Hey all,
to keep myself practiced during the lockdown, I've been shooting various collectible photo sets from each film. I've just completed Covenant and now I'll be moving on to the AVP movies. Feedback is always appreciated, hopy you enjoy.
Alien:
Mafex Big Chap Figure by Medicom Toys
(https://i.imgur.com/rLvwY0P.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/gYUPCsX.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/sIL3mjG.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/tV4WdiM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/T5mAWmy.jpg)
Aliens:
Kotobukiya Alien Warrior Drone ArtFX+ Statue
(https://i.imgur.com/EBxc9GE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/8FuKFYE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9XmSe81.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/oNmTYrw.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/uD0q2HD.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/n0sSIOn.jpg)
Alien³:
Eaglemoss Mega Xenomorph Runner
(https://i.imgur.com/pCVWNTZ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/B3Hwcmw.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/j5s7fLE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/C14IsP3.jpg)
Alien Resurrection:
Eaglemoss Alien Resurrection Mini Statues
(https://i.imgur.com/UNU4l2a.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/kdSMyeL.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/TiyAvQ3.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/bHT0H70.jpg)
Prometheus:
Eaglemoss Prometheus Mini Statues
(https://i.imgur.com/GX3LG0X.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Mn2Sw9C.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/iiJzSJT.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9RcxKOA.jpg)
Alien Covenant:
Hiya Toys Alien Covenant Figures
(https://i.imgur.com/fbee9FG.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9d6R3hp.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3FQyaPM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/G4KS1fQ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/SETegSx.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/tkzCpsX.jpg)
The skull has never looked so cool. Lighting is your art. :o
Keep it up!
Thanks much!
Yeah they did get the skull looking nice on the Mafex Big Chap.
Actually all the pictures looks great. I got a cinematic vibe. I also like the underwater Aliens and the Neos. Can't wait for the AVP collectible photography. 8)
As much as I tend to dislike the Eaglemoss stuff, those Resurrection shots look pretty f**king sweet!
Finally a thread. I've been really enjoying these on Twitter. The lighting is fantastic.
Very nice!!
And Eaglemoss has never looked so good!
Hoping there's a Predator in your collection waiting in the wings!
Quote from: Voodoo Magic on Jun 25, 2020, 09:44:26 PM
Very nice!!
And Eaglemoss has never looked so good!
Hoping there's a Predator in your collection waiting in the wings!
Thanks!
AVP is next and then it'll be all Predator for four sets after those.
Excellent!!
Holy crap, these are so good Ridge!
awesome work! think my favorite is the xeno in front of david's drawings
These are great, especially like the brownish backgrounds. Are all the backgrounds photoshopped?
I still haven't got a Big Chap figure. I meant to get Kotobukiya's version but it's going for crazy amounts now on ebay.
Quote from: Darkness on Jun 26, 2020, 05:46:22 PM
These are great, especially like the brownish backgrounds. Are all the backgrounds photoshopped?
I still haven't got a Big Chap figure. I meant to get Kotobukiya's version but it's going for crazy amounts now on ebay.
Thanks, D!
I've done color and exposure editing but none of the backgrounds are photoshopped. The only images with non-practical backgrounds are the Deacon, Trilobite, and Fifield, where I used my computer screen as the background. For the Deacon and Trilobite, they're screenshots I took in Colonial Marines just for background ambience, and Fifield is just a royalty free fire image.
Yeah the Kotobukiya Big Chap is great, still my favorite one that I own. Here's a few shots I've taken of that figure last year:
(https://i.imgur.com/Z7myl7G.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/OnHAYxa.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PxaBDYJ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/j2dRXt6.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Xky9n9S.jpg)
Like you said, it is unfortunately getting expensive and difficult to find, but I really love the more recent Mafex one as well. Probably my 2nd favorite Big Chap and the best one with articulation.
I have thought about making my own sort of diorama backgrounds. The platforms that came with Kotobukiya is great. I just wish I could get more of it.
I thought about just getting NECA's 40th Anniversary Big Chap.
