Masters Class: Tribute to Tusken Traders

 Here at the Masters Class we have been focusing on action figure photography and all that it encompasses. What inspires someone to take a shot, what tips and tricks can an artist offer. While the collabs serve as a spotlight on the participating artists, or Masters as it were, the main focus was always to educate the community and help everyone grow. 

This Masters Class will not be like the rest. This one will turn the spotlight around completely and focus on one individual that has impacted this toy community in so many ways. Tusken Traders, or Ryan as those lucky enough to be friends with him, was a genuinely kind and humble participant in this this community. Beyond that and his talents and his amazing body of work, Ryan was also a dedicated father, loving husband, and loyal friend. A sincere and positive person to everyone he interacted with. 

Unfortunately this community and the friends he’d made here were struck with the devastating news of his passing Tuesday August 30th. The suddenness and senselessness of this news left the entire community broken hearted. 

I had had the pleasure of coming to know Ryan here within the community through his positive feedback and supportive nature in collaborative efforts, and had bonded with him over the two of us being Fathers, and the nature of being a Father to a child with conditions beyond our control. I was thankful to have become friends with him and have someone to talk to about these things, as such a private matter is rarely shared with just anyone. While Ryan was always proud of his work in the toy community and his artwork, the most inspiring thing about him to me was his dedication and devotion to his son and his family. It is not something I can say enough, this world is truly better for having a man like him in it. 

I had originally reached out to Ryan about doing a Masters Class collaboration featuring Star Wars shots. He agreed and was excited to participate and offer us his wisdom and advice. When he asked what day it was, and I told him it would be September 9th, he was even more excited as that was his birthday. With that in mind, it seemed only fitting to continue the Masters Class on that date, with the exception being that it was no longer a Star Wars themed Masters Class, but rather a tribute to a key player in this community that we lost too soon. Along with Ryan, the second participant of this Star Wars collab was to be @Tho_r2012. Thor did a tribute Star Wars shot and answered some questions regarding Star Wars toy photography. The tail end of this tribute will still serve as the Star Wars Masters Class, as I am sure Ryan wouldn’t want it to be ignored. 

I have also reached out to several of Ryan’s closest friends and peers here in the action figure photography community and asked them to pick their favorite shots of Ryan’s, or to create tribute pics. I also asked them some questions about the legend Tusken Traders, and in their own words describe the positive impact he had had on them, not just in the topic of photography, but as a person impacted by the generous and kind actions of the man himself. I would like to personally thank Path the Collector, Blitz Figs, Yimbo, Isiah McSwain, Thor, Toy Father, Zombie Clown, and Green Geek for sharing their stories about Ryan. In what must still too fresh and too painful a situation, they still opened up and shared their stories, because the impact Ryan had had on them was too important not to share. 

Regarding Ryan’s action figure photography, what are some things that he had helped you with that inspired your own shots? Style, lighting, mood, etc? 

Path- “In regards To Ryan as a toy photographer and his influence man where do I begin. He was one of the very first people I became a fan of on here, started talking to me on a nearly daily basis about wrestling, toys, toy hunting, star wars. For the longest I just took pics and did dragged out edits with my phone. He was pushing me ALWAYS to get a camera, take the chance and tap my potential. I finally got a camera and he was first to call me up, explain settings to me, lens, format. I started to play in lighting and he schooled me there as well. Soft tones, heavy tones, front and back positioning. Most importantly tho he made sure I kept in mind its all supposed to be fun. This is a hobby, these are toys, things and characters we love. If were not having fun,  then why do it? We're all just grown kids, enjoying the characters we love.”

“Ryan’s lighting style, Ryan’s favorite Deadpool, stone cold Steve Austin one of Ryan’s favorites, spidy and Dino’s. This felt like Ryan took the picture after I took it.” -Path

Toy Father- “Ryan and I shared the same love of dark photos.  We both shared lighting ideas.  However, we both really loved sharing funny ideas for our shots.  He had a great humor and could bring it to life in his photos.  I loved looking at his shots and see how he would incorporate humor into it.”

