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Four Bricks Tall

How to Get Feedback on Your LEGO Photography Through Editing

September 29, 2023September 24, 2023 by Four Bricks Tall
Lightroom editing for self-critique

Editing your photos, especially old ones, can give you the skills to critique your own work.

Categories Education, Editing Tags critique, editing, feedback, lego, lego photography, Lightroom

Using a Phone Flashlight in LEGO Photography

September 26, 2023August 28, 2023 by Four Bricks Tall
Medieval minifigure looking into stained glass window light

Need a quick, hard light? You’ve got one on your phone and it’s perfect for lighting LEGO models.

Categories Behind the Scenes, Lighting Tags flashlight, lego, lego photography, mist, probe lens

Toy Photography Dream Lens? Astrhori 18mm f/8 Macro Probe Lens Review

September 26, 2023August 19, 2023 by Four Bricks Tall
Astrhori 18mm f/8 probe lens with carrying case next to a LEGO house model

At $719, this probe lens for APSC cameras might just be the creative tool you’re looking for if you need to access tight spaces in models for toy photography.

Categories Reviews Tags Astrhori, lego, lego photography, lens, macro, probe, review

Secret Garden Book Nook

September 26, 2023August 14, 2023 by Four Bricks Tall
Photo of LEGO medieval knight writing with a plume inside in a garden
secret garden booknook 2
secret garden booknook
galen secret garden
secret garden booknook gardener
statue secret garden
singing princess secret garden 2
Categories Photos Tags book nook, lego, lego photography, moc

LEGO Book Giveaway

September 26, 2023January 14, 2023 by Four Bricks Tall
LEGO In Focus book giveaway

Subscribe to the Take Better Toy Photos newsletter on Substack to enter the book giveaway!

Categories News and Announcements Tags book, giveaway, lego, LEGO In Focus, lego photography

Shooting and Lighting LEGO Building Interiors

September 26, 2023October 5, 2022 by Four Bricks Tall
Photo of LEGO hotel concierge and valet pushing luggage inside a lobby

Shooting the interior of a brick-built scene can be very challenging for a LEGO photographer so I show you some ways to get those shots. Also, I share some tips on how to design MOCs for photography.

Categories Lighting Tags brick-built, interior, lego, lego photography, lighting

Instagram Hates Photos: Where to Share Your Work Now

August 31, 2023July 29, 2022 by Four Bricks Tall
Tumblr feature of LEGO Iron Giant photo on sign up page

Instagram pivoted to short-form video content like TikTok, so where could you share artistic toy photos now? The platform might just be Tumblr.

Categories Social Media Tags Instagram, social media, Tumblr

How to Take Better Photos of Toys with a Phone

September 26, 2023March 25, 2022 by Four Bricks Tall
Photo of LEGO Duplo character chained to a wall with The LEGO Movie characters in foreground by Shannon Sproule

Learn how to control how much of the scene is in focus and use composition and lighting to separate toy subjects from the background.

Categories Phone Photography, Education Tags depth of field, lego, lego photography, phone

My LEGO Photography Workflow

September 26, 2023March 19, 2022 by Four Bricks Tall
Photo of LEGO female minifigure holding a camera while sitting on a stoop

I’ll take you through my toy photography workflow from where I get ideas and inspiration, to how I shoot and edit, and ultimately when, where, and if I decide to share my work. I’ll cover each step in some detail including lens selection, evaluating a location, and basic editing.

Categories Education Tags lego, lego photography, process, toy photography, workflow

Latest Posts

  • Lightroom editing for self-critique
    How to Get Feedback on Your LEGO Photography Through Editing
  • Medieval minifigure looking into stained glass window light
    Using a Phone Flashlight in LEGO Photography
  • Astrhori 18mm f/8 probe lens with carrying case next to a LEGO house model
    Toy Photography Dream Lens? Astrhori 18mm f/8 Macro Probe Lens Review
  • Photo of LEGO hotel concierge and valet pushing luggage inside a lobby
    Shooting and Lighting LEGO Building Interiors
  • Tumblr feature of LEGO Iron Giant photo on sign up page
    Instagram Hates Photos: Where to Share Your Work Now

Essays From Take Better Toy Photos

  • The courage to be disliked
    September 2, 2023
    If you really want to be creative, allow yourself to not be liked
  • Why bad photographers think they're great
    August 5, 2023
    The Dunning-Kruger effect and how to avoid being ignorant
  • Why bad photos are popular on social media
    July 1, 2023
    Answering the "how did that get more likes than mine" question
  • DIY Photography contest results and review
    June 18, 2023
    Photo critique of select entries and why you should join competitions
  • The real reason gear matters
    June 3, 2023
    How your photography gear affects your experience, style, and growth
LEGO Photography Basics
  • Exposure controls
  • Creative camera controls
  • The exposure pie
  • Histograms
  • Focal lengths effects
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