Kotobukiya really did make a nice set, and the tile/wall panel configuration options that were included were pretty sweet. Also did a few shots of the other ones from them:
(https://i.imgur.com/BqWGXPn.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/L8UYHQH.jpg)
Still hoping they eventually do some Predators or ADI-style Aliens.
NECA seems to be doing some interesting new releases with their ultimate figures, I've been starting to warm back up to their offerings... a little.
You should definitely give some custom dioramas a try, would be cool to see what you come up with.
What camera are you using?
Yeah, I want to make some Jason dioramas. I've got lots of diorama bits that NECA have released. I want to make a miniature cabin or a graveyard. I haven't a clue where I'd even get the supplies.
Quote from: Darkness on Jun 30, 2020, 07:46:30 PM
What camera are you using?
Yeah, I want to make some Jason dioramas. I've got lots of diorama bits that NECA have released. I want to make a miniature cabin or a graveyard. I haven't a clue where I'd even get the supplies.
I shoot with the Canon 5D Mark IV. Most of these were taken with the macro setting on my EF 24-70 lens.
There are a couple of pop-up dioramas that might look good for a background.
Something like this: https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/Product/VariationDetails/104246
AVP
(https://i.imgur.com/HojSqb6.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/fR69Utg.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/07Wu44u.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/WD55deB.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/UwSe9bm.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/iXNjdYJ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/TNo7tdI.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Rl9Ydei.jpg)
holy flip, amazing work ridgetop! first one is my favorite!
These are just too awesome RidgeTop!
Thanks guys. You know what's next 8)
These looks like production stills from the movie. :o
Do you have any Jungle Hunter or City Hunter figures? Can you do some with them too?
Quote from: Darkness on Jul 25, 2020, 07:26:12 AM
These looks like production stills from the movie. :o
Do you have any Jungle Hunter or City Hunter figures? Can you do some with them too?
Good to hear, that's what I was going for!
I'm doing a shoot for each film so after AVPR, it'll be the four Predator films. Not sure which collectibles I'll be using yet for those, but I'm leaning towards Hiya for Predator, Predator 2, and Predators. Though they don't have the same level of detail as a Hot Toys or Kotobukiya, I still think I can recreate some scenes with them like I tried to do with Covenant.
I did shoot some of the Eaglemoss Grid as well for this last set but the detail just didn't match up with the other stuff I was using.
(https://i.imgur.com/rxM5twM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/oV3q6Qc.jpg)
Quote(https://i.imgur.com/fR69Utg.jpg)
This Crabator looks gooooooooooood
Quote from: RidgeTop on Jul 25, 2020, 05:00:02 PM
Quote from: Darkness on Jul 25, 2020, 07:26:12 AM
These looks like production stills from the movie. :o
Do you have any Jungle Hunter or City Hunter figures? Can you do some with them too?
Good to hear, that's what I was going for!
Love it!! straight to target!
(https://i.ibb.co/2hjhZ7X/Snoo-Clapping-64.png)
What AvP figures are those?
Also - Amazing work!
I really do like the AvP Alien. There's just something I dig about that Resurrection design in black, especially with the Grid scar.
Quote from: Kradan on Jul 25, 2020, 06:35:48 PM
Quote(https://i.imgur.com/fR69Utg.jpg)
This Crabator looks gooooooooooood
RidgeTop can make a Crabator look good? Now
THAT'S talent!!
guessing crabator is Scar unmasked?
Thought I was the only one who hated to AVP design :D
Quote from: Tichinde on Jul 27, 2020, 10:46:46 PM
Thought I was the only one who hated to AVP design :D
Oh no. billion times no
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Jul 27, 2020, 07:38:38 AM
I really do like the AvP Alien. There's just something I dig about that Resurrection design in black, especially with the Grid scar.
It has reptilian quality to it, almost snake-like. Like black mamba or something
Also, I dig it pointy chin
Quote from: 426Buddy on Jul 26, 2020, 09:51:27 PM
What AvP figures are those?
Also - Amazing work!
