What is the funniest joke this year?

What did the singer Meatloaf say when he couldn't find any soap? I would do anything for Dove.

What is the best way of learning toy photography...?

Today, I bought a new toy. This is one of the most exciting things about toy photography. Here he is, below...

Five minutes later, an arm snaps off. It pays to be gentle.

Good news--the limb actually fits back in its slot. I suppose that happened to C3-PO, himself.

Today's lesson isn't about manhandling things. It's about learning. How do you learn about your craft? Some people learn by reading or listening to podcasts. Others, like me, get stuck in and learn about the practice of toy photography. Of course, breakages will occur.

There is nothing wrong with reading. I still read, and so should you. When you read about your craft, you are inspired to take notes and when you feel you have read a lot, your style creeps up inside you. The same goes for podcasting.

People ask how they develop their style. Style creeps up on you; and soon enough you have developed your own style without realising it. The secret is to learn all the rules and methods before breaking them or using them to suit your style.

What do I do as a toy photographer?

1. I visit charity shops and look for small toys (the smaller the better). I also look at online auction sites or classified websites that give away toys. 
2. I plot a storyline for a toy photograph. The photographs above, aren't very good toy photographs because there is no story to them. A good toy photograph should have a sense of story.
3. I try to imagine the toy as a human being or an animal. That way, people can resonate with your work. 
4. I look at blogs and websites dedicated to toy photography/photography.
5. I look at popular culture--watch movies, read, visit galleries etc. 

Over time, you soak up ideas and you pick and choose those you think are worthy of a storyline.

When you are plotting a storyline, it is a good idea to carry a notebook with you to write down your thoughts. The first things you write will not be very good, but at those early stages, it's about brainstorming. Or in other words, quantity of ideas rather than quality of ideas.

Usually in a storyline, it is a good idea to have two or three characters, so you can illustrate a relationship between the two.

Better still, use humour. If you are lacking in humour, that is not a problem. If you want to know how to write a joke, I can show you how. Better to reserve this for another blog post, though.

Who's watching ya, baby?

Wouldn't want to be a canary in a cage with eyes like that looking from above, would you? It's hello, but it is not hello as you and I know it...

Today's cookery tip:

One part whiskey and one part balsamic vinegar= canary marinade.

Basically, you can apply this tip to any meat, but on this occasion, I am applying to the canary I caught earlier.

Take a small frying pan and heat oil until it is very hot. Drop the canary in and cook each side at four minutes apiece. Bung it on a warm plate and, as the canary marinade sauce in the other pan is still very hot, pour it over the meat and serve with your favourite beverage...mine is beer (none of that cold lactic muck in a saucer). If the sauce isn't thick enough, you could add some maple syrup.

Perfect on a cold winter's evening (and before the owner gets home from work)...

Two book reviews: what are your views?

COMIC BOOK REVIEWS. 

The Wolf's Whistle by Bjorn Rune Lie.

A beautiful book with echoes of Richard Scarry's work, it is a natural fusion of superhero comics and children's stories. Colourful all the way through, the book is an absolute delight to read and will have you coming back for more.

The story? Albert, a little wretch of a wolf spends his lunchtimes drawing comics and dreams of having his work published by Wonder Comics. He is bullied by three porcine brothers. Later on, he takes on his oppressors under the guise of the Lone Wolf, thus fulfilling his destiny as a superhero.



The Bento Bestiary by Ben Newman and Scott Donaldson.

The eighteenth-century Japanese artist, Toryamn Sekin portrayed spirits of the Yokai tradition, namely Godzilla, Hebi and Inugami--all of which were an ancient race of demons that terrorised the world.

To keep this tradition alive, Ben Newman and Scott Donaldson revisit these demons in a bold and colourful manner to incorporate worldwide themes that grace our world today.

That's it, really. And they've done a pretty good job of it.

Which two comics should you have read by now?

I have recently been reading two excellent comic books, both of which were published last year. Ben Newman and Scott Donaldson's, The Bento Bestiary and Bjorne Rune Lie's The Wolf's Whistle. Recommended.

Review tomorrow. Stay tuned (in the meantime, try and buy them before they get snapped up...).

When a cat eats another cat's food...

Waylon Comics is here again! 

Can cats do a handstand? You betcha...

Can cats do handstands? Well, if this isn't evidence...hehe!

Is your cat an acrobat of sorts? Send us your views. Best picture wins pride of place on this blog. Yay.