DARTH Vader in the bathtub with a rubber ducky. A stormtrooper armed with a plunger, preparing to tackle a blocked sink. Surfers heading off to catch some waves at Surfer's Corner in Muizenberg, the iconic beach huts behind them and seagulls flying overhead.
All striking images, all the work of one guy from Hout Bay in Cape Town, who's taken the art of toy photography and turned it into a lot more than child's play. And it's all the result of an idea clicking into place.
Many of the scenes Robert Whitehead conjures up are created with Lego characters from Star Wars along with superheroes and action figures. He also features characters from Roblox and Minecraft along with animals, dinosaurs and aliens. Nothing is off limits when his creative juices start to flow.
Robert uses special lighting and other tricks, and anything from his studio and backyard to the beach - can become a set for one of his enchanting toy stories.
"When we go for a hike I'm always on the lookout for the perfect moss patch or rock for photo scenes," the 43-year-old father of two says.
The Muizenberg beach scene is one of his favourite shots. He suspended the seagulls by attaching them to thin wires and then removed the wires for the pic using Photoshop.
Robert started toy photography 10 years ago. At first, it was just a hobby but it's grown so much it's now his main job.
His clients include the American company Jazwares, which makes a wide range of toys, and the Lego company. Several of his photographs were included in the plastic brick maker's coffee table book, Lego in Focus: Explore the Miniature World of Lego Photography.
For Robert, making a living from toys is like being a kid again and he loves immersing himself in the wonderful world of play.
"I get a big kick out of making a toy look like it's not just a toy - like it's alive and running and jumping."
Bu hikaye YOU South Africa dergisinin 11 January 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye YOU South Africa dergisinin 11 January 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
OUR BRAVE LITTLE FIGHTER
Like her late sister, little Elana was born with a rare lung condition and can't breathe without a ventilator, but her parents are walking this familiar path with courage and hope
DOUBLE JEOPARDY
With his new film, The Fall Guy, Ryan Gosling put stunt doubles centre stage but how hard is it for a complete amateur to master the trade? Journalist Simon Usborne decided to find out
INSPIRATION EVERYWHERE
Irish writer Cecelia Ahern chats to YOU about writing her novels in longhand, her love of Lego and looking forward to her first wine-tasting in South Africa
THE KIDS ARE NOT OKAY
Something happened around 2010 that's had a huge impact on Gen Z, says a new book. It was the start of the phone-based childhood, and it's resulted in a rewiring of kids' brains - and a surge in depression and anxiety
HE'S ON THE BALL
Despite having no lower legs, -Grayton's prowess on the rugby field has made him a social media star
THIS ISN'T JUSTICE
A woman was shot dead by her fiancé, who said he thought she was an intruder. Now her family believe he got off lightly
THE BOSS IN CHARGE OF YOUR CROSS
As chief electoral officer of the IEC, Sy Mamabolo has his hands full these days!
HEARTBREAK AND HOPE
Relatives and loved ones share their stories as rescue efforts continue for the people still trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building in George
BLOOMING!
Shes adored by fans and loathed by haters, but like the character she plays in her new movie, Anne Hathaway says shes putting her own Joy first
SUSSEXES' AFRICAN ADVENTURE
Meghan and Harry took Nigeria by storm – but relations with the royal family remain icy
