How do common small toys take creative photos?

Toy photography has flourished in recent years, and many amateurs and professionals, from Star Wars toy photography to toy car pictures, have toy photo photography everywhere.

1. The camera setting makes the toy photos stand out.

Toy photography usually involves close-ups. Here are some considerations about camera settings:

Choose a narrower aperture for more details.

In essence, the closer you are to the subject, the smaller the depth of field you need to deal with. Using the aperture between f/5.6–f/8 will get a lens effect.

Use manual focusing accuracy.

Switch to manual focus when shooting small details of toys.

Reduce ISO to get the highest quality

If you use a tripod, please use ISO 100. This can optimize the light and reduce the noise in the photo.

2. Prepare suitable equipment for toy photography.

Before you start shooting toys, it is very important to make sure that you have the right equipment at hand.

Many types of photography require the least equipment, but when you deal with small toys, some equipment will make the process easier.

tripod

Toy photography and still life photography have similar requirements, and tripod is always my first choice. If you want to try to stack photos, you need to use a tripod.

Cable release device

Using cable release is an important step to avoid camera shake. You can also use special camera remote applications according to the function and brand of the camera. Most digital SLR cameras and mirrorless cameras provide built-in WIFI.

Connect.

A table or raised platform.

In order to flexibly take pictures of toys from different angles, it is best to have a working desk, which will help your eyes keep level with toys.

background

Have a neutral background at hand, which can be used behind and under your toys.

tool

Toys can be photographed skillfully. Carry a mini kit with scissors, tweezers, etc. To help adjust. In addition, prepare a cloth and general spray cleaner at hand, because every bit of dust will be seen because of the close-up nature of the photo.

lamplight

Setting suitable lighting for toy photography may require some trial and error, and in most cases, it is recommended to use diffuse natural light through windows and reflectors.

3. Outdoor shooting adds an element of adventure

For the convenience of taking pictures of toys, please take pictures in outdoor natural light. Like most other forms of photography, it is best to avoid direct sunlight, and the light is soft and uniform on cloudy days, which is an ideal choice.

You can choose a small reflector (or a small piece of foil paper), remove any flash or artificial lighting, explore your environment and see how it affects the background of your toys and photos.

4. Tell your toy story emotionally.

The result of story-telling with toy photography is twofold. The audience can not only see your story, but also attach their feelings and nostalgia to the toys. It may be a toy truck lost in the forest; Dolls are stuck high on the windowsill, or farm animals are raised at dinner time.

If you shoot multiple toys in the scene, please consider the relationship between them and where their eyeliner is, and see what their "body language" conveys.

Involve children.

If you have children, please let them participate in your toy photography.

Cooperation usually provides new inspiration. They can borrow their toys, show some cool gadgets, including their favorite themes, and make a great work of art for their walls.

6. Try focusing on the stacked photos to get more details.

"Focus superposition" refers to the combination of photos with different focuses on the same theme.

Each photo can be set with a different focus, so that when several photos are combined, more images will be focused, and each photo needs to be taken from exactly the same position, which is where your tripod comes in handy.

7. Take a unique toy photo from another angle.

Just like portraits, shooting from high or low places can add emotional elements to toys and help tell stories.