
What were the limitations of a phone
that drove you towards getting a DSLR?
The main reason was the ability to have
more control over the actual photography.
For example, a longer exposure time for
shooting in low light, and a shallow depth
of field for that lovely bokeh effect that
works so well with toy photography.
What lighting do you use?
I have a small selection of cheap lights that
all do the trick while shooting indoors – a
warmer bulb in a lampshade, and a couple
of cheap cooler-toned LED lights. I do have
some more expensive Lumecubes, although
I would argue that they’re unnecessary
to get the desired result. I’ve used printer
paper to diffuse lights and even the torch
on my phone to add an extra key light
in some scenes.Instagram: @mr_gizmo_RIGHT: Gary builds his own sets and
stages his action figures to create scenes
from the movies, including this moment
from Star Wars: A New Hope.