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Friday, November 29, 2013

C-305 Ranger

I'm trying something a little different with my pictures for the next couple of blog posts. Instead of the normal white background I thought I would experiment with a black background to see if I could get some cleaner, clearer shots of figures. The first figure to endure this process: Ranger.

Why is it that the Japanese color figures seem so much cooler? Is it just the novelty factor, or are the color schemes actually more appealing to the eye than their American counterparts? In Ranger's case, I think it is the latter. Originally I wanted him just because he was essentially a repaint, but upon receiving him and seeing the figure in person I think his colors work so much better than the green/pink/blue sported by Joyride.

Ranger and his Transtector
I guess I can't really call him a repaint because he and Joyride were released at the same time, in fact you could mail order away for the American version of the mold in Japan! Why couldn't we do that?!?! There would be a lot more Minerva's floating around if we could I guarantee you that much.


There isn't really much more to say about this figure other than he's obviously part of Masterforce, my personal favorite of the three Japanese series. And even though he wasn't a stand out character like Metalhawk or Overlord, he definitely had a distinct personality. Almost like that of Hound in his love of nature. I also enjoy that he was Canadian (or retreated to Canada, whatever). Just a nice guy who loved his horse and got pulled into war.


Anyway, I'd love some feedback on the pictures. Honestly I really don't have a process down yet so black background pics take much, much longer than white background and I'm not sure look as good, but I'll reserve judgement for at least one more post.

See also:
C-303 Minerva! Or is it Minelba?
C-301 Goshooter - Shūta Gō!
C-310 God Ginrai Giftset...Vintage!
C-310 God Ginrai - Inside the Differences
D-306 Darkwings Gift Set



4 comments:

  1. I've seriously been thinking about a black background for a while now, but my background always comes out looking paler than it is. I'm not that great at editing photos. Your black background figures look pretty good to me. There are some shadows, but the colors stand out.

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    1. Thanks, yes it is really hard to get that nice dark background. It takes a lot of work so I don't know if I want to stick with it.

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  2. Congrats on getting Ranger! I agree, this colour scheme seems more agreeable to the eyes than Joyride's dark green and odd pink (they did the pink thing to Skullcruncher too).

    I like the photos against the black background. In my (not really) professional opinion:
    (1) in some shots the shadows are stronger than perhaps intended?;
    (2) in some shots, the colour looks a little pale and washed out (could be editing or just the lighting effect);
    (3) darker parts, like the wheels are not visible in for example the last shot;
    (4) also the colour palette seems to be skewed a little - because in the last shot, the wheels look black, but owning Ranger myself, I know that the wheels are actually lighter in colour and has a brown hue (which perhaps would have shown against a white background but not black?).

    Still, nothing wrong with black and no one every said photos has to show the toy like it was a catalogue shot or that it has to be 100% crispe and clean. I think its really down to how you want to show your stuff. Having strong shadows and not showing all the toy can look pretty and personal as well.

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  3. It helps that Ranger is voiced by the same guy who voiced Chibodee Crocket in G Gundam :D

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