Polishing His X-Wing

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This photo by DigiNik13 makes excellent use of depth of field. DOF typically haunts MOC photography by diminishing scale or losing detail. But when used correctly, like this, it makes the shot. It's a simple trick that's hard to master. See how you have no problem identifying the ship he's standing next to, yet Luke is set off the background by focus. The lighting is also great, with just enough reflections and highlights to sculpt and model the contours. Nice shot.

Polishing his X-Wing

A Rare Peek Behind The Scenes

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LEGO designer Mark Stafford gives us a rare peek behind the scenes at LEGO with this prototype for Space Police 5982 Smash'n'Grab. Many factors determine what goes into a final set, and typically many prototypes are created. It is not uncommon for a more elaborate model to be simplified somewhat to meet the constraints of manufacturing. In this case budget limitations mandated simplification when this model switched places with the 5983 Undercover Cruiser's price point.

Smash-n-grab
 
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The Brickism Movement

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This is a fascinating piece, three dimensional modern interpretation of two dimensional Mondrian De Stijl art. It suffers a bit from somewhat dingy bricks and the lighting could be better, but it's still quite nice. I'd like to see this on an even bigger scale, I think it would be captivating. Imagine this standing about three feet tall and displayed at eye level. As you walked around it would be in continuous change, and surprise you with a clean grid four times. Nice work Veynom.
 

 
 

Moody Corridor

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This shot is a great example of how a compelling MOC shot doesn't have to be complicated. This is a very simple setup, with nothing more than a simplistic corridor and a minifig, yet you are drawn in. The lighting isn't complicated either, just a single source. But the color, silhouetted figure, rake lit edges of the hall, agreeable depth of field and blooming background all work together for a nice shot. And it's just a test, I can't wait to see the real shots.

Corridor Experiment

S7-D "Charon" - Desert Marauder

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This awesome little hardsuit comes to us from Flickr user LowestForm0fWit. There's a lot of very clever part use going on in a very small space. Those hands, Minifig armor, the thighs, battle droid heads, the feet, droid bodies. There's even a pair of bucket handles on the knees. Being a bit of a purist, I do take exception with the sacrifice of droid arms for fingers, but I do wish we had similar parts from LEGO for this very purpose. And it's posable too, a very clever build indeed.

S7-D "Charon" - Desert Marauder

Tour de Force

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Here at BrickNerd, we pay tribute to MOCs from days gone by, and from galaxies far, far away. When I was just diving into the AFOL scene way back when, and discovering Flickr as the gathering place for MOC photos, I discovered an amazing builder. Not only an amazing builder, but a real character, and soon a dear friend, Iain Heath. This series of Star Wars characters still makes me smile every time I look at them. 

Tour de Force

Land Ship Amagosa

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You can't look at this picture and not be drawn in. It's like an oil derrick, mechanical walker and shanty town in one. Can't you just imagine it, through a haze dust and heat distortion, rumbling toward you in slow motion?  It's a compelling piece in the still, but how about this, it's motorized and actually walks (see the video). Nice work Jason Allemann.

Land Ship Amagosa
“The sighting of a walker on the horizon was a cause for celebration, as it meant opportunity for trade and news from the outside world”
— Vehicles of the New World - James Bardridge

Skinsuit

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This ship's a beauty. Who would have thought brown, white and gold would go together so well? And the photography is top notch, which on a model like this isn't easy. See how the light plays on the canopy and contours the guns on front? What would otherwise have been very difficult to see against the dark background is instantly recognizable.  

skinsuit