Blitz- “We are always our biggest critic, but Ryan was always there to give you ideas and support. He helped me with portrait style shots when I first branched out from black series figures into other lines.he use help me with angled lighting so I wouldn’t get the glare effect on the figures. He knew what he was talking about and always ready to help someone.”

Green- “One of the things that ryan helped me with on my own shots definitely was lighting. He had this way of using lighting to not only help set the mood of the shot but also in helping to tell the story he was wanting to tell in his shots.  Purple and pink were his favorite combos to use and definitely inspired me to experiment with and try out new settings/ color mixtures.”

Green’s tribute shot to Ryan 

Zombie Clown- “Ryan inspired me to explore close up shots like portraits which opened up a new love of photography for me and somthing that I stick to. His shots were always somthing that inspired me to try new things because of how talented he was. His comedy shots were my favorite. Always made me laugh.”

Zombie Clowns favorite pic of Ryan’s 

Thor- “The biggest thing Ryan did was get me to move from taking pics with my phone, to using my SLR camera. He even sent me a lightning adapter to pull my pics from my camera to my phone for editing and posting. Ryan’s use of colors have always played a role in my shots.”

Yimbo- “I went back to the very first time Ryan and I spoke through DMs, and he had sent me a picture of a light he used in a shot. I remembered where it came from instantly. He had this picture of Deadpool in front of a TV and I had commented asking how he pulled it off. That first Walmart light recommendation turned into us pushing each other in both skill and creativity. His shots and encouragement pushed me to buy camera and really deep dive into the photography side of the hobby. His lighting was always on point, and he helped me there tremendously as well in figuring out my camera settings and how to best use my RGB lights. The last major influence of Ryan’s on my own style is the use of accessories. He would pack SO many Easter eggs and details into each scene that I followed his lead in that regard. We also enabled each other into buying many, many garbage cans and dumpsters etc over the months”

McSwain- “Ryan’s photos inspired me to do some funny photos, not just serious/ fighting scenes. He definitely was an inspiration to get a Deadpool I’ve never really known much about Deadpool until I saw Ryan’s photos.”

McSwain’s tribute photo to Ryan, featuring Ryan’s favorite characters 

Regarding Ryan as a person and a fellow toy photography enthusiast, how did he impact you the most? 

Path- “As a person, Ryan was damn near a mentor to me. No matter what was going on in his life he made sure you knew he had time to chat if you needed. When my daughter was born he was one of the very first to congratulate me. Checkin in to see how i was adjusting to parenthood. He set the bar every day for what a father and husband was. If you talked to him not even daily, he more than likely mentioned his boy Finn. Ryan was a mans man, set all others before himself.”

Toy Father- “When you are in the world of IG, everyone is a faceless and nameless being.  I am always guarded with my interactions and sometimes I have no idea who I can trust. 

Ryan was always  someone who shared so much about his life.  I truly got to know him as a person.  We shared stories of being fathers and husbands.  We talked about being local and we met up a few times in person.  He and I would text each other almost everyday.  I always admire how he did everything for his son and his wife.  He was a great dad and family guy.  He had a great wit and humor to him. I can say that tusken was a true friend, not some faceless IG person that I chat with occasionally. Tusken is gonna be missed greatly.  He was what made this community amazing.  We need more people like him.”

Toy Fathers favorite photo of Ryan’s 

Blitz- “Wow. There are so many ways he impacted me as a toy photographer, and as a person. He was the first person to speak to me in the toy community. And was so genuine from the beginning. We clicked right away because we were both heavy into Star Wars and then eventually branched out. We always talked about styles and lighting and posing he would push me and hype me up saying my shots made him want to do better, but in reality I was always trying to be better like him and a lot of the fellas in the community. He also impacted me with how amazing of a father he was l. He did anything and everything for Finn, that many will never know.”

