Complete Guide to Figma Figure Photography Techniques | Tips for Recreating Iconic Scenes with Your Smartphone

Complete Guide to Photographing figma Figures | Tips for Recreating Iconic Scenes with Your Smartphone

Once you get your hands on a figma figure, you’ll want to take attractive photos to post on social media or recreate iconic scenes. However, many people may wonder, "How can I take professional-looking photos?" or "Do I need specialized equipment?" The truth is, with just a smartphone and some items from a 100 yen shop, you can take high-quality figure photos with a little creativity.

This article comprehensively explains practical knowledge necessary for photographing figma figures, including lighting, background paper, composition, and smartphone photography techniques. It covers everything from simple methods that beginners can start today to creating a full-fledged photography booth, allowing you to gradually improve your skills.

Preparation Before Shooting | Necessary Equipment and Environment Setup

Before you start shooting, it’s important to gather basic equipment and set up an appropriate environment. You don’t need expensive gear. You can start with just a smartphone and items you have around you. Here, we will explain the minimum necessary equipment for shooting, the importance of dust prevention, and how to secure your shooting space.

• Minimum Necessary Shooting Equipment
• Dust Prevention is Basic for Shooting
• Securing and Organizing the Shooting Space

Minimum Necessary Shooting Equipment

The minimum necessary equipment for photographing figma figures includes a smartphone or digital camera, tripod, and basic cleaning tools. Smartphone cameras have evolved year by year, and with the latest smartphones, you can take photos of quality close to that of a DSLR by utilizing portrait mode and HDR features.

A tripod helps prevent camera shake and allows for stable shooting. Small tripods for smartphones can be purchased for around 1,000 yen, and a gorilla pod type that allows for free angle adjustments is convenient. Especially for low-angle shots, a tripod is essential. If you are shooting with a camera, having a macro lens can beautifully capture the details of the figure, but a kit lens is sufficient at first.

Additionally, a remote shutter (Bluetooth compatible) can help completely prevent shake when pressing the shutter. Gradually acquiring items like reflectors and background paper, as mentioned later, will significantly improve the quality of your shots.

Dust Prevention is Basic for Shooting

In figure photography, dust prevention is one of the most important preparations. Small dust particles that usually go unnoticed can become surprisingly prominent in photos. Especially with black or dark-colored figures, white dust becomes very noticeable, so be sure to remove dust before shooting.

The best items for dust removal are blowers and brushes. Blowers can be purchased for about 500 yen at camera supply stores and use air power to blow away dust. Brushes, such as makeup brushes or art brushes, can gently sweep away dust from fine details. You can also buy soft makeup brushes at 100 yen shops, so it’s handy to have one dedicated for figures.

Right before shooting, be sure to check the entire figure with the blower and brush. Pay special attention to areas with protrusions like hair, shoulders, and weapons, as dust tends to accumulate there. After shooting, if you notice dust in the photos, you can correct it using smartphone apps or PC image editing software, but it’s more efficient to remove it during the shoot.

Securing and Organizing the Shooting Space

An ideal shooting space is a spot by a window that lets in natural light or a place where you can freely arrange lighting. A corner of your desk or table is sufficient, but it’s important to choose a tidy area to avoid unnecessary items in the background.

The depth of the shooting space should be at least 30cm to allow for the setup of background paper and lighting equipment. It’s also important to choose a stable flat surface to avoid accidentally touching the figure or equipment during shooting.

By fixing your shooting space, you can save the trouble of setting up every time, making shooting more convenient. If you create a dedicated shooting corner, keeping background paper and lighting set up will allow you to start shooting immediately whenever inspiration strikes.

Basics of Lighting | How Light Changes Photo Quality

The most important factor that determines the quality of a photo is lighting. Even with the same figure, the way light is directed can greatly change the impression. You can achieve professional-level lighting by utilizing natural light, reflectors, and 100-yen shop items, even without expensive lighting equipment. Here, we will introduce specific lighting techniques that beginners can practice.

• Techniques for Using Natural Light
• How to Eliminate Shadows with Reflectors
• Simple Lighting with 100-Yen Shop Items
• Changing Expressions with Light Direction

Techniques for Using Natural Light

Natural light is one of the easiest and most beautiful lighting options. By shooting near a window, you can utilize soft and natural light. In particular, the light on a cloudy day that does not have direct sunlight or light coming through lace curtains serves as an ideal light source that evenly illuminates the entire figure without casting strong shadows.

The best time for shooting is during bright hours from morning to noon. The afternoon west sun changes color temperature, becoming stronger in orange, making natural color reproduction difficult. When shooting near a window, placing the figure at a 45-degree angle to the window will enhance the three-dimensionality.

