Think Of Imagination As An Additional Lens In Your Camera Bag

If you strip away all the excess at its heart, toy photography (especially) and really all photography is about imagination. Think of your imagination as an additional lens in your camera bag. It cost you nothing, but it’s probably the most powerful tool you own.

If you can learn to “see” in your mind’s eye, and then recreate what you see, you will be ahead of the curve by about 98%!

I started this image with this toy:

The Matchbox SpaceX capsule is about twice the size of my thumb. I wanted to make a photo with this toy since I am a space junky.

But what photo? I don’t enjoy snapshots so I try to create a story — at least in my mind. And thanks to Photoshop’s new integration of its AI tool — Firefly, I was able to turn the simple toy into this:

I recognize the fact that this isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. But the point is, try to dream your way to your next photo using your imagination. Even if the image doesn’t resonate with others, chances are it will resonate with you and that’s totally allowed. Sometimes just pleasing ourselves is the best way to enjoy photography. Nobody can tell you (in that case) that you’re doing it wrong :)

Remember, toys are joy.