Interested in film stills photography, but don’t have access to detailed movie sets, ultra-realistic props and an army of actors? Toy photography might be a suitable way to scratch your movie-making itch – it’s a great way to create and shoot otherwise unattainable, cinematic sci-fi and fantasy-themed worlds from the comfort of your own home. 

Our space blizzard scene – inspired by The Empire Strikes Back’s infamous Battle of Hoth – might look like a fairly involved process, but it was created using a few Lego models, rocks found in the back yard, a bag of flour and Adobe Photoshop CC. You don’t need to be a master model maker to create a convincing scene, since you only have to worry about what the camera sees. 

• Here’s how to create a jump to lightspeed effect in Photoshop (opens in new tab)

Add a few in-camera special effects – including a specialist Adaptalux light – a shallow depth of field and a couple of editing tricks, and you can disguise anything rough around the edges. Just make sure you use a weatherproof camera, an old camera or a rain cover for protection, because it’s going to get messy…

01 Keep it constant

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Flash can often prove too powerful when shooting close-ups, so we recommend using continuous lighting. We directed an LED panel onto our diorama from the right. This created defined, cinematic shadows, so we opted not to fill them by placing another panel on the left. A second light (a Lume Cube) was placed behind the scene – without encroaching into the frame – to create a soft backlight that would mimic the sun. Many LED lights enable you to alter the color temperature. We set our panel to 5600K, to roughly represent daylight.

02 Cover your camera!

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Even if your camera is weather-sealed, we wouldn’t recommend knowingly exposing it to sand, grit or anything else with small particles that could potentially work its way into the body, unless you absolutely have to. Our scene involved using flour as snow, which gets everywhere, whether you protect your camera or not, so we used a makeshift camera and lens cover (using a freezer bag) to protect our setup from the bulk of the cooking ingredient. If you’re lucky enough to have an old camera or lenses, this would be the ideal time to use them. 

03 Camera settings

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We used an aperture of f/6.3 to provide a shallow depth of field that would effectively hide any inconsistencies within the scenery, and a shutter speed of both 1/100 sec and 1/400 sec. This enabled us to blur the flying flour and freeze it still before blending multiple images together in Photoshop using layer masks. However, if you’re not confident using layer masks, you can also use multiple air blowers (you’ll need an assistant to fire the shutter or operate a blower) to capture a similar effect in-camera.

04 Flour power

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Set burst mode to continuous high and use a remote shutter release (if you have one) to fire the shutter. Fire off a burst of shots while sprinkling flour to create snowfall, or use an air blower to fire particles across the frame. We directed our flour explosions away from the Lego Millennium Falcon, so it looked like the thrusters were creating the plumes. We focused on the screaming figurine using manual focus but, if you use AF, switch to manual focus before shooting to prevent refocusing or hunting.

05 Add a little flare

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The lens flare and glow from the ship’s thrusters were created in Photoshop CC. The latter uses a similar technique to our Lightsaber tutorial, with motion blur added via Filter > Blur > Motion Blur. The flare is created by going to Filter > Render > Lens Flare and selecting ‘105mm Prime’. In both instances, you need to create the effects on a black layer before changing the blend mode to Screen.

What’s the Adaptalux Studio?

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Although the blue blast from the spaceship’s thrusters was added in post, we used blue LED lighting to create the cool glow that it would emit in-camera. You could do this by simply attaching a blue gel to an LED light. However, we had access to a specialist piece of equipment called the Adaptalux Studio. This modular LED lighting system can house up to six Lighting Arms, of which various colours are available. Each arm is flexible, so you can set them in a variety of positions. We attached the Control Pod to a hot shoe mount via its 1/4-inch thread and then onto our camera’s hot shoe. The blue Lighting Arm was then angled over the scene accordingly.

How to get Adobe Photoshop CC

Adobe offers three subscription-based Photography Plans, which you can click on below. We recommend either the regular Photography Plan, or the Photography Plan (1TB), which costs more but comes with 1TB of online storage.

For this tutorial and for anyone who likes to work on a single main computer, we recommend the regular Creative Cloud Photography Plan (opens in new tab). This is the cheapest way to get started AND it comes with Lightroom and Lightroom Classic too.

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BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – When photographers in the area think of the perfect backdrops that represent Bismarck and Mandan, they find themselves shooting toward sites like the Capitol and Fort Abraham Lincoln. But one of their favorites is the historic rail bridge, and now they might have to find a new background.

Josh Kadrmas has pointed his lens at the historic rail bridge for many years, but soon, he will have to shift focus.

“I think anytime you are taking pictures in the Bismarck-Mandan area, that’s usually the go-to spot, is the bridge in the background,” said Kadrmas.

