Masters Class: Lighting

 One of the most crucial elements of action figure photography is the proper use of lighting. Too little or too much can break a shot, and it often requires a degree of patience in experimenting with angles and positions until it is just right. 

Well here at the Masters Class, the main goal is to provide tips and tricks on the process from the Masters of the craft. Whether the topic be figure based, theme or genre, or styles of shots; the Masters are here to help everyone to grow and learn in the community. 

Todays Masters Class will be the first class to focus less on the characters, and less on the theme or genre. Today we will turn the spotlight (no pun intended) on lighting your shot. And here in the class to do that for us today are two extraordinary artists that have mastered the process of lighting. Please welcome @No.Chewing and @Lights.Camera.Actionfigures to the Classroom, and take your seats and dim the lights, because Class is now in session. 

What is your go to lighting equipment for various styles of shots (portrait, action etc)?

LCA- “I use a variety of lighting equipment, my main ones being: Vivitar Creator series studio light, Vivitar panel led, Ulanzi VL120 panel led, A 12” Bower Ring light and a pair of 6” Bower ring lights. 

Of course not every shot requires all these lights. Usually I just use my own judgment on what the shot requires!”

NC- “I started with just a single litra torch and then discovered Ulanzi. I slowly added a light here and there, after about a year I have five Ulanzi lights. In my opinion they have great products for beginners and professional. I’d like to tell you that I had a plan for the number of lights or which lights, but I really decide on the spot based on the figure and the vibe I am trying to create.”

Lighting needs can fluctuate heavily when shooting outdoors, do you use anything to optimize the natural lighting outdoors? Or are camera settings your biggest ally?

LCA- “I haven’t ventured into the world of outdoor toy photography yet. However, I used to do nature shots and definitely the camera settings are your friend. You can use light reflectors to assist with directing sunlight.”

NC- “Most of my photography this year has been indoors based on when I shoot. But when I was able to shoot something during the day I really just rely on the sun with at most a single light as my key light (if needed). My trick with outdoors is simply positioning the subject with the sun behind it. The camera does play a big role in it, I recently upgraded my equipment and the speed of my new camera has really made a material difference in capturing the shot.”

Lighting can often make or break a shot when it comes to setting the tone or mood, what are some things you try to keep in mind when setting up your lighting to strengthen the desired mood?

LCA- “I often get my figures posed then move on to playing with the lights. I will move them all around while looking at my camera to see what the different positions highlight on my figures.”

@lights.camera.actionfigures shot features Spider-Man

NC- “I try my best to make all my shots looks cinematic, which often translates to more shadow on the face. To me, it creates a more unique and visually interesting image.”

Do you prefer to utilize colored lights to add contrast or depth to your shots, or allow neutral white colors for contrast and depth?

LCA- “When I started doing toy photography I used mainly colored lights. As I’ve progressed I’ve switched to using cool to warm white lights to add contrast and depth. It honestly just depends on the figure I’m shooting. Sometimes the colored lights just don’t work for a shot.”

NC- “I usually always use colors in my pictures. I have a painting background and have a lot of fun trying to add fun coloring to my shots, pinks and purples are my favorite!”

@no.chewing shot features a Green Lantern

Angles are crucial most the time when setting up your lighting. Are there any steps you take when setting up your shot to remind yourself to be conscious of reflection and glare?

LCA- “If I’m shooting someone with a helmet or reflective surfaces I definitely try to position my lights to where you can’t notice them as easily. Sometimes though it just can’t be avoided.”

NC- “Good question. Most of times I start with a standard three point lighting set up, it’s a natural reset/starting point to build off of. I then modify the lighting position until I achieve the right light.”

What are some tips and tricks you could give the reader for lighting a black and white shot? 

LCA- “When it comes to B&W photos, I totally recommend colored lights. Using colored lights usually brings out a lot of the detail and adds nice highlights to the image. 

For example: Red lights tend to make really nice lighting for B&W shots. My main tip for lighting photos regardless of color or B&W is to just play around. There really are no rules when it comes to lighting. Play around with the positioning until the result is pleasing to you!”

NC- “Oh, black and white is a touchy subject to me! Because I love using my rgb lights so much, taking a black and white picture can prove difficult for me. I would say less is more with black and white.”

Lastly, what is your favorite figure/figure line to shoot and why?

LCA- “Favorite figure is the Super7 Ultimates Papa Emeritus! Favorite line to shoot has to be McFarlanes DC Multiverse line. I know the figures get a lot of  criticism but I find that for the price point they are unmatched in detail and quality. They also play with light very well.”

NC- “I have a lot of favorites toy lines to shoot, I am a fan of a lot of different properties. I am a Marvel fan through and through, that would make Marvel Legends my go to toy line. Even further the X-men is my favorite team. My favorite action figure is the Hugh Jackman tank top Wolverine, his face is incredibly sculpted. Growing up as a minority I gravitated toward a comic book representation of a minority tormented for simply being, no matter how good they tried to be. It always gave a sense of connection in the absence of a traditional community. I started reading X-men comics at the age of 6 years old, it opened the door to all of the Marvel Universe. When I shoot Marvel toys I feel that connection, it’s love.”

Sometimes two artists shots can juxtapose each other in a natural and organic way, contrasting each other perfectly. When I was originally looking for artists to do this class these gentlemen were obvious choices in my mind. Both have a distinctive lighting style that emboldens their artistic eye and sets their shots on another level. @No.Chewing’s style has always stood out to me for his exaggerated use of lighting to make his figures pop and add a bright, often cheery mood. A quick scroll through his IG page and you will see why he was an obvious Master to recruit for this collab. @Lights.camera.actionfigures style always stood out to me in an equally, yet drastically opposite manner. His shots generally have this dark, almost ominous feel to them with the way he utilizes his lights to bring his figure out of the dark in the right places. 

Pairing these two artists for this collab has been a real pleasure. The contrast in their styles is awe inspiring. 

The juxtaposition of these two styles of lighting use struck me right away when organizing this collab, to the point where if I couldn’t get both gentlemen to do the Lighting class, the lighting class was going to stay in the dark until they could enlighten us. So with that in mind I want to personally thank @No.Chewing and @Lights.camera.actionfigures for participating in this collab and for dropping their knowledge. 

If you want to get in on a future Masters Class, simply head over to instagram and message @the_unworthy_collabs and let us know. Until next Friday, Class is dismissed. 

~The Curator