Blitz tribute shot to Ryan

Green- “Wow.  Ryan definitely had one of the biggest hearts in this community. I believe one of the most important things Ryan left me with and many others is a sense of brotherhood.  He was responsible for bringing together the “Has_bros”, and through him and that group i have met some of the most amazing people I have been truly blessed to call my brothers. He impact will be felt for many years to come and I will try every day, with every shot, to honor the legacy he left behind for.”

Zombie Clown- “Ryan was a truly unique person. That I'm glad I got to meet and talk with. His toy follow as quite impressive and o got to learn a lot about Ryan through the toys he collected. Ryan's life impacted my life in many ways. But I think taking the time through struggles to enjoy life is somthing he taught me.”

Thor- “He was genuine. And he never failed to make me laugh. Sometimes he’d even message me to ask if he went to far with his sense of humor and I tell him, if they didn’t get your zingers that’s their problem.”

Yimbo- “Ryan shared some very heavy details about his life early on, and I attribute those conversations to breaking down my walls in regards to talking to “talking to people on the internet”. I know a lot of us joined the toy community around the same time (looking at you 2020) and from the friends I since made, I’ve heard similar versions of trepidation when first starting out. Ryan’s sincerity and genuine nature led me to making so many more friends and connections on here, and his passing really caught many of us off guard as to how much we really do mean to each other. More than the toy and photography, our discussions about life left a lasting mark to not just enjoy each day, but to truly appreciate it. I know people sometimes question where I generate my positivity from, and that’s it…it comes from a place of gratitude. Thanks again, Ryan.”

Yimbo’s tribute shot to Ryan 

McSwain- “Ryan was always kind and he would think about me when he entered a new chat even if we hadn’t talked in a little while. That really meant the world to me to know he was like hey I want Isaiah in this chat with us. Ryan was a great friend who always thought of others, I love you brother and I will see you on the other side.”

Above is the tribute shot that Thor made for Tusken. It also is his submission for the Star Wars Masters Class. I have asked Thor some additional questions regarding Star Wars figure photography. I thank him for taking the time to answer these as well. 

Regarding Star Wars centric shots, what are some tips and tricks you can offer to help give everyone a better grasp on delivering the mood and tone for a shot? IE lighting, props, scenery etc. 

“When we think of Star Wars we think of cinematic visuals and lighting plays a huge role in recreating that cinema look, whether you’re inside or outside. Lighting also plays a role because in many shots you’re post editing light to a lightsaber for the effect, and adding a color light to your shot that matches the color of the lightsaber is a good way to convey the overall effect.”

A lot of people struggle with properly pulling off a lightsaber shot, what are some tips you can offer for folks to bring a lightsaber to life? Is there a certain editing app, lighting technique etc. 

“Piggybacking on the last question, I currently use the Werble app to do all my lightsaber effects.”

What is it about Star Wars that appeals to you? Be that the figures, shows, books, comics, movies etc?

“Wow, I’m immersed in Star Wars as a property. Drawn to it first and foremost by the movies and shows, and then reenforced by the figures of all sizes that at times can be direct replications of their live action or animated counterparts.”

If we lived in the world of Star Wars, would you be a steadfast Jedi? Or do you think you could become seduced by the appeal of the Sith?

“I’d definitely start out as a Jedi but would probably find myself leaving the order to become a grey Jedi. I like the neutrality of the grey Jedi, as I believe fundamentally both the Jedi and the Sith deal in absolutes or in compromising dogma.”

Lastly, of all your Star Wars figure, what is your most prized toy? And what is your favorite to shoot? And why?

“Probably currently my most prized Star Wars toys are two things, my Clone Wars final season Hot Toys Ahsoka and my Black Series Bad Batch brothas that I slightly altered with paint/accessories to get them to match exactly with their animated appearances. Hmm favorite to shoot would have to be any of my Mandos”