Additionally, since natural light changes with weather and time, if you want to keep shooting conditions consistent, it is recommended to use artificial lighting as mentioned later.

How to Eliminate Shadows with Reflectors

Reflectors are tools used to reflect light and brighten shadows. They are essential items used in professional studio photography, but can easily be substituted with white boards or styrene boards from 100-yen shops. Having 1 to 2 white boards about A4 size on hand will be useful in various shooting scenes.

Using a reflector is simple. Place the reflector on the opposite side of the light source to reflect light and brighten the areas where the figure casts shadows. For example, if light is coming in from a window, propping the reflector on the opposite side will balance the brightness on the right and left sides of the figure, resulting in a natural and three-dimensional photo.

By adjusting the angle of the reflector, you can control the strength of the reflected light. The closer the reflector is to the figure, the stronger the reflected light becomes, and the shadows become lighter. Conversely, moving it away weakens the reflected light and leaves shadows. Adjust this distance and angle to find the optimal balance.

Using multiple reflectors allows for more professional lighting. Placing one on each side of the figure can almost completely eliminate shadows, resulting in a clear finish like product photos.

Simple Lighting with 100-Yen Shop Items

Even without professional lighting equipment, you can create a sufficient lighting environment by utilizing items from 100-yen shops. The easiest method is to use 100-yen LED lights or flashlights. By securing a small LED light with a clip and directing it at the figure, it functions as a simple spotlight.

However, since the light from LED lights or flashlights can create hard and strong shadows when directed directly, it is important to place tracing paper or white paper in front of the light source to diffuse the light. Tracing paper can be purchased in the stationery section of 100-yen shops and has the effect of softening the light.

Additionally, you can also use 100-yen desk lights. By preparing 2 to 3 adjustable desk lights and placing them around the figure, you can achieve a professional multi-light setup. Unifying the color temperature of the lighting (whether white or warm) will result in photos with balanced colors.

Changing Expressions with Light Direction

By changing the direction of the light, you can greatly alter the impression of the figure. Front lighting (lighting from the front of the figure) creates a bright impression with few shadows, making it suitable for product photos or introduction photos. However, it also has the drawback of making it difficult to achieve three-dimensionality.

Side Lighting (shining light from the side of the figure) emphasizes three-dimensionality and shadows, creating a dramatic impression. It is effective when you want to highlight the character's expressions and the contours of their muscles. Backlighting (shining light from behind the figure) makes the outline glow, resulting in a fantastical silhouette. It is recommended for action scenes or when you want to create a divine atmosphere.

Choosing and Setting Up Backgrounds

The background is an important element that enhances the figure. If the background is cluttered, the presence of the figure diminishes. Conversely, by choosing a simple and appropriate background, the figure stands out, resulting in a professional finish. Here, we will explain the types of background paper, installation methods, and alternatives using 100-yen shop items.

• Types and Selection of Background Paper
• Background Paper Installation Techniques
• Creating Backgrounds with 100-yen Shop Items

Types and Selection of Background Paper

There are various types of background paper, such as white, black, gray, and color. The most versatile are white and gray. White backgrounds give a bright and clean impression, making them ideal for product photography and social media posts. They make it easy to accurately reproduce the colors of the figure and suit any character.

Black backgrounds can create a sense of luxury and a serious atmosphere. They are suitable for dark heroes and heavy mech figures, allowing for dramatic expressions. However, figures with black costumes may blend into the background, so it is necessary to emphasize the outline with lighting.

Gray backgrounds provide a calm impression, being in between white and black. They make shadows less noticeable and are easier to cover up lighting mistakes, making them recommended for beginners. Additionally, color backgrounds (blue, red, green, etc.) can emphasize the character's image color, enhancing the overall world view.

The size of the background paper should be A3 size or larger to adequately photograph figma figures (approximately 13-15 cm tall). If creating a shooting booth, preparing a larger background paper of A2 size or larger will ensure that the seams of the background are not visible, resulting in a clean finish.

Background Paper Installation Techniques

The most important aspect of installing background paper is to install it in a curved manner. If the background paper is folded at a right angle between the wall and the floor, the corners will cast shadows, resulting in unnatural lines appearing in the shot. To prevent this, install the background paper with a gentle curve.

The specific installation method involves fixing the top edge of the background paper with tape to the wall or cardboard, and simply pulling the bottom edge towards you and placing it on the table. Apply moderate tension so that the background paper naturally curves. This curve will prevent seams from showing in the background, creating an effect of an infinitely expanding space.

