Nerdy About The Bricks
This has never happened before. I'm at an event, I see an amazing creation, I meet the builder, and during the event itself, the builder publishes a picture and gives me the link. I've walked past this stunning and unique MOC of the mascot for Communidade 0937 several times and it captivates me every time. The entire interior structure of this is lightsaber blades, captured in a frame. For the display it's backlit too, making it even more magical.
Jason at JK Brickworks is back with another nifty MOC that has your best interests at heart. This one isn't kinetic, but sci-fi and Kubrick fans will recognize HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey. HAL is brought to life by the Pfx Brick, featuring light and sound. They're in the final push on their Kickstarter and need your help. You can also find instructions to build your own HAL here.
Builder Bricksonwheels is back with another incredibly detailed rig. This time it's a Peterbilt 379 hauling a Polar Tanktrailer, and it's stunning. The attention to detail and care that went into this is staggering, and thanks to a full compliment of lighting products by Brickstuff, it looks a treat even in the dark. Click through for many more pictures, it's amazing.
Talk about eye catching. This musical scene from Alice in Wonderland is as much about the photography as it is the build. Julius von Brunk brings us this colorful and whimsical scene, showing Alice, Hatter, March Hare and the White Rabbit absolutely rocking. The shot was accomplished with the clever use of multicolor party spotlights, a great effect expertly done.
The Martian was an incredible movie. From the premise and the drama, to the humor and the production design, it's top notch filmmaking. And this Martian inspired MOC by Bricking It is top notch building. This is also top notch presentation. At first glance this looks like a still from the movie, with the martian terrain in the background and the careful lighting of the rover. Superb work!
Whether you like the light or the dark, this picture by the always excellent Avanaut has both. The multiple sources of light as well as the slight bit of haze make for a beautifully atmospheric picture which totally captures the sinister, moody feel of Jabba's Palace. Avanaut says this picture is one of many in his new book, so if you want to see more goodness like this, go check it out.
Lighting and atmosphere add so much to a photo, and it doesn't have to be a complex setup to be very effective. This awesome diorama shot by MassEditor was accomplished with simple lighting and a liberal application of a fog machine, but the effect is stunning, and sets a perfect mood. Can't you just hear the frogs and insects? The faint, slow banjo playing in the distance? The MOC itself is very good, but combined with creative photography it's a home run.
We're huge fans of Brickstuff. I've used their lighting products in many animated projects and they're the coolest company you'll ever do business with. Now you can score your own starter kit and all it takes is your email! Click here to enter and good luck!
All the guys in the spacesuits with their cool machines and crafts get all the glory. No one gives much thought to the guys emptying the trash and making sure those futuristic floors shine. Take for instance this unsung hero, cleaning the floor of this beautifully lit corridor (thanks to excellent use of Brickstuff lights) by builder justin_m_winn. I'm going to call him Jerry, thanks Jerry.
Builder Brother Steven brings us this breathtakingly beautiful shot of a whimsical and serene setting. This is some top notch building, lighting, composition and editing. It sets a mood and draws you in, like a tranquil scene in a movie.
This is gorgeous, it's like a scene from a movie. I love everything about this awesome shot by agaethon29, the build, the lighting, the composition, everything. I am instantly drawn in and want to know more about what's going on. Take note space builders, this is how to shoot your models for a cinematic or narrative presentation, beautiful!
Scotland based Curious Minds has become the sole European and UK retailer for US based Brickstuff. This is great news for all my friends and fellow LEGO enthusiasts across the pond. I'm a huge fan of Brickstuff and it's founder Rob Klingberg. I've used their lighting products in every stop-motion short I've produced and will continue to do so.
Visit Curious Minds' website for more information and get your lighting on!
I love this, for a few reasons actually. First of course it's Star Wars original trilogy, so that's pretty much an automatic. Second, I can appreciate how difficult it was to do, lighting and photographing a super dark set with dark figures is really hard. And lastly, it's just a damn good shot, great lighting, great editing and great composition. Nicely done Andrew JN!
I was fresh out of high school and jonzin' to start a career in movies when Aliens premiered back in 1986. I can remember going to see it with a buddy and being totally blown away by it. This morning I'm blown away by this spectacular MOC by Missing Brick. The MOC itself is really impressive, but the presentation is what really caught my attention. Using a combination of LED scale lighting, under lighting, an iPad for a splash of color and an atomizer for atmosphere, this iconic scene from the movie is recreated with brilliant results.
I realize that cinematic lighting isn't appropriate for photographing most MOCs, but when it is, this is how it's done. LEGOMINDED perfectly sets the mood in this dark and dank place using a principal of lighting that is often overlooked, negative space. Sometimes what you don't see is just as, if not more, important than what you do see. Can't you hear the sporadic water drips, the faint hiss of steam from a nearby boiler, the white noise of the pipes overhead, the scurry of an unseen rodent. This is how you set a mood.
I love this. I get questions all the time on photography and camera gear and I usually have the same first question "what's your budget?" It really doesn't matter these days what camera you use. I've seen stunning shots from an iPhone and terrible ones from a Canon 5D. Lighting isn't terribly difficult either, you can get by with simple desk lamps. The one constant, the one thing that matters is time. If you're in a hurry to get your MOC on Flickr, you can expect it to be a bad shot. Take your time, look critically at the images. Don't be afraid to take a shot, look at it on your computer and then go back and shoot again. I do this all the time, so do professionals, and so should you. Every MOC poses it's challenges in photography, just take your time and experiment and you'll be surprised how great your pictures can be. Take a look at this simple setup by SuckMyBrick, and then go take a peek at their pictures...nuff said.
Scale lighting is a crucial component for a properly displayed and lit large model. Especially an interior and even more so when it's cinematically inspired. This Batcave by Brent Waller is a fantastic example of scale lighting, with super dramatic results. Notice how a sense of depth and scale is accomplished by using numerous small sources of light and how there's a good balance of darkness in the image ( Batman would approve). Sometime what you don't light is just as important as what you do.
This shot by samsofy speaks to me. I've spent SO much time in the past 25 years on green screen stages, but never with a group of Sith lords. I love that this is lit, not only with some cleverly built Lifelites, but that there's a grip holding a reflector, classic. Now, what are we going to do about that heinous green spill on that helmet?
Now wouldn't this be a fun little discovery while trekking through the woods? Minding your own business and suddenly there's a fountain of youth right there in front of you. This is a excellent example of creative lighting to truly make a MOC. Using LED lighting strips, markus19840420 under lit the water in this scene. That twisted trunk on the center tree is really cool too.
I just watched this movie the other night. Still holds up beautifully 27 years later. This MOC depicts the scene where they discover the location of the colonists. This brilliantly detailed and lit interior comes from Missing Brick, who has a whole series excellent scenes from Aliens. Custom minifigs by Matthias.
Thanks for the head's up Pete
BrickNerd is your source for all things LEGO and the LEGO fan community
Like what we're doing? Become a patron to show your support, get early access, exclusive swag and more. Or leave a one-time donation by hitting the yellow button. Everything is appreciated!
BrickNerd is not associated with The LEGO Group.
Opinions shared on this site are our own and not the opinions of LEGO or The LEGO Group.
LEGO® is a trademark of The LEGO Group which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site.
Copyright © 2013 - 2025 BrickNerd. All Rights Reserved.
Contact Us
