I like playing with light. I like putting up different lighting setups for my indoor toy photography which I find fun and challenging at the same time! I'm super happy to receive a gift from SlickForce Studios and they sent me miniature softlights! (thank you so much!) I received a message from them a month ago that they have this new product and they're targeting the toy photography market. They've sent out a samples from a bunch of amazing toy photographers (including me!) to review and test it out. This is actually a good idea, the toy photography niche is already being recognized! ^_^

Now, the SlickForce Softlights is very similar to what you see on a professional studio, but this one's a mini version. :) If you're already using your bulky lamps and LED lights, getting this baby is such a breather because it's very compact, handy and offers the same lighting you get from your old lamps.

Here's the basic contents of the package here:

The box includes 1 Octagonal light, diffuser, stand, 3 extension tubes (on the website it says 2, but you can remove the inner tube on the stand too :) The material of the softlight is plastic and it's very lightweight, so you need to be careful not getting it knocked down while doing a shoot.

..and of course, it comes with a battery pack. Yes, it's powered by 4AA batteries. No A/C and USB ports to charge it in.

It looks neat with all those knobs and switches but you can't use them. That's just part of the design.

The softlight is powered by a LED light that boasts up to 10,000 hours of usage but I guess that depends on the battery that you use. Here's what the silver octagonal umbrella looks like inside, you could see the 1Watt LED light and it's reflective metallic interior. It doesn't come with a dimmer though, so if you feel that the light is too bright for your shot, try to change your camera settings instead ;)

So now on to the test shots! I'm aiming for a darkroom feel for these photos and I've only used minimal editing to emphasize the lighting on each figure. I've used these types of figures for reference: 1/7 scale figures, Nendoroids, Figmas, Funko Pops and others.

First up is Kotobukiya Bishoujo Batwoman, she's prolly the tallest figure I own. Here's the setup I used for this shot. 

Take note that the softlights can be extended to match the figure's height. For Batwoman, I've used the max height (11 inches) using the extender tubes.If you have bigger figures, like, 1/6 to 1/4 scales, sorry this lighting is not enough for you. :)

Next is Kiryuin Satsuki and Trafalgar Law. Satsuki is slightly smaller that than Law and Batwoman but the height of the softlights are still just right. 

Here's my two light setup for Satsuki-sama's photos, note the reflector is placed infront of her.

As for smaller figures, I removed one extender tube and it's now 8inches in height for this set. It's pefect for Funko Pops, QPosket figures and Figmas too! I don't have any Marvel or DC related figure, I should've asked my friend to lend me one of his figs prior to this review. XD

Shirahoshi's almost like an official product photo! I'm so loving how the softlights can let you try different lighting angles.

Now, for the last set, I removed two extender tubes and the lowest height that you can use for the softlights is 5inches. That's almost the same height as everyone's favorite: NENDOROIDS!

Here's a bonus shot of a setup using the softlights and a simple bedroom diorama.

You have an option to remove the diffuser though. Once removed, the cast will naturally be brighter. Since I can adjust the height of the softlight, it's basically on the floor and placing it on this side, the cast lights up the diorama and the figure itself.

Overall, I LOVE this product! It's very light and compact, and I like that it's so handy I can bring it anywhere I want! The lighting from the softlights itself is perfect for toys, I've decided to replace my old bulky lamps with this. :) Also, I really like that you can adjust the height to match the figure, this product is only for 1/7 scale figures and below, but for bigger figures, you need to use bigger and better lighting. The only downside is that it uses batteries, but for something as compact as this, I wouldn't mind buying 2 sets of batteries!! ;)

Thanks again Slickforce Studio for this amazing product! As a figure photographer, I highly recommend it to anyone who would like to practice their photography skills, lighting techniques or if you would just like to play along with different lighting setups. :) Trust me, you'll love it as much as I do! ^_^

This product is on sale now! Check out http://slickforcestore.com to get your very own miniature softlight! They're based in the US so shipping/custom fees still apply.