For many, the bridge is seen as an iconic landmark in the Bismarck-Mandan area. From family photos to even magazine covers, it is one of the most photographed places in the capital city.

“It’s the kind of thing people like around here. They are just like, ‘We would really like to have the bridge in our pictures,’” said photographer Deborah Kates.

Photographers say they like how the bridge creates a unique background for their photos.

“It would be fascinating to see just how many people have used just the bridge as either the focal point or just the backdrop for family pictures,” said Kadrmas.

The bridge held strong through the shift from film to digital photography, but likely won’t be here for the next step. This will leave photographers without a muse.

“I’d probably have to look for another spot, I just think it would be a real loss,” said Kates.

In the meantime, photographers will surely be capturing the bridge so it will forever be preserved in pictures.

Last week, BNSF gained the final two permits the company needed to tear down and build a new bridge. Friends of the Rail Bridge say they are challenging those permits by looking to get them appealed.

Copyright 2023 KFYR. All rights reserved.

The arts are an important part of youth and education. Art teaches us to look at the world beyond ourselves and at the beauty of everyday occurrences around us and within each other.

Started by high school photography instructors, the Washington State High School, Photography Competition (WSHSPC), believes all children should have the opportunity to speak their minds through photography and express their art.

“Art and photography celebrate the moments in life worth capturing,” Kelly Atkinson, Executive Director of WSHSPC said. “Students exposed to photography gain flexibility in their thinking, independence and improved communication skills.”

The competition was formed by a group of high school photography instructors in the mid-80’s as a way of elevating student photography. Early competitions included only a handful of high schools and a few hundred entries, but with passionate instructors and eager students, entries are now up to 4,000. The panel of three judges consist of working professionals from the imaging industry.

“It’s the largest event of its kind in the country,” Atkinson said. “We receive more entries than in private contests like National Geographic. It’s a huge confidence booster for a student to be recognized in a contest like this.”

In the 1990’s the event attracted sponsorship and public awareness due to exhibits at the Seattle Art Museum (SAM), featured articles in the Seattle Times, and a segment on KING TV’s Evening Magazine and New Day programs.

Winners are recognized at the first through sixth place levels and finalist ribbons and select ribbons are also awarded. Nearly ten percent of the photos get recognized in some way, which gives students a sense of pride and accomplishment.

“Since 2006, Northwest Framing has been an important in-kind contributor to our event by expertly matting and framing our traveling exhibit,” Atkinson shared. “They help us advance our mission and submit art at SAM, which allows students to see their art on display. At the end of the contest Northwest Framing helps us provide the pieces back to the students as a gift, which they display in their homes.”

From 1995 to 2001 Atkinson along with Steve Dodd, Northwest Framing CEO, and Sean Dulan, Northwest Framing Museum Quality Framing Tacoma shop manager were on the board of directors at Youth in Focus, which is how Northwest Framing got involved with supporting WSHSPC.  Northwest Framing donates their time and materials so the student photographs can be framed for exhibit.

“If Northwest Framing and Kenmore Camera had not stepped in, this wouldn’t be going on,” Atkinson said. “The amount of volunteer help is crucial.”

The majority of WSHSPC support is in-kind. Entries fees help give a little support, but WSHSPC is always looking for additional sponsorship. For more information contact Kelly Atkinson, Executive Director, at [email protected].

To obtain more ideas and become familiar with the art of printing and framing, explore Frame Central or Museum Quality Framing, part of the Northwest Framing family. Trained designers are waiting to provide you with a free design consultation on custom and local handcrafted framing and professional digital printing. 

Photo Name: “Sunrise on the Moon”

Photo credit: Brennen Tse

About the photo: “After driving three hours through the dark from Bryce Canyon in the badlands of central Utah, I was greeted by this beautiful sunrise. I am very proud of this photo.”

Photo Name: “Architecture”

Photo Credit: Aria Knutson

About the photo: “When I toured the University of British Columbia, I had no clue that I would be taking a photo that would win the architecture division in the Washington State Photography Contest. While I was walking around the campus, I noticed a set of red deck chairs sitting next to a fountain and immediately took notice. The light from the setting sun cast a beautiful shadow off of the red deck chairs and reflected off of the fountain’s water. This prompted me to take out my camera so I could capture the image.”

Photo Name: “Manipulation”

Photo Credit: Marcus Rodriguez

About the photo: “Through two seemingly simple pictures combined into one, I have realized that a good photo is waiting to be taken everywhere around us at every moment. This has opened me to a new world of creativity.”

Jennifer Lopez directed a professional photographer on exactly how to shoot her at the Met Gala.

