Toy Photography — It Doesn’t Matter If It Was “Photoshopped.”

When I photograph other subjects, I am often asked: “Was that Photoshopped?”

Let me help you understand that question. It means — “I can’t make a photo that looks that good so I suspect you have some secret that I do not have or that I do not respect so I am calling into question the photo you just made.”

I get it. People have been trained to compare themselves and their work to others and it’s a sad state of affairs.

You shouldn’t compare yourself. There is only one you.

But the “Photoshopped” question was always specious.

Before computers, photographers used their choice of film, shutter speed, aperture, developer, paper, and various darkroom techniques to “alter reality.”

The people who like to think they win a prize if they get a photo by pressing a shutter button but not “manipulating” the photo in post aren’t actually winning at anything. They are in fact losing because they aren’t taking advantage of all the latest technology to help tell their stories.

But…

The great thing about toy photography is this. Since there is no such thing as a Mandalorian or a Jedi nobody can accuse me of altering “reality” when I digitally enhance my toy photographs.

EVERYTHING ABOUT WHAT I DO IS FANTASY!

Thus, when people ask the question, “Was that Photoshopped?” I can proudly answer — “YES” — “I Photoshopped the Hell out of that picture!”

Remember — toys are joy.