Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Toy Photography // Kermit & Robin

To overcome life's rapids one just needs to find balance.

Had a blast creating this image! All practical fx as usual. Taken in one shot, although this was my 3rd or 4th take. Love how Kermit's nephew Robin is actually riding that wave of water.
Follow me on Instagram to see a lot more toy photography
Toy Photography by Mitchel Wu Photography
Email mitchel@mitchelwu.com for more information


Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Toy Photographer // Lowepro Storyteller


Thankful for Family


This is an image I created for the Lowepro Storytellers Blog, my first one created as a Lowepro Storyteller. Every month Lowepro gives their team of Storytellers a theme to create an image around. The theme for November was "thankful."  The word "Thankful" can have many different meanings depending on the context it's used in.  For me, I am thankful for my family.  You can see the actual post on the Lowepro blog HERE.


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Toy Photography by Mitchel Wu Photography
Email mitchel@mitchelwu.com for more information


Friday, December 2, 2016

Toy Photography // Kermit the Frog


"Still my guitar gently weeeeeeeps..."

New toy alert!  Excited to see what kind of fun adventures Kermit will go on!  Let's welcome Kermit to the toy box!

Follow me on Instagram to see a lot more toy photography
Toy Photography by Mitchel Wu Photography
Email mitchel@mitchelwu.com for more information


Sunday, November 20, 2016

Toy Photography // Hot Wheels Star Wars


Hot Wheels & Other Cool Rides

Here's an assortment of amazing Hot Wheels cars, Star Wars vehicles and other toys.  All were created using practical effects, meaning everything was photographed in the scene in real time, with minimal digital effects added for laser blasts and rocket thrust.

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Toy Photography by Mitchel Wu Toy Photography












Friday, November 18, 2016

Los Angeles Toy Photographer // Toy Story Series


Toy Story - To Infinity and Beyond!!

I create amazing Toy Story imagery using real toys.  Images are created using practical effects. Flying objects, cracked eggs, smoke, fire, splashing liquids... all real, and all photographed real time in the scene. 

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Toy Photography by Mitchel Wu Photography
Email mitchel@mitchelwu.com for more information









Wednesday, November 16, 2016

California Toy Photographer // Lego Minifigures


LEGO Minifigure Photography


These three images are my first foray into LEGO photography.  The top image, titled Emergence, is featured in the gorgeous LEGO photography magazine, Bricks Culture.  

LEGO Minifigures are just that... mini figures.  They measure roughly 1.50" tall and have minimal articulation. Given this, they still allow amazing stories to be told and photograph beautifully.

My toy photography is created using practical effects. Flying dirt and debris, smoke, fire, splashing liquids... all real, and all photographed real time in the scene. 

Follow me on Instagram to see a lot more toy photography
Toy Photography by Mitchel Wu Photography
Email mitchel@mitchelwu.com for more information

Emergence

Evil Robot's One Way Trip to the Parts Bin

Some Potion for Your Emotion?

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Toy Photography // Ant-Man Series


Ant-Man Toy Photography

This is a series of fun Ant-Man images created over the past couple of months.  These are very small, fixed-pose figures.  The challenge with fixed-pose figures, regardless of size, is coming up with more than one or two stories with them.  I consider myself a storyteller first, and photographer second.  This definitely helps when working with these types of figures.

My toy photography is created using practical effects. Flying dirt and debris, smoke, fire, splashing liquids... all real, and all photographed real time in the scene. 

Follow me on Instagram to see more toy photography
Toy Photography by Mitchel Wu Photography
Email mitchel@mitchelwu.com for more information











Monday, November 14, 2016

Toy Photography // Alien vs Stormtroopers


Death's Doorstep

Luckless Stormtroopers are often the equivalent of the Red Shirts in the original Star Trek series...nameless and never catching a break, almost always ending up dead haha!

My toy photography is created using practical effects. Flying dirt and debris, smoke, fire, splashing liquids... all real, and all photographed real time in the scene. 

Image created with the help of my valued partners Lowepro Bags, SOG Knives and Spider Holster.

