Have you ever taken action figures and posed them into positions to act out a scene? Or placed them on a shelf a certain way to look like they were entangled in a brawl? Well photographer Daniel Picard has taken that simple, childhood concept and blown in up in a simple, yet elegant and unique way, telling a story in pictures, using Sideshow Collectable action figures in Figure Fantasy: The Pop Culture Photography of Daniel Picard, from Insight Editions.
The Sideshow Collectable figures, if you're not familiar, are highly detailed, stand around 12" tall, and tend to be the very expensive figures you shy away from in the store. They're actually geared towards and designed with adults in mind. Not made to play with, but to be displayed on a shelf.
Picard has taken a wide range of figures and photographed them in situation from the normal and mundane, like a Snowtrooper sweeping snow off his car, to the accurate and fitting, such as the Joker having a laugh in a police interrogation room. The level of detail in these photos are amazing. There were times I had to remind myself that these were photos of 12" action figures that someone posed. The photographs were achieved with Picard arranging the heroes and villains in to-scale environments.
You can see in the photos, how Picard took the time and truly thought these poses and scenarios through. Each photo tells a story, and they are truly remarkable to look at.
The book also features a forward and afterword by none other than Simon Pegg and Kevin Smith, both giving the book its proper praise.
For those looking for a quick geek grab, or a new book to have on the shelf or coffee table, this one is a no-brainer.
