I've been trying to think of a good plastic shot all week - this is just perfect. Such a simple photo, but it works. Not sure why the space to the right helps, but it does. Any particular reason you set it up that way?

Flobbbb a lobb

chrism: I shot it centrally - less distortion that way - then moved it, mostly because it seemed more balanced that way. No doubt it has something to do with the rule of thirds, which I consistently try to break but consistently seem to implement when I'm not thinking about it.

m: lol :-)

In reply to the additional image I'd say that the description "porn" is over stated. You get these kind of adds in National Newspapers these days. I'm glad you went with plastic. The other image isn't as worthy.

Chewie?

They don't look like the Bill And Ben, and let's not forget the lovely Weed, as I remember them. They've gone all podgy. :-)

m: yep.

nogger: yep, they've definitely put on weight.

what kind of backdrop did you shoot against?

stephen: I'm afraid to confess that it was all rather low-tech. The toy was balanced on a black T-shirt, on top of a pile of clean laundry, all of which is heaped on my office chair waiting to be put away. In the original the texture of the shirt is visible but mostly faded to black with a Curves adjustment. Any areas that still retained detail were darkened and/or deleted.

by mystery SW character.. might you be referring to that odd little pink worm in the bottom right corner? I think he's cute. and he makes me think of the meteor worm thing that the millenium falcon goes into in Empire as Han and Leah try to outrun the storm troopers.... brb. must go watch it now. haha.

Yeah, I saw Chewie, too... too bad I got beat. :-) Great colors on the lunch box - how old is that lunchbox?

yoda is casting a shadow on the back wall bottom left of the sunflower, however i think its more like E.T.

fantastic plastic

Good plastic effect. I think, compositionally, that I'd have broken the rule of thirds on this one. The big black space on the right feels wasted, and the subject that far left feels forced. Maybe centering it with a slight bit of light spill onto the black T-shirt underneath? Eh. That's just being nitpicky. :)

As for your second image, all I have to say is "Filthy!". ;)

Its a good representation for plastic...however, not really original enough to stick out for photofriday. Though I do like how its completly black. As for the other pic, I've seen worse in public newspapers. Much worse. And I guessed Chewbaka (Im a bad speller), but someone beat me. In the end, its all in the eye of the beholder.

Le Plastic reminds me of fall... I'm trying to think spring DJ! Good job of not capturing a discernable reflection in the upper left handle or upper left curve of the box itself. This thing a hoozie is in great shape. Maybe E-bay will get you a million bucks for it? ajp:AKA HuskyDSL.

it has a nostalgiac feel to it- even though i don't recall the 2 characters from TV here in the U.S. during that era. it's fun to hear how you "built" your set and lighting.

not familiar with black theme rules, but agree with Alec about just a bit too much black on the right, just a tiny smidge, but i really like the simplicity of not having anything else lit because the colors pop off the black so well.

i was almost afraid to click, but the soft porn looks quite like what we see in ads in the Chicago Reader for local strip clubs. the shot has humor to it. ;))))

I love the vibrant colours in this image. I don't see why you didn't use the 'soft porn' shot for this Photo Friday Challenge. The women in it look pretty plastic to me.

With that background, the orange just pops up. Cool colors.

Well done - I think taking the high road was a good choice as to your posting - I would like to see a full shot of Chewy though!

I like the vibrant colors of the lunch box. I think the contrast of it sitting on black looks magical. About the broken rule of thirds: I had the black theme on when I first saw it, so I didn't notice "wasted space", just an off-center picture. You may have broken a rule; nonetheless, I like the composition.

princess laya right?

I think the negative space works, because it returns the balance to the center. The toy is obviously weighted on the right, so allowing for the black space really centers the image balance-wise. I think centering it would have been a mistake. As for the image, it's a little creepy even -- fairly perfectly fakish. I dunno. Surreal, in the same way clowns are scary. I like it, even though I don't.

Thanks everyone.

This shot is wonderful. It really nails the "plastic" theme--you can almost smell that "new toy" scent. I love the way the light catches on the upper right side but doesn't highlight. As far as the toy--a bit frightening. Good work.