Masters Class: Power Rangers Week

 Here at the Masters Class we have been focusing a lot on styles and genres of figure photography. While that is highly beneficial and educational for all of us, sometimes it’s nice to step away and focus on the figures and figure lines themselves. Everyone has their favorites character and line of figures and reasons for such. This Masters Class will be the first in a series of classes that will focus on a figure line or figure type, as well as some tips and tricks from the Masters on how they deliver their shots. 

Being as this is “Power Week”, a week long celebration of Power Rangers and their history, it seemed only fitting to focus on Power Ranger action figure photography. And when it comes to Power Rangers photography, two of the top tier Masters have joined in on this collab to share some pics and Power Blast us with knowledge on their photography and their thoughts on Power Rangers. 

Straight from the Morphing Grid and to the Masters Class, please welcome @zombieclown_photography and @greengeek88! 

When it comes to taking ranger shots, which figure line do you enjoy the most? Lightning collection, 3 zero, Bandai, etc 

ZC- “For my collection I enjoy shooting the lighting collection the most. They are affordable and most times good quality.”

GG- “When it comes to ranger shots, I’d have to say lightning collection is my favorite to shoot.  The articulation should the gold standard for all 1:12 scale figures.  Also for the wide variety of characters that have been released/announced.  Although, when figuarts picks back up their Sentai line my tune may change! Haha”

How did you come to have the collection of ranger figures you have? Was your collection driven by nostalgia and love for the rangers?

ZC- “I started my collection for rangers back up in my early 20s after coming across the legacy collection tiger zord and then eventually the boom studios comics really lit a fire to get back into it”

GG- “My collection now came from a love of rangers that stems all the way back to 1994! I grew up with the original series and still have most of my original toys from back then.  So buying updated versions of the stuff I used to have as a kid is amazing!”

If the morphing grid was real, and you could be any ranger from throughout the history of the show, movies, and comics, who’s morpher would you want to poses?

ZC- “If I was apart of the morphing grid I'd totally pick the mighty morphin green ranger.”

GG- “Now I know you’re probably expecting me to say Tommy, but I’m gonna flip the script and go gold Zeo.  He probably has one of my favorite suit designs out of the whole franchise! There’s a reason he’s called King Ranger in the Sentai!”

When shooting your ranger shots, what are some tips or tricks you can give to deliver on the tone, atmosphere, mood etc?

ZC- “When I shoot my ranger shots I usually try to capture the spurt or essence of the character as much as possible or atleast my interpretation.”

GG- “Honestly the atmosphere and mood of my ranger shots depends on what  I want to convey in the shot.  Usually I like to go with a bright white/blue light from the top to get that nice helmet gleam. Been trying to experiment with lighting and darker tones to add more shadows/depth to my shots.”

When doing your ranger shots, do you prefer to load up on as many characters you can get into a shot? Or focus more on one character and their accessories? 

ZC- “When shooting I usually just stick to one figure. I consider myself more of a Portrait photographer so I stick to that style.”

GG- “For my ranger shots, usually I like to depict battle scenes that add tension to the shots.  Usually I find 4 or more figures is really hard to focus on for a shot so I try to limit it to 3-4 depending on what I have in mind to shoot.  Lately I’ve been trying more portrait style shots that really highlight the characters.”

With all the comic book and game content that is becoming a figure in the lightning collection, what is one figure you hope to see as a figure in the future and why?

ZC- “If they were to do a crossover I'd like to see them go into some version of an anime maybe naruto or dbz would be fun.”

GG- “A figure I would love to see get the lighting collection treatment would be Zordon in his ranger form from the comics.  With more and more figures being pulled from all different kinds of media hopefully this is one that’s on their list!”

Lastly, what is your favorite power ranger figure to shoot and why?

ZC- “My favorite ranger to shoot is anything Tommy Oliver related.”

GG- “Lastly, my favorite ranger figures to shoot are my SHFiguarts rangers! I only have red, green, and Dairanger red but they definitely more accurate as far as costume and helmet sculpts go! Really hope they continue this line!”