Thanks!
Celtic is Hot Toys
Scar is Kotobukiya
Grid is Kotobukiya
Alien is FuRyu
Quote from: Tichinde on Jul 27, 2020, 10:46:46 PM
guessing crabator is Scar unmasked?
Thought I was the only one who hated to AVP design :D
Personally, I've never minded the AVP face design. That's the Hot Toys Celtic unmasked actually.
Here's another shot I took last year of that FuRyu Alien:
(https://i.imgur.com/5SOmtuz.jpg)
Finally cracking on my AVPR shoot. Here's a little tease:
(https://i.imgur.com/6I3d9gK.jpg)
I can't see anything
AVPR
(https://i.imgur.com/H7CFlo8.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/d5feM75.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/m0v64j9.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Zx8395N.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/I8oOrOm.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/YHMcv7n.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Ps212vN.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/pPUGm81.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/IOLX6MX.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/XY7gceV.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/83bV9Zk.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/B5ZRjWN.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/w30ymV0.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vREtwIh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/2uYdFw5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/u3xBNJV.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lGnMiAK.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/BlvXHDV.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/sldDYfv.jpg)
Looks great, RidgeTop :)
Wolf looks great! Go and grab the nearest time machine to contact the Strauses ⚡🤩 ⚡🤩 ⚡🤩😎👊
And Merry Christmas!
I might even give Requiem a re-watch
Quote from: Immortan Jonesy on Dec 25, 2020, 05:35:04 AM
Wolf looks great! Go and grab the nearest time machine to contact the Strauses ⚡🤩 ⚡🤩 ⚡🤩😎👊
And Merry Christmas!
Wolf does look great, and yes unmasked too! Thanks and hope you have a Merry Christmas as well.
Quote from: Kradan on Dec 25, 2020, 05:49:36 AM
I might even give Requiem a re-watch
It's a good time for it! They tied in the Christmas marketing to this movie so much, but it's weird because nothing in the actual movie had anything to do with it. Really enjoyed going to the theater on Christmas Day to watch it... and then I jumped on here and saw the reactions.
Nicely done RidgeTop! Great Photography! 👏
Very cinematic. Makes me want to go watch AvPR again!
Quote from: Kradan on Dec 25, 2020, 05:49:36 AM
I might even give Requiem a re-watch
Do it!
When you literally put AVPR in better lighting :laugh: Great stuff!
In a way, it makes me resent AVPR even more cuz this just shows us what we could have had. I mean writing wise it was poor but at least we could see the characters and feel the atmosphere of the situation.
Quote from: Mr.Turok on Dec 31, 2020, 12:11:19 AM
When you literally put AVPR in better lighting :laugh: Great stuff!
In a way, it makes me resent AVPR even more cuz this just shows us what we could have had. I mean writing wise it was poor but at least we could see the characters and feel the atmosphere of the situation.
The hype was real in that first trailer, even the naysayers of the setting and plot were excited, and the brightness looked great there. The movie just needs a re-release with proper levels restored and an extended cut, but sadly we'll probably never see it with how much hate gets thrown at the film.
Predator
(https://i.imgur.com/q7a6ut2.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/wGEiWNe.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/BQaO5m9.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/MqWbP9a.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/CPcVsfv.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/aHVeQUl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/zAOf0B0.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/fWprALw.jpg)
Very cool RidgeTop!
Quote from: Voodoo Magic on Jan 10, 2021, 03:32:48 AM
Very cool RidgeTop!
Thanks! Your favorite one is next!
Man you're good. The first one is divine. I also dig the second cloaked Pred.
Quote from: Immortan Jonesy on Jan 10, 2021, 03:41:06 AM
Man you're good. The first one is divine. I also dig the second cloaked Pred.
Much appreciated. :)
Here's a few more B-sides.
(https://i.imgur.com/YYxzbN9.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/0EIlsqu.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vzXY97j.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/hPm2MhA.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3ScsG37.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/6kbqyG5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Qx8OAOb.jpg)
I stick to what I've said
Quote from: Kradan on Jan 10, 2021, 08:13:46 AM
I stick to what I've said
This is why you don't get a flintlock....