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Toy Photography by Mitchel Wu Photography
Email mitchel@mitchelwu.com for more information


Sunday, November 13, 2016

Toy Photographer // Lowepro Storytellers

It's In The Bag!!


I'm thrilled to announce that I've joined Lowepro's Storytellers team...their first toy photographer. Lowepro is a worldwide leader in camera bags and backpacks. I'll be having an EPIC GIVEAWAY to introduce Lowepro and my other partners, SOG Knives and Spider Holster, so stay tuned - I'll be announcing it soon!


Learn more about my partners here:

http://www.lowepro.com/


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Toy Photography by Mitchel Wu Photography
Email mitchel@mitchelwu.com for more information


Friday, November 11, 2016

Toy Photography // Spider Holster Promo Code


SPIDER HOLSTER
As you may know, I recently joined the Spider Holster team as Brand Ambassador. I've used the Spider Holster and SpiderPro Hand Strap for years, so it's very easy for me to sing its praises. Spider makes two versions of the holster - the Spider Pro, which is for full-sized DSLRs, and now the Spider Light, for smaller/mirrorless bodies.
If you've ever considered getting a Spider Holster, I'm happy to provide the following promo code. Use code RAD20 to get 20% off your first order of $50.00 or more at http://spiderholster.com
Or if you're interested in the Spider Light for smaller/mirrorless bodies, check out the Kickstarter campaign currently running (but only 5 days remain) for an amazing deal - http://spiderholster.com/kickstarter
Happy shooting!!

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Toy Photography by Mitchel Wu Photography
Email mitchel@mitchelwu.com for more information


Monday, November 7, 2016

Toy Photographer // Los Angeles California


The Offering - From Future King to Future Meal :O
This cute little Rafiki and Simba figure is a fixed pose toy, meaning it's not an articulated action figure. But without a doubt it beautifully captures the most iconic scene of the movie. But one really has limited use with these fixed pose toys... after one photo they're pretty much spent. Except in this case I woke up in the middle of the night and this odd little concept popped into my head, haha! For comparison I also included my original image of Rafiki and Simba on Pride Rock - an image that's a little truer to the movie. It's amazing how the context change affects the same toy. Which do you prefer? 

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Toy Photography by Mitchel Wu Photography
Email mitchel@mitchelwu.com for more information



Sunday, November 6, 2016

Toy Photography // SOG Knives


Livin' On The Edge!!

Ant-Man is up to more of his antics... this time running along the blade of a knife that was just thrown to dispatch him!

The knife pictured here is from the Pacific Northwest Company, SOG Knives & Tools.  I'm thrilled and proud to be sponsored by SOG as I use SOG multi-tools daily in the creation of my toy imagery - it's an essential and valued piece of equipment in my bag.  SOG's products (I use their multi-tools, knives and flashlights) are beautifully designed and bulletproof tough.  Can't recommend them enough!  Check them out at https://www.sogknives.com

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Toy Photography by Mitchel Wu Photography
Email mitchel@mitchelwu.com for more information


Friday, November 4, 2016

Toy Photographer // Halloween Toy Photography

It was a great Halloween for toy photography!  Of course what could be more appropriate than a Nightmare Before Christmas setup!  And the Ant-Man image was pure serendipity - I noticed one of the pumpkins we bought had an amazingly fun stem on it... perfect for Ant-Man to run along.

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Toy Photography by Mitchel Wu Photography
Email mitchel@mitchelwu.com for more information

I'm a master of fright, and a deeeemon of light! 


I will SQUASH you!! (Get it? Squash??)


Saturday, October 29, 2016

Toy Photography // Star Wars R2D2


On A Misson!

I love how the right setting and light can make a 2" plastic toy come to life.  My toy photography is created using practical effects. Flying dirt and debris, smoke, fire, splashing liquids... all real, and all photographed real time in the scene. 