When securing the background paper, using masking tape will prevent damage to the wall. Additionally, lightly securing the table side with tape will stabilize it and prevent the background paper from shifting. Don’t forget to stretch the background paper flat to avoid wrinkles.

Creating Backgrounds with 100-yen Shop Items

You can adequately substitute for dedicated background paper with items from a 100-yen shop. The most recommended are 100-yen craft paper or colored paper. White craft paper can be purchased for about 100 yen per sheet, and its large size makes it usable for multiple shoots.

Colored paper comes in various color variations, allowing you to easily create backgrounds that match the character. The ability to choose from colors like black, gray, blue, and red is appealing. Additionally, 100-yen styrene boards (foam board) are thick and self-standing, making them easy to use as backgrounds.

Furthermore, using fabric or felt from a 100-yen shop as a background is also an option. Fabric adds texture and creates a soft atmosphere. Felt is less prone to wrinkling and has a matte texture that conveys a sense of luxury. By combining these items, you can prepare a variety of backgrounds at a low cost.

Basics of Composition and Angles

Composition and angle are significant elements that greatly influence the impression of a photograph. Even with the same figure, the atmosphere can change completely depending on the angle from which it is shot and where the figure is placed. Here, we will introduce techniques for composition and angles that beginners can easily practice.

• Creating Impact with Low Angles
• Creating Stable Composition with the Rule of Thirds
• Using Framing and Negative Space
• Creating a Story through Eye Guidance

Creating Impact with Low Angles

Low-angle shooting is a technique that captures the subject from just above the ground, giving the figure a sense of power and presence. Although figma figures are relatively small, around 13 to 15 cm tall, shooting from a low angle can express a strength akin to life-sized characters.

The key to low-angle shooting is to position the camera lower than the figure's eye level. Use a small tripod for smartphones and set the camera as low as possible. By shooting from ground level, the figure will be framed against the sky, creating a dramatic effect reminiscent of a scene from an anime or game.

Low angles are particularly effective when photographing action poses or battle scenes. Poses like jumping or holding a weapon gain dynamism when shot from a low angle. Additionally, using the sky or a wall as the background allows for the effect of the figure floating.

Since low-angle shooting can easily capture unwanted elements in the background, using larger backdrop paper or a shooting booth can help control the background. Also, remember to display the grid lines on your smartphone to maintain a level shot.

Creating Stable Composition with the Rule of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds is a fundamental technique for determining the composition of a photograph. By drawing lines that divide the frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically, placing important parts of the figure (like the face or eyes) at the intersections creates a balanced and aesthetically pleasing composition.

You can easily practice the Rule of Thirds by displaying the "grid lines" in your smartphone camera settings. Position the figure's face at one of the intersections and create negative space in the direction of its gaze for a natural and stable composition. For example, if the figure is looking to the left, placing it at the right intersection and leaving space on the left will facilitate smooth eye guidance.

The Rule of Thirds is also effective when including landscapes or backgrounds in your shots. Placing the figure in the lower third of the frame and using the upper two-thirds for the sky or background creates a sense of expansiveness. Conversely, placing the figure in the upper third emphasizes the ground or floor, resulting in a stable composition.

Using Framing and Negative Space

Framing refers to how you decide to include the figure within the frame. Choose your framing based on the purpose of the shot, such as full shot, bust shot, or close-up.

Using negative space is also important. Filling the frame completely with the figure can create a cramped impression, but creating appropriate negative space results in a more relaxed composition. Especially, creating negative space in the direction of the figure's gaze or movement generates a natural flow.

Creating a Story through Eye Guidance

Eye guidance is a technique that uses the figure's gaze and pose to direct the viewer's attention. By composing the shot so that the figure is looking at something, the photograph gains a sense of narrative. For instance, if the figure is looking to the left, placing small props or effect parts on the left can evoke a story like "the moment of discovery".

Easy Shooting Techniques with a Smartphone

Smartphones are the most convenient and high-performance tools for photographing figures. Recent smartphone cameras have improved in quality, allowing for photos that rival those taken with DSLRs. Here, we will introduce shooting techniques that make the most of smartphone features.

• Basic Settings for Smartphone Cameras
• Blurring the Background with Portrait Mode
• Close-up Mode and Focusing
• Smartphone Tripod and Remote Shutter

Basic Settings for Smartphone Cameras

Before taking photos with your smartphone, let's check the basic camera settings. First, by displaying the "grid lines", it becomes easier to practice the rule of thirds and maintain a level horizon. For iPhone, go to "Settings" → "Camera" → turn on "Grid"; for Android, enable grid display in the camera app settings.

