Little Worlds

Large Godzilla figure taken to the beach and photoshop used to add a city background

COVID was a strange time for everyone. The world suddenly became smaller, our routines disappeared, and we found ourselves looking for new ways to fill the days. For my kids and me, that meant picking up a camera and starting a little photography project that brought some much needed creativity and fun into our home.

Our most recent photo of a Star Wars Artillery Trooper 6” figure

We started by taking their toys and photographing them in a way that made them feel alive. Getting down to their level completely changed the perspective. A small toy suddenly became a character in its own adventure. A simple setup became a whole new world.

There was no pressure, no plan and no expectation. It was just about spending time together, using our imagination and seeing what stories we could create.

A figure from the movie Alien, with Godzilla in the background. We used a can compressed air, spray it upside down to produce some fog

When restrictions eased and we were allowed outside for short periods, our photography took another leap forward. We started taking the toys into the real world, using parks, streets and outdoor spaces as our backdrops. Suddenly these little characters had bigger environments to explore, and the possibilities became even more exciting.

K2SO figure at the beach. Using photoshop to add interest into the background works well.

The beach or coastline always seems to work well

Looking back, it's amazing how a strange and difficult period gave us the opportunity to slow down and find creativity in something so simple.

Sunrise at the coast, we took along a torch that worked well

Like many things, the project eventually came to a stop as life returned to normal. But recently, my son and I picked up our cameras and continued where we left off several years ago.

I'd forgotten just how much fun it is.

Raven figure from Teen Titans

Wall-e

This is a reminder that photography doesn't always have to be serious. Sometimes the best images come from simply getting down on the floor, seeing the world from a different angle, and letting your imagination take over.

A figure from the Alien movies. The wreck in the background is an old boat the sits on the coast at Hoo near Rochester

Gandalf figure from Lord of the Rings.