Quote from: Kradan on Jan 06, 2021, 06:51:46 AM
Fine ! I'll get my own flintlock !
https://media1.tenor.com/images/27c126cc364c3bb33ed4da077f18c8b1/tenor.gif?itemid=10391830
Damn these look all fine as hell ! :o
I surprise myself in how I'm able to see this only now lol.
Quote from: BigDaddyJohn on Mar 30, 2021, 02:20:29 PM
Damn these look all fine as hell ! :o
I surprise myself in how I'm able to see this only now lol.
Thanks so much!
(https://i.imgur.com/oinBciu.jpg)
Happy Alien Day, everyone! Here's to coming up on 35 years of Aliens. Both figures are Eaglemoss.
More like Happy Mother Alien Day with that one ^^^
Nice pic though. I dig blue
Awww indeed! 💙
Thought I gave up on this did ya?
Predator 2
(https://i.imgur.com/cZrFuTM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lpfYUJy.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ftXgHEF.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/0WluCy4.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/MJuOANa.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/6iOltP1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/tTfTTjY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/VuBX23T.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/j2YQwIF.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/pb1DIlp.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/XLg32IK.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/0dG2gCa.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3Y4MQga.jpg)
Full set here: https://adamzellerphotographer.pixieset.com/predator2/
Third one - fantastic
The last one - tehehehehe ;D
Quote from: RidgeTop on Aug 06, 2021, 06:02:37 AM
Thought I gave up on this did ya?
Predator 2
(https://i.imgur.com/cZrFuTM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lpfYUJy.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ftXgHEF.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/0WluCy4.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/MJuOANa.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/6iOltP1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/tTfTTjY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/VuBX23T.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/j2YQwIF.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/pb1DIlp.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/XLg32IK.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/0dG2gCa.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3Y4MQga.jpg)
Full set here: https://adamzellerphotographer.pixieset.com/predator2/
You even replicated the dance!!! :laugh:
These are utterly fantastic RT! Bravo!! 👏
Did you notice the reflection in the water ? Did you ?
Well done, these look awesome! Hiya should hire you for a shoot. Nice recapture of some heavy scenes. Alot of work behind the curtain. You use some fill cards for bounced light? What else you got up your sleeve? Quite the production.
Thanks folks, really appreciate it.
Quote from: Voodoo Magic on Aug 06, 2021, 01:17:15 PM
Quote from: RidgeTop on Aug 06, 2021, 06:02:37 AM
Thought I gave up on this did ya?
Predator 2
(https://i.imgur.com/cZrFuTM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lpfYUJy.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ftXgHEF.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/0WluCy4.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/MJuOANa.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/6iOltP1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/tTfTTjY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/VuBX23T.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/j2YQwIF.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/pb1DIlp.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/XLg32IK.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/0dG2gCa.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3Y4MQga.jpg)
Full set here: https://adamzellerphotographer.pixieset.com/predator2/
You even replicated the dance!!! :laugh:
These are utterly fantastic RT! Bravo!! 👏
Had to do the dance! Glad to hear that the P2 expert enjoys.
Quote from: Kradan on Aug 06, 2021, 01:54:07 PM
Did you notice the reflection in the water ? Did you ?
That one was tricky, but after getting the shot right with the cloaked and uncloaked figures I just had to combine the two images in photoshop.
Quote from: Lost_Hunter on Aug 06, 2021, 02:10:19 PM
Well done, these look awesome! Hiya should hire you for a shoot. Nice recapture of some heavy scenes. Alot of work behind the curtain. You use some fill cards for bounced light? What else you got up your sleeve? Quite the production.