Follow me on Instagram to see a lot more toy photography

Toy Photography by Mitchel Wu Photography
Email mitchel@mitchelwu.com for more information


Friday, October 28, 2016

Toy Photographer // SOG Knives

Super stoked to announce my collaboration with SOG Knives & Tools as their first toy photographer ambassador. I've found that a quality multi-tool is as important to my toy photography as any other piece of equipment in my gear bag, and SOG makes absolutely incredible multi-tools! From cutting, crimping and shaping wire supports in the field, to quick repairs of toys and gear, to MacGyvering whatever needs MacGyvering... a good multi-tool can handle it all and is an essential part of my process. Check out SOG's website to see all their cool gear - http://www.sogknives.com/. I'll be sharing a promo code for SOG gear shortly as well that can save you some dollars. Really rad company and product!

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Toy Photography by Mitchel Wu Photography
Email mitchel@mitchelwu.com for more information


Saturday, October 22, 2016

Toy Photographer // Ant-Man Magnifying Glass



Ant-Man's deadliest foe...a 10-year old boy with a magnifying glass!


I didn't realize that a magnifying glass casts a huge shadow everywhere except where the magnified point of light is. Strange!  But I love the wisp of smoke the magnifying glass created as it burned the branch.  



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Toy Photography by Mitchel Wu Photography
Email mitchel@mitchelwu.com for more information




Thursday, October 13, 2016

Toy Photography // SpiderPro Holster


The Perils of Toy Photography - Behind the Scenes

    The final image with Tie Fighters and laser blasts layered in.  

I had an absolute (laser) blast creating this image.  Fall weather seemed to have finally arrived in Southern California, so I knew I could take my time scouting the perfect location and not worry about the brutal desert heat.  I also knew that the location could make or break this image, so my goal was to find a rocky ledge that would allow a dramatic leap, as if dodging a couple of Tie Fighters' scorching laser blasts.  Sometimes great locations just fall into your lap, other times you have to work for them.  On this particular day I had to work for it, but in the end I feel it all paid off.  

A little about the gear shown in this post.  I paired my trusted Canon 5D Mark III with the always amazing Canon 135L lens.  An absolute killer combo for toy photography (and nearly any other kind of photography).  And keeping my camera securely attached to my hip was the amazing SpiderPro Holster.  In my experience, the SpiderPro Holster is THE only way to carry an easily accessible camera safely and securely in rugged terrain like this. The camera stays firmly and securely attached to your hip via the holster, but can be accessed with lightening speed like a six shooter in an old west gunfight. When my camera was out of its holster it was held securely to my hand with the SpiderPro Hand Strap... undeniably the best hand strap on the market (I'm not alone in this assessment - just research the reviews online). Even though I traversed some pretty demanding terrain, dropping my camera was never a concern with the hand strap, which allowed me to focus on maintaining solid footing instead.

When I finally found the ideal location for my image I made the jump exactly as seen in the final image.  My camera and lens, weighing close to 5 pounds, was held securely to my hip by the SpiderPro Holster throughout the process. I repeated this jump 4 or 5 times before getting an image I was satisfied with.  Don't try this at home kids... and definitely don't try it with a standard neck strap or dual strap system. 

I also took separate photos of the Tie Fighters so that I could extract them and layer them into the main photo later.  The laser blasts were created using Photoshop.

Searching for the ideal location. This wasn't it, but it worked fine for the shots of the Tie Fighters, and I knew it could be used for future toy photography setups. "Location, location, location" applies to toy photography as well as real estate.  

The amazing 5D Mark III and 135 f2/L partnered with the equally amazing SpiderPro Holster and Hand Strap.  I was working in an extreme environment with very precarious footing, but thankfully no photography gear was harmed in the making of this image! This carry-system is as at home in the harsh desert as it is at black tie events. 

Location successfully scouted!  4 or 5 jumps later and I have the shot.  I love how it appears to be a very deep ravine I'm jumping over.  In reality, it was more like a 4 foot drop.  Maybe closer to 6 feet when you factor my jumping vertically and out.  Notice the camera firmly planted on my side. As the band INXS once famously sang... Two worlds collided, and they could never tear us apart (my camera and I, that is)!

Learn more about the SpiderPro Holster and Hand Strap HERE.

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Toy Photography by Mitchel Wu Photography
Email mitchel@mitchelwu.com for more information