The Nightmare Before Christmas

The Nightmare Before Christmas by Tim Burton is one of my all-time favorite movies and I was inspired by a short clip made entirely of paper cut diorama I saw months ago. I've decided to create one but, instead of using paper, I used a cardboard (behind-the scene images below).

What shall we do next, Zero?

Oh, hello there, Zero!

Jack and Sally.

Sharing the behind the scene:

I first sketched the trees and hill. Then I extracted the images using a cutter. I used styro as a base and since I used a cardboard, I did not have a hard time making it stand. For the shoot, I used crepe paper then placed the lamps behind it (as shown below).

Excited to do more of this type of diorama using my other 2-3 inches toys. An inexpensive way to create a quick diorama and the result is equally satisfying.

-Fin-

McDonald's Happy Meal Minions

Minions! Minions! Minions! They are everywhere...and my niece [and I] are going ga-ga over these cute toys. So, once I again, took my camera and some of my old diorama sets to re-create scenes from TV/Movies using the McDonald's Happy Meal toys.


Serenading Maria.
One of the memorable scenes in Dreamworks' Animated Film, Book of Life.

Karate Minion from the movie Karate Kid.

I am Groot! I am Kevin! From the movie Guardians of the Galaxy.

Do you bleed? From the upcoming movie Batman v Superman.

I have the Banana! From Filmation's He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. 

And the famous scene from the movie E.T.
 

Another set coming soon. :)

May The Fourth Be With You

May the Fourth Be With You! Well, more like Revenge of the Fifth already. Ha! :)

Made these last minute images for a contest sponsored by My Wonder Factory. The first image managed to land in the Top 10 out of 167 entries and the final round is on-going.


Fighting on Kamino. 
Obi Wan Kenobi v Jango Fett.

How I made the shot? 
I made the base using foam board then added the yellow lights and reflection using CS. I used a LCD screen for the Kamino background. Like with my other flight scenes, I used a string on Jango Fett then erased it afterwards in CS. Of course, the light saber, fire and other effects were rendered using CS.


And Please vote for my entry. To vote, simple click this LINK and hit LIKE. Will very much appreciate, guys! :)  


Showdown on Coruscant. 
Mace Windu v Lord Sidious 

How I made the shot? 
Like with my previous shot, I used a LCD for the background. The base was made of styro foam then I covered it with a board before painting. Effects were rendered using CS.

Thanks!

The Ladies of Etheria (Part 1)

Finally decided to open some of my Princess of Power figures and boy they're awesome! So, I took them for a little spin. :)

I just downloaded some background and used a base I previously made. I used string for flight scenes and even in some 'vanilla' scenes since I find the figures really difficult to stand/pose. Take for instance Entrapta. Her hair is too heavy to achieve the post below, so, I tied her hair to a string then removed it afterwards using CS.

Let's trash this place, girls! Scorpia, Entrapta and Catra,

Octavia cometh.

Oh deary-my, let's tell the others! Madam Razz and Broom

Move! Glimmer and Storm Troopers.

I will cut you, Flutterina! Flutterina and Catra.

This is just the first part of the POP series and I can't wait or the next weekend to take photos of Sweet Bee, Light Hope and the rest of the gang. :)

Bonus:

Here's to show you how I achieved the final look on one of the images above:
1. I removed the glare (lower right of the raw file) by cropping the picture.
2. There are different ways to delete the (a) string and (b) glare (Flutterina's wings and sword), but, I'm comfortable using the CLONE tool in CS.
3. I have to make the base blend with the background so I used Change Color in CS to make it brownish. 
4. Then I added a black filter to desaturate the color making it more dramatic.

Also, if you are on Instagram, follow me @ toyphotographyaddict and like my FB page. Thanks!

The Dark Knight Rises (PlayArts Kai)

The Dark Knight Rises by Play Arts

Similar with last year, and a year before that, I startd my year with a Batman toy shoots. Ha! This year is no different, and I decided to do some scenes from The Dark Knight Rises using the ultra sleek and fully articulated Play Arts Kai. 

For the first 2 shots, I used an LCD screen and a chimney that I have also used before. Using Photoshop, I desaturated and added photo filter to add drama. 

I said no guns, Selina. 

Now for the following images, I've created Bane's lair from scratch using sticks, chicken wire, illustration board, foam board, spray and acrylic paints. Will show you the behind-the-scene and making of the diorama soon. 

Sorry...

Let us not stand on ceremony, Mr. Wayne!

Shameless Plug:
 I joined a local toy photo contest and the last image is my entry. One of the categories is the most number of likes. Would really, really, really appreciate if you can check my entry and hit like. Here's the direct link Click Here 

Also, I'm supporting 2 good friends and fellow toy photography addicts, Ryan and Lionel. Hope you can also like their amazing entries. Here's the direct link for Ryan's entry: Click Here 

And here's the link for Lionel: Click Here

-Fin-

75 Years of Batman

Batman is celebrating his 75th birthday this year and fans all over the world are treated with events showcasing the caped crusader's history throughout the years.
A group of toy collectors from the South of the Metro got invited to exhibit their Batman figures and vehicles at SM BF, Paranaque in October 24-31, 2014. 

The many faces of Batsie. One side of the mini theater.

Fans were also treated to a special screening of Batman's various vehicles from 66 up to The Bat.

The event would not be complete without showcasing some Batman action figures and some of Gotham City's key characters. I also got to display some of my action figures and vehicles together with my fellow toy collectors from the south of the Metro -- Jeffrey Velasquez and sons, Raffy Panganiban, Karsen Bob Teh, PJ Arcellana, JC Rivera and Liam Caballes.

Truly a great year for Batman fans, not only we're being bombarded with tons of collectibles but also, we get to celebrate Batman's history and introduce him to the new generation of Batman fans. Cheers, Batman! And please watch your back. :)

Little Ghost, Little Ghost

Little ghost, little ghost
One I'm scared of the most
Can you scare me up a little bit of love?

-- well, that's the end credit song of the movie. A song that will almost got stuck for hours after watching Paranorman. I have seen the movie countless times and yep, 'will see it again today.

 The toys were released by Huckleberry 2 years ago and each of the 4 zombies comes with a tombstone while Alvin comes with a book and Norman comes with a zombie hand. 

 In the movie, Norman was haunted by his uncle in the restroom then had an episode and he was transported in a forest standing on a toiler bowl and the tissues are forming zombies reaching for him.

TIP: For the hand, I used twisties then wrapped it with a tissue paper. I then enhanced it using Photoshop to give that certain 'ghostly' feel.

In the movie, Norman started reading the book the in the cemetery. Then it's all hell from thereon.

Then we see Norman and Alvin fleeing the cemetery and into his uncle's cabin. 

TIP: I used green lamp to achieve this effect.

Still trying to figure out how to do the next scene because the characters released by Huckleberry are just limited. Hope you enjoy and feel free to share. :)

Happy Halloween, everyone! :)