LEGOgraphy
Taking Your First Shots
Article and Photography by Tomek Lasek Instagram: @tomekskog
Where do you start? After seeing all these amazing photos in this issue, full of special effects, you’re probably wondering: Where do you start? Starting is as easy as taking your phone out of your pocket! In fact, many of the photographers featured started with their camera phones. The camera phone has many advantages compared to a full-sized camera or even a pocket instamatic: • It’s always with you
• It has infinite depth of field
• It’s perfect for getting below the figure
• It can easily photograph a scene from a variety of angles All that you need is a toy or two, a little practice and a story to tell.
Storytelling is where the fun really starts! Toy photography gives you unlimited possibilities. You can be the director of your favorite game, movie, or book. Characters as varied as Luke Skywalker and Gollum are at your fingertips. By starting with your favorite storylines, you can study the work of other artists and the original designers. How is the scene composed? What lighting angles were used? How are the subjects posed? Not only is this fun, but learning from the masters is always rewarding.
Here are some examples of toy pictures taken with phone cameras. [TM Lucasfilm.]
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By studying the images of photographers, cinematographers and artists that inspire you, you will often stumble upon your own original ideas. While it’s fun to recreate others’ work, telling your own stories through toy photography can be more fun. With the help of the LEGO minifigure and your imagination, you can construct entire worlds to photograph. Everything is literally in your hands!