Next, let's utilize the HDR (High Dynamic Range) feature. HDR is a function that beautifully captures both bright and dark areas, and it is effective in backlit scenes or scenes with a large contrast between light and dark. However, when photographing moving subjects, it is better to turn off HDR to reduce blurriness.

Exposure compensation is also an important setting. After tapping the smartphone screen to focus, you can adjust the brightness by dragging the slider up and down. If the figure appears too dark, increase the exposure; if it is too bright, decrease the exposure. Additionally, by adjusting the white balance, you can achieve a more natural color tone.

Blurring the Background in Portrait Mode

Portrait mode is a feature that allows you to take photos with a blurred background, similar to a DSLR camera. It is available on many iPhone and Android models and is very effective for figure photography. By blurring the background, the figure stands out, resulting in a professional-looking finish.

When using portrait mode, keeping the distance between the figure and the camera at about 15 to 30 cm will yield a natural blur effect. If you are too close, the focus may not work, and if you are too far, the blur effect will weaken. Additionally, many of the latest smartphones have a feature that allows you to adjust the strength of the blur after taking the photo, enabling fine-tuning after the shot.

Portrait mode can also be utilized when photographing multiple figures. By focusing on the figure in the foreground and blurring the figures in the back, you can create a photo with depth. However, be aware that blurring small parts or thin areas may result in unnatural processing, so check the results after shooting.

Close-Up Mode and Focusing

If you want to capture the details of a figure, use close-up (macro) mode. The latest iPhone and Android smartphones come equipped with a macro mode that allows for extreme close-ups, enabling you to capture the details of a figure's face or weapons clearly.

Focusing is easy; simply tap the screen. Tap the part of the figure you want to emphasize the most, such as the face or eyes, to lock the focus. By locking the focus, you can change the composition without losing focus. Additionally, using AE/AF lock (locking exposure and focus) allows for even more stable shooting.

Smartphone Tripod and Remote Shutter

The most important item for smartphone photography is a tripod. Handheld shooting is prone to camera shake, especially in close-up or low-angle shots, making a tripod essential. Small tripods for smartphones can be purchased for around 1,000 yen, and gorilla pod types allow for flexible angle adjustments.

A remote shutter is a device that allows you to remotely operate your smartphone's shutter via Bluetooth. It can completely prevent subtle shakes when pressing the shutter button, resulting in sharper photos. If you don't have a remote shutter, you can also use the self-timer function on your smartphone (2 seconds or 10 seconds) to prevent camera shake.

Creating a Shooting Booth for Serious Photography

If you want to further enhance the quality of your photography, consider introducing a shooting booth (photography box). A shooting booth provides a unified background and lighting, creating a stable shooting environment. You can choose between purchasing a commercial product or making one yourself with cardboard or fabric, depending on your budget and purpose.

• Commercial Shooting Booth vs DIY Booth
• Creating a Simple Booth with Cardboard and White Fabric
• Lighting Setup Inside the Shooting Booth

Commercial Shooting Booth vs DIY Booth

Commercial Photography Booths can be purchased for around 2,000 to 5,000 yen on platforms like Amazon. They come with built-in LED lights and are foldable for easy transport. Many often include multiple sheets of background paper, allowing you to start serious photography right away. In particular, choosing a size of 40cm x 40cm or larger provides ample space for photographing figma figures.

The advantage of commercial products is that setup is easy and the lighting is evenly distributed. The downside is that since the size is fixed, they may not be suitable for photographing large dioramas or multiple figures arranged together.

On the other hand, DIY booths can be made for about 300 to 1,000 yen using cardboard or 100 yen shop items. You can freely customize the size and shape, and expand it as needed. The disadvantages are that it takes time to create and you need to prepare lighting separately.

For beginners who want to start easily, commercial products are recommended, while those looking to save costs or prioritize flexibility should consider DIY booths.

Creating a Simple Booth with Cardboard and White Fabric

Making a DIY booth is simple. First, prepare a cardboard box of at least 30cm x 30cm. Cut out the top and front of the cardboard to create a U-shape. Attach white fabric or tracing paper purchased from a 100 yen shop to the cut-out areas. This fabric diffuses the light, achieving soft lighting.

Inside the cardboard, attach white poster paper or colored construction paper to create a background. Set the background paper in a way that it curves gently from the back of the cardboard to the front, ensuring that the seams of the background are not visible.

On the outside of the cardboard, place LED lights or desk lamps. By shining light from above and the sides, the entire figure will be evenly illuminated. If the light is too strong, add tracing paper to diffuse it.

The advantage of a DIY booth is that you can freely adjust the size. If you want to photograph a large diorama, you can make the cardboard larger or combine multiple pieces of cardboard. Additionally, when not in use, it can be folded and stored, saving space.

