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From Teenager with a Disposable Cameras to Cinematic Toy Photographer
BainS path to photography started like many young people’s, capturing everyday moments with disposable cameras. as phone cameras began to improve, he phased out disposable cameras in favor of phone cameras, novel tech at the time. However, it wasn’t until he reached university that he truly discovered his passion for photography, realizing there was more to the craft than just snapping pictures for fun.
“I’ve always been interested in photography.When I was a teenager, I carried disposable cameras to capture moments at music festivals or with friends. this was before phone cameras were good enough,so disposable cameras seemed like the best option at the time,” he recalls.
While studying music technology, a field seemingly distant from photography, Bain found himself drawn towards music promotion. It was through promoting his own music that Alex developed a deeper interest in photography.
“I enjoyed the creative aspects of promoting bands, which pushed me to buy my first DSLR camera.I started taking photos of other bands and realized how much I loved it. It became clear that I could mix my love for photography with my music interests,” he says.
As his skills in photography and understanding promotion and marketing grew, he began to apply them to his other hobby, collecting toys, specifically action figures. Now, years into his career Bain is an expert in his field, known for his realistic and cinematic photographs, even publishing a magazine and several books on the genre which has grown in popularity.[Image: Two stormtroopers stand on rocky terrain under a cloudy sky. One raises a hand while the other holds a blaster. TIE fighters fly in the background, and an AT-AT walker is visible in the distance.]
“I Want My Photos to Look Like Movie stills”
When it comes to Bain’s photography style, the word “cinematic” often arises, as movies, notably sci-fi and horror films, play a important role in his creative process.
“I aim to make every photo feel like a scene from a movie. Even if it’s an action figure,I want it to feel real,like you could press play and watch a whole film. I draw inspiration from films, from composition to lighting to poses. Art books have also been a significant influence – they push me to think differently about colors and lighting,” he explains.
These influences come alive in his toy photography,where figures from Star Wars,Alien,and more are staged in dynamic,cinematic ways that mirror the drama and visual intensity of a movie scene. One of the most rewarding aspects of photography for Bain is the satisfaction of seeing a shot come together.
“when I have a clear vision and everything falls into place-lighting, composition, posing-it’s the best feeling in the world,” he admits.
However, he also embraces the unexpected moments.
“Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. I may miss the lighting, but that can led to new opportunities in editing. Sometimes,those ‘mistakes’ end up being the best parts of a photo.”
[Image: A detailed action figure scene of a Predator and an Alien locked in combat inside a dark, sci-fi cave setting, with dramatic lighting highlighting their fierce struggle.]
[image: darth Vader holding a red lightsaber stands on snowy wreckage, surrounded by star Wars imperial forces with AT-AT walkers and snowtroopers in the background, set on a wintry battlefield.]
“My Workflow Varies Depending on What I Want to Achieve”
creating a new piece of work isn’t always a straightforward process for Bain, as he isn’t only thinking about camera and lighting settings but also creating the entire scenes by hand, dioramas modeled after movie sets yet considerably smaller.
“It really depends on the shot I’m going for,” he says. “if I want a specific scene, sometimes I need to build my own diorama or digirama pieces. For example, I recently got a Zelda figure, but my dioramas were more sci-fi, so I had to create something new.”
Once his set is built, the process continues with the practical setup, where magic brings it all together in post-production.
“I get the figures into the poses I want, than check the composition on my camera. After that, I adjust the lights. I usually take several shots with diffrent lighting setups to get just the right look. I’ll combine shots,adjust colors,add effects like lightsabers or explosions,and tweak until it feels right.”
[Image: A group of Star Wars bounty hunter action figures, including Boba Fett, stand in a spaceship room, facing a blue hologram of a person projected from a console. Light streams through vertical slits in the background.]
[Image: A toy figure of Link from The Legend of Zelda stands on stone steps outdoors, looking down and smiling at a small, green, leafy Korok figurine. Radiant sunlight and yellow grass surround the scene.]
[Image: Two Star Wars action figures, darth Maul with a double-bladed red lightsaber faces off against Ahsoka Tano, who wields two blue lightsabers, in a dramatic, futuristic setting.]
A Passion for Star Wars, Sci-Fi, and Horror
While Bain is best known for his Star Wars work, his interests extend to other genres as well. His passion for movies and pop culture is evident in the care and emotion displayed in his imagery, noting even the finest of details to tell a story in miniature.
“Star Wars is definitely my go-to,” he says, “but I love sci-fi and horror in general. The Star Wars universe is so rich, there’s always a new theme or storyline to explore.”
His love for the genre is reflected in the depth and variety of his photos, whether depicting epic battles, quiet moments of reflection, or action-packed scenarios. When it comes to horror, Bain is particularly drawn to the classics.
“I love the old Universal Monsters from the ’30s and ’40s,” he says. “Those films have such rich atmosphere, and I enjoy shooting in black and white to capture that moody, vintage feel. Sci-fi and horror really give me room to play with darker, moodier lighting.”
[Image: A woman in a dramatic white cloak stands in swirling fog, facing a tall arched window with light streaming in.]