There are not great photos but good stories that define the narrative, which is subjective to those who would understand a “One-Picture Narrative” that takes the challenge more interesting because you don’t need no captions or description just a photo that simply tell the story from the viewer’s perspective.
Wrapping up the year there have been a theme for most who continue to share their stories. Its either you’re a Star Wars fan or you are new to the world of Toy Photography and try to use toy subjects for your collection. It is quite interesting that there’s diversity for those who are up for the challenge in trying to find their niche.
For Star Wars fans or those who prefer the characters from this realm are more comfortable telling the story through their vision. Majority of the entries from November and December has something to do with The Madalorian. Early in 2019 there were lots of Thanos or Captain America swinging Mjolnir.
Toy photography has become an outlet for toy collectors who has already know how to capture the images by not ‘showing off’ their collection, but telling a story that catches quite a lot of attention due to the trend of the films releases and fans trying to capture that ‘lightning in the bottle’ and reproducing it to their own image.
And then there are those regardless of the toy they use as their subject all they really are into is the base narrative that certainly may not be mainstream, but captures an image that have emotions.
It is the most challenging creation using an unknown toy that is fairly noticed due to the trend that sparks interest to a niche group and that is what the idea of Toy Photography in this community is looking for. But it is also challenging not to ignore what a popular toy will garner attention for that photographer all considered the basis of this interest is to have fun without the need to be serious about these things and this where the selection for December 2019 mattered.
Kristi Yarng is fortunate enough to set this scene in a snow covered backdrop and the two most recognizable droids having an argument that going to that cave is not a good place. Of course, R2-D2 and BB-8 will still dare C3P0 because adventures awaits them from the other side is a rare sight for most people living in the tropics.
Imagine those horror films that have narrow roads with tree that has no leaves on a gloomy afternoon just the sun is about to set? Melissa Hernandez does capture it with ease with a simple location takes you to that feeling of fear and doubt that there might be ghouls might surprise about and the color palette here captures that fleeting sensation as you cross what could be damnation.
Sometimes the best toys or action figures used already captures the mood and all you need is the backdrop and the proper set up. Danny Richardson tries to evoke that same feeling Leonardo is going through on a rough snowy day. It seems like a frozen moment in a live-action film, but it’s not and this image is relatable to most who are having a very challenging day, well done.
Genaskey Gerom De Roma is slowly changing the style how he captures his images. Back then it was just pure fun and hilarity and then you bring in something you’ve never done before like changing the subject matter and getting seriously artful. An image of a clown mask and a duffle bag may not be your chosen subject but this one stood out as gloriously ominous as if Genaskey is in the film shooting a different side of the story that people did not see and you got this final cut.
Setting up in an outdoor location is very much a challenge it is like filming a scene of a movie, but Juan Pablo Ardon has done this several times that it becomes second nature. Most toy photographers have limited constraints in producing an image that this one is so crowded that it must have taken him a good amount of timing to capture an action scene that is his original concept. Bravo.
Weston Wilkerson is one of those toy photographers that are consistent when telling their stories regardless if he’s using Star Wars characters or those pretty much not known by the public. Coraline is the title character from Neil Gaiman’s books of the same name and she’s an interesting action figure too. But put her into the real world and make her wander into a new adventure and you have this image that tells a different story for you.
Sometimes the details of the character tells a story in an indoor set up that aligns with the image perspective and Pritam Nightwing Das just does that with ease. Telling a story using a robot or a faceless armored character is challenging. But with a proper background set up and lighting, you got your self this image that stands out.
B. David Delene’s submission gives you the context that you’re part of the story and your adventure begins with three of your comrades. The human level shot without context or image of the characters gives you that emotional perspective. It is rare that you see someone captures this view and David made it his perspective.
Sometimes suspension of belief is necessary to capture the narrative and Guy Packman does it again just like his previous photo that he shared that caught up everyone’s attention. Little people sitting on a long bench admiring a view of the big screen gives you that look that to appreciate cinema is always in a big viewfinder and the level of detail makes it one of the overall images that stand out in this group.
Heather Collins rarely shares her posts but when she does its quite magical in her own little way. Not big in using popular toys but unknown toy subjects gives the narrative a perfect look of the images entirely and it feeds you the emotion of a Holiday Season with the colors all over like the red truck hauling a tiny Christmas tree while snow drops is the ‘feel’ for this season was perfect.
While there are only TEN selections in the past months that stood out you can’t ignore one more for a Special Mention.
Johan Kitching’s entry is a rare one not only using toys as the subject, but a live person as part of the overall narrative is certainly pure gold that is something rarely done and it earns the Eleventh Mention.
It is going to be rare that there would be another one for the next month who knows. Enjoy telling your stories while having fun that’s the most important part of the overall composition.
Remember, it is not “showing off” the toys anymore go past that perspective the year 2020 is here make good stories out of your photos. Challenge yourself in producing “One-Picture Narratives” because that’s how Toy Photography started in this community and that’s how you harness your skills at the same time have fun.
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