In a video shared by Glamor, Lopez was filmed giving a photographer detailed instructions at the Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday evening.

Lopez is seen instructing the photographer on how she wants to be shot for the full-length portrait.

The actress and singer tells the photographer to first go lower with his camera, Lopez then tells him to shoot upward with his camera.

Lopez says to the photographer that this specific camera angle will make her “look taller” in the images that he takes.

Lopez is seemingly still not content with the camera angle that he’s taking and she tells the photographer again that he has to tilt his camera upwards to get the best shot of her.

Lopez gestures at the camera and tells the photographer: “You have to point it up. You have to point it up.”

When she is happy with the camera angle, Lopez puts her hand on her hip and happily poses for the photographer.

Flattering Camera Angles

Social media users debated Lopez’s specific instructions to the photographer — as holding a camera high and angling downwards is traditionally considered more flattering for the subject. Some individuals suggested that Lopez’s directions to the photographer on camera angle would give a subject a double chin in the images.

@lookgoodinphotos Jennifer Lopez’s Secret To Great Full Body Photos | Want to look better in full body photos? Try out this photo hack @Glamour captured @JLO using at the 2023 Met Gala Red Carpet! THE HACK: Have your photographer lower the camera and tilt the lens upward. This gives the illusion that you’re longer and shows off your outfit beautifully! – #celebrityposes #fullbodyposes #MetGala2023 #metgala #jenniferlopez #jlo ♬ original sound – CHRISTINE BUZAN | POSING TIPS

However in a TikTok video, which has amassed 3.4 million views, posing expert Christine Buzan broke down Lopez’s instructions to the photographer.

“Basically she’s asking the photographer to go from a lower angle, and then to tilt the camera upwards so it’s looking at her from a lower angle going up,” Buzan says in the clip

The posing expert says that a lower camera angle will make the subject look taller and longer. She also adds that the camera can be held at the height of one’s stomach but the device should be tilted back slightly by the photographer.

“When you’re shooting at a lower camera angle, you don’t have to go all the way down to the ground,” Buzan explains.

“Instead, think about having the camera’s lens at about the height of your stomach and then instead of having it straight on, make sure that it’s titled upwards slightly.

“You’ll end up looking longer, more statuesque and you’ll be able to show off your outfit beautifully.”

Posing experts are on the rise and subjects want to have more control on how they are shot in photos. Last year, PetaPixel reported on David Suh who runs a course entitled “How to be Photogenic in 30 Days.”

Image credits: Images via Glamour.

I think NASA rather undersells its photography – YOU TAKE PHOTOS IN SPACE FFS, THAT IS VERY COOL – which is evidenced in the low-key presentation of this selection of photos from the past year of the agency. BUT! There are some really good ones in here, my particular favourite being this ultra-scifi image from what is apparently a ‘Moog Test Flight’ (no, me neither).

PROVO, Utah — George Ngatuvai, who lives in Provo, captures the essence of those who came before him through his cultural portraits. It’s his gift to the younger generation to help them remember their roots.

Just before the sun set in Daybreak, Ngatuvai captured his latest subject.

“My niche is cultural photography, where I really specialize in the cultures of the South Pacific.”

Taylorsville High senior, Loa Reupena, wanted to do something special for her graduation announcement.

“She did her regular fits before this — her dress and then cap and gown,” Ngatuvai said. “She’s finishing off with her traditional Samoan attire.”

We’re celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month on KSL Today…
Coming up at 6:30 a.m. – I’ll show you the unique way a local photographer is connecting the younger generation to their island roots. KSL 5 TV pic.twitter.com/tE53pwBuev

— Tamara Vaifanua (@TamaraVaifanua) May 3, 2023

It’s quite a production his partner, Katrina Lesa, takes on at every shoot with a lot of pride.

“It means everything because some girls have never been back to the islands, and I like it because it helps them connect to their culture and their ancestors,” Lesa said.

That’s what drives Ngatuvai’s passion project, which he started during the pandemic.

“I’m Tongan. Both of my parents are from Tonga and we grew up very influenced by our culture,” Ngatuvai said. “I just loved seeing everything from the dances to the cultural get up. And I wanted to share it with the world and share it with the people who would find the joy in it as well.”

Frame by frame, Ngatuvai connects with his ancestors and gives the youth — like Loa — an outlet to proudly represent their culture.

“It’s fulfilling. It fills my cup to be able to help do my part. I’m not a cultural expert, but we’re always learning.”

Ngatuvai just recently wrapped up his high school senior shoots for the season.

He’s been traveling back and forth to New York City where he dabbles in fashion show photography.

He plans to move there in the next year or so to pursue his passion full-time.

Click here to check out his work.