Thanks much! I do occasionally use a bounce card for some fill light but not for all of the shots. I shoot with the Canon 5D Mk IV using mainly the macro setting of the Canon 24-70 f/4 lens.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/898652-USA/Canon_6313b002_EF_24_70mm_f_4_0L_IS.html/overview
I have a few other macro lenses I employ and I find that the macro lenses really make smaller figures feel more life-sized, which is the look I like to go for. I see a lot of toy photography that while awesome, immediately have that toy scale look about them. While you of course can tell these are toys, I personally think macro really makes them feel cinematic and realistic.
As far as lighting goes, I've done some different techniques for the different shoots. With the AVP one and Alien Covenant one it was speedlight flash, which I may go back to for the next one (Predators) but for this I used 'Lume Cubes' and LED panels with gels.
Here's a few BTS shots:
(https://i.imgur.com/kBwA5d2.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/veTVROa.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/LNSEKEH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/NnAWNzA.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/U3ZWify.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ROKEpZD.jpg)
And a little video of the dry ice setup I used for the ship scene:
I liked the bubbling sounds
Those light cubes are neat! Are they useful for much other than figure photography or is that sort of what they're aimed at?
Obligatory your stuff is amazing. The care you put into each setup really pays off in the final shot.
Quote from: SiL on Aug 07, 2021, 11:15:39 PM
Those light cubes are neat! Are they useful for much other than figure photography or is that sort of what they're aimed at?
Obligatory your stuff is amazing. The care you put into each setup really pays off in the final shot.
Thanks! The Lume Cubes (https://lumecube.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwgb6IBhAREiwAgMYKRh6-N2L5y3VgMzuXasQyhXFioRIkf8XZYo9_GSj_6TAeL6QWAM8ePRoCKx4QAvD_BwE) are used quite a bit for toy photography but they have a number of other common uses. I've seen a lot of really neat long exposure night photography done with them, as well as for drone lights, vlogging, all sorts of things.
Their Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lumecube/) showcases how different photographers utilize them.
Also, here's a little tease of the next one:
(https://i.imgur.com/KYU1w1i.jpg)
UPDATE: Ok little edit, more of his body was in shadow in the poster.
(https://i.imgur.com/Puvp0dK.jpg)
Super cool man, I'm diggin those behind the scenes photos. Looks like alot of work.
Quote from: Lost_Hunter on Aug 09, 2021, 06:17:04 PM
Super cool man, I'm diggin those behind the scenes photos. Looks like alot of work.
Thanks! Setup and breakdown can take a bit but I enjoy shooting so it doesn't really feel like work.
(https://i.imgur.com/pJI4IXW.jpg)
Little practice shot last week of NECA's Ahab Predator. Been a good while since I've shot one by them. Still working on the Predators set which should be done sometime next month.
But here's a shot from it:
https://twitter.com/ridgetop21/status/1450192195009449986
Some recent shots of Hiya Toys
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FKL4GMrVgAEba2d?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FKgbrRrVEAc6QK0?format=jpg&name=large)
(https://i.imgur.com/RnladV6.jpg)
This is some pretty great stuff.
I myself was actually thinking of dabbling in something like this months ago with my Pixel 2 XL camera. :laugh:
Thanks, and you should! Smart phones take great pictures these days.
A couple more from this recent set:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FMl3VjsVkAIAE6p?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FMl5uwWVUAA9kXU?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
Sweet !
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FO8gRuhVsAA3Fog?format=jpg&name=medium)
Some Alien³ Anniversary photos of the Kotobukiya Dog Alien that I took for the site.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FTbRyPGUcAANQFk?format=jpg&name=large)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FTlQya3UcAEGPEk?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FTlQzE-VUAAdOEe?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FTlQwJIUsAAolRT?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
Wonderful as always.
It's perfect.
I think the last's my favourite.
Did a couple recent shots for the anniversary of Alien: Resurrection.
(https://i.imgur.com/oJAno4E.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/atuZNRF.jpg)
Warrior is from Konami, and Newborn is from Hiya
You own a Newborn figure?!
Nice work on the snaps!
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Nov 28, 2022, 08:59:02 AMYou own a Newborn figure?!
Nice work on the snaps!
I do not, actually! It's the lady's. And thanks!
Okay, ima let you off there!