It's been 10 days, and so far my husband and I are staying strong with our deal. I've been avoiding going by the mall and reading e-mail coupons for Bath & Bodyworks. As for my husband, he's been doing so well I started reducing his time from 4/1/2012 to 3/31/2012. I know... I know.. it's just one day, but that is one day closer to freedom for that man to buy his toys.
In the mean time, we have been documenting his collection by taking turn around images and fancy poses of his toys for of documentation and record keeping of his collection. You would think that taking pictures of tons of stuff would be an easy job, but it's time consuming. Each figure is unique in their own way. They all have different textures, colors, sizes, joins, fabric materials, different levels of detail and props that require individual attention. Some of these shots take up to 10 to 15 pictures for the basic turn around, plus several images of the character posed in different places in order to do justice to each individual figure. Some are easy to set up, but other would prove to be a challenge due to it's shape, color contrast against the background, reaction to different lighting, and at times lack mobility from the toy it self ( non possible figure). Sometimes I wonder if this how fashion photographers feel like when they are working with a difficult model. LOL
Other challenges like flexibility from my behalf as the photographer becomes a challenge. At times I have to lay down on the ground, hold strange poses, and even try strange angles just to get great shots of these tiny pieces of possible art. These pictures can be taken anywhere from our apartment porch, the pool area with flower bench, or one of the public parks near by. I have to be very careful where I lay down. Don't want to end up with ants in my pants or dog do do on my buns. In the end, sometimes I get the shot I want and sometimes I don't. Either way I do my best to keep my guy happy.
While it seem like a lot of work for nothing, this documentation has not been going to waist. My husband has been writing and filming him self talking about toys on facebook, blooger, and youtube (Google "Raging Nerdgasm" and you will see his postings). It's been his dream for years to be a professional toy historian, and the man has the knowledge to prove it. While there's no PHD on the matter, he's been around collectibles toys since he was a baby, and does have a way to share his knowledge on the Internet. To many wives might think this venture might be very silly, but to me... I'm just happy I was able to help him get started last year. We have become a dynamic duo on RNG. He provides the know how on toys and management of the content and forums. I on the other hand, provide the pretty graphics, video, images, and web part of the deal. It's truly a full time hobby and the audience that fallows his stuff are just as serious about their toys as he is.
For the serious toy collectors, talking about a TOY on-line is more than just a quick snap shot and post. Keep in mind, these men and women are very passionate about their hobby and sloppy pictures wont cut it. My husband reputation on the line, and we are aiming for high quality content that gives the on-line toy collector an idea of what is like to have it, touch it, caress it, experience it, maybe smell it, and almost hold a toy we are reviewing in their hands. If your descriptions, videos, and images are high quality, is almost like "Porn" to some of these collectors. You laugh at my description, but if you have ever been at any convention that has a limited release toy, and see the hopefulness in peoples eyes as they wait for hours in line with fist full of cash in hopes they can get their favorite toy, you'll understand what I mean.
All in all, the average Toy Glamour shoot can take us anywhere between 30 min to about 2 hours. If we are filming the a short for youtube it takes about 1 to 2 hours, and then about another 10 hours to composite it together, before loading it to youtube. All in all it's a hard days work and its part of living with a toy collector.
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