Lighting Setup Inside the Photography Booth

It is important to arrange the lighting inside the photography booth evenly. The basic setup consists of one light from above and one from each side, totaling three lights. The top light brightly illuminates the entire figure, while the side lights reduce shadows.

Instead of making all the lights the same strength, make the main light stronger and the sub-lights weaker to create a natural three-dimensional effect. For example, making the top and left sides strong while the right side is weak will give the figure appropriate shading, resulting in a realistic finish.

Practical Techniques for Recreating Iconic Scenes

The charm of figma figures lies in their mobility, allowing them to take various poses and recreate iconic scenes from anime and games. Here, we introduce popular photography techniques for

In Omo-sha, utilizing natural light is fundamental. When shooting outdoors on a sunny day, be aware of the sun's position and use backlighting or side lighting to capture atmospheric photos. Additionally, by being mindful of social media posts and utilizing hashtags (e.g., #Omo-sha #figmaPhotography), you can reach a wider audience.

Recreating Iconic Scenes from Anime and Games

When recreating iconic scenes from anime or games, it is essential to prepare reference images in advance. Adjust the figure's pose, camera angle, and lighting while looking at screenshots or official illustrations. In particular, faithfully recreating the character's expressions and gaze direction as in the original work enhances realism.

Lighting is also a crucial element in recreating iconic scenes. For example, in a battle scene, using side lighting or backlighting can create tension, while in a daily life scene, soft natural light can create a calm atmosphere. By utilizing effect parts and interchangeable expression parts, you can achieve more dramatic expressions.

Combining with Dioramas and Accessories

Since figma figures are 1/12 scale (approximately 13-15 cm), combining them with dioramas or accessories of the same scale can further expand the world view. Utilizing miniature furniture available at 100 yen stores or gashapon accessories allows you to create realistic scenes at a low cost.

When shooting with dioramas, it is important to be aware of depth. By placing figures in the foreground, accessories in the midground, and landscapes in the background, you can create photos with a sense of three-dimensionality. Additionally, focusing on the accessories can emphasize the narrative and stimulate the viewer's imagination.

Summary: Let's Recreate Iconic Scenes with figma Photography

This article comprehensively explained the basic knowledge necessary for photographing figma figures, as well as advanced shooting techniques. While shooting may seem difficult, with a smartphone and 100 yen items, you can start practicing today. Finally, let's review what we've learned and take the first step into practice.

Shooting Techniques Learned in This Article

First, as preparation before shooting, it is important to gather basic equipment such as a smartphone or camera, tripod, and blower, and to thoroughly address dust prevention. Next, as the basics of lighting, we introduced the use of natural light, shadow adjustment with reflectors, and simple lighting using 100 yen items. Remember that just changing the direction of light can significantly alter the impression of a photo.

In choosing backgrounds, we explained how to utilize versatile background papers in white, gray, and black, as well as how to substitute with imitation paper or colored paper from 100 yen stores. In terms of composition and angles, we learned how to create impact with low angles, how to create stable compositions using the rule of thirds, and how to evoke a story through guiding the viewer's gaze.

In smartphone photography, we introduced the use of grid lines, HDR functions, portrait mode, and macro mode, and emphasized the importance of tripods and remote shutters. Furthermore, we also explained how to create a shooting booth and practical techniques for Omo-sha and recreating iconic scenes.

Easy Steps to Start Right Now

The first step to start shooting is to use a smartphone and natural light by the window. Use white paper or cloth as a background, place the figure by the window, and try taking photos with the smartphone's grid lines displayed. Next, purchase a white board from a 100 yen store to use as a reflector and practice adjusting shadows.

Once you get used to it, try low-angle shooting and portrait mode. Using a tripod will allow you to take sharp photos without camera shake. Additionally, by creating your own shooting booth or challenging yourself with Omo-sha, you can expand your shooting range.

Further Improving Your Photography Skills

For those who want to further improve their photography skills, I recommend learning figma figure posing techniques as well. By mastering how to create poses that maximize mobility, your expressive capabilities in photography will greatly improve. [Related Article]: Complete Guide to figma Figure Posing and Arrangement Techniques provides detailed explanations on actual posing methods.

In addition, for a detailed explanation on how to enjoy figma figures in general and a beginner's guide, please check out the figma Beginner's Guide | Tips for Recreating Iconic Scenes with Action Figures and Photography Techniques. Furthermore, in the 【Related Articles】: figma Figure Beginner's Guide | Complete Mastery from Selection to Display, we also introduce how to choose figures and basic knowledge. Let's fully bring out the charm of figma figures through photography and share it with many people on social media.