Hello! How's everyone doing? It's still summer season here in our country and I officially hate summer now because I really can't stand the heat, I even pitched a tent on our rooftop so I can sleep peacefully outdoors at night because that's the coldest part of the day! Then after camping for 3 days, I felt weird afterwards lol.

So today's post is about the lovely Q-Posket figure that I got last week, it's the Moon Princess, Princess Serenity! I've always been a Sailor Moon fan, and I practically grew up with it--following all 200 episodes in a span of 5 seasons (my favorite is Sailor Moon R) and when I got older, I'm still watching the reboot, Sailor Moon Crystal. 

Also when I got more disposable money to buy toys and figures, I told myself I should buy at least one Sailor Moon figure. A pretty Princess Serenity figure at least. However, I'm kinda picky so I easily passed the chance of getting a figure just because, so I'm super happy when I saw this Q-Posket figure of Princess Serenity!

Oh, here's a really nice close up! She's super cute with big doe eyes, blushing cheeks and slightly tinted lips.

Her details are on point from the perfect crescent mark on her forehead to her crescent earrings and pearl hair accessories.

See you on my next post!

It's thelove month and I'll be sharing my first ever couple shoot (LOL) of my Danboard pair. I choose the prom theme because it's romantic, and it brings so much memories during my highschool years. I made this mini stage at the floor (as usual) complete with christmas lights and folded foil wrappers to create a flashy yet subtle backdrop for them.

"Why do you love toys so much?"

Just answering that question makes my right eyebrow raise for the lack of indefinite subject that question has. It's indefinite because I wouldn't know if I'm going to answer on the collecting part or on the photography thing which I usually do. 

I'm sure all toy lovers/collectors/enthusiasts would agree with me that they've heard that question so many times that they already had a pre-made answer to their brains to snap back to that clueless someone. To name a few, well, they're your parents who even include the age talk to back up that question; then there's your non-collector friends who just stare at you like you're some kid stuck in your past; then maybe your BF/GF who even gets jealous of your precious toys and demands the unknown just to take you away from them (oh the horror!). 

Those are just a few people who would dare to ask the above question, I'm sure you have others. As for me, I give them answers and I never expect them to understand me, which I'm sure they never will, but what do I care since I'm happy with my hobby. "Non me ne frega" an Italian phrase I use to say when someone's nose is up on my business again. (I've been studying Italian for quite some time now ^^,)

Here's my reasons why I couldn't get enough of this wonderful hobby life (I coined that from GSC XD)

1. It takes me my own special world.

I've taken photos on different fields like portraiture, landscape, events  photography, but there's something so different when it comes to taking photos of toys. There's this kind of immersion between you and the subject and it's like you're on another world together with them.

I felt I was fighting ninjas along with Momohime as she sweeps and clears the fields.

Saber took me chasing cars on the street during our night photography session.

I lazed in the sun together with the Mayoi and the Minions at the beach.

2. They became alive in pictures

I have discussed this before that toy photography is an art of bringing toys to life. If landscape photography lets you capture the dynamism of a picturesque view, toy photography makes you bring the life out of a toy's stillness. For me it takes skill and I've seen a lot of awesome toy photographers who have taken this skill to a whole new level. Here's my example and some others from those awesome toy photographers that I admire.

Ryougi Shiki here just finished her last kill for the day...but that stare makes you want to think she's ready for more. My most gruesome photo to date.

A favorite from Kixkillradio, Kirino looks like she's inviting you to hang around with her in this cozy model of her room.

Just a recent favorite from Klon, whom I saw at MFC, the impressive post processing in this image made Saber look so life-like.

3. It makes me happy

Yes. The bottom line of this all. It makes me really happy, combined with the reasons I mentioned above. I don't care if I looked like a kid stuck with my toys, or an idiot crouching on the street or wherever, just to take a good angle of a photo. The joy of seeing the output is what I'm after. Toy photography opens me up to become young again, the part where I see the magic and boundless creativity within my imaginative mind. 

How about you, what are your reasons? :D

Love, Pinkcheeks~