Send this to friendYour emailRecipient emailUrban Ghosts uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and to serve you with advertisements that might interest you. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Privacy Policy Accept CookiesThe cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.'LEGO Star Wars' Is a Photographic Wonderland LEGO Star Wars: Small Scenes from a Big GalaxyVesa Lehtimäki(DK)US: Nov 2015Amazon Novel images and projects often make the Internet rounds ad nauseum as many various photography sites turn them into clickbait posts after seeing them elsewhere, no matter the artistic value of the project. The hyperbole in the headlines is enough to drive a person mad. However, this headline is right on point. There have been a few photo projects that I’ve seen that are as inspiring as Vesa Lehtimäki’s work with action figures—and specifically in this collected volume of his work with LEGO Star Wars toys called Small Scenes from a Big Galaxy.
While I wish the book had some photos of the non-LEGO Star Wars works from the photographer, I can’t fault the publisher or Lucasfilms for limiting the property upon which this is focused. In recent years people, including myself, have complained that store-bought LEGO sets stifle creativity, given they are all cinematic scenes or specific models that need to be built to specification to look like the Millennium Falcon, for example. Lehtimäki’s work will dissuade anyone from thinking that again—he creates exciting new scenarios for the mini-figures and photographs them with inventive props, styles and perspectives, like the fresh snow (or really baking powder) on ice planet Hoth. Even the “portraits” of the figures, which aren’t super riveting, invite photographers to study them closely and see what lighting techniques were used to highlight such a small portion of a tiny figure. Small Scenes from a Big Galaxy stimulates fun receptors as much as it triggers creativity impulses, though I’d believe this is a book for photographers or videographers rather than children or LEGO collectors as the former group could absorb more from the project.
The end chapter goes “Behind the Scenes” with insight into Lehtimäki’s processes, including some preliminary sketches, overall composition of the workspace and lighting techniques. He notes that despite getting the snow look right, he hasn’t been satisfied with the sand, so if any photographers out there come up with a good substitute, he’d probably welcome the tips. I would have liked to see Lehtimäki go outside the conceptual limitation the figures reside in—the photos are relegated to concepts or activities that could arise on various Star Wars solar bodies, such as Hoth, Tatooine or Endor. Lehtimäki, like many other rabid fans, is probably eager for a chance to “play” with the figures from The Force Awakens. LEGO fans will find a new selection of models based around the new film available soon, though this book is already available and worth perusing. LEGO Star Wars: Small Scenes from a Big Galaxylego star wars | We all know how critical it is to keep independent voices alive and strong online.
Please consider a donation to support our work as an independent publisher devoted to the arts and humanities. Your donation will help PopMatters stay viable through these changing and challenging times where advertising no longer covers our costs. We need your help to keep PopMatters publishing. Created by Finnish photographer Vesa Lehtimäki, this collection of photographs combines the worlds of Star Wars with LEGO characters as well as a ton of creative staging. In order to create many of the scenes on Hoth from The Empire Strikes Back, Lehtimäki uses a large quantity of baking powder to recreate snow and makes interesting lighting choices to capture images that somewhat replicate scenes from the films. Regarding camera hardware, Lehtimäki uses a Canon EOS 5D Mark II to take the shots as well as Adobe Photoshop CS4 to perfect the image. Scenes depicted within his work mostly deal with the day-to-day life of people on Hoth, but he’s also included some interesting Indiana Jones mash-ups related to Return of the Jedi.
To see his entire collection, you can view his Flickr account here. But first, check out our favorite shots below: Photo credits: Vesa Lehtimäki (Follow him on Facebook and Twitter)If you love Star Wars then chances are your children will or already do. So will their children, your grandchildren. These books are the perfect stories to read to kids after a long day of defending your individual galaxy. Star Wars has become so ubiquitous that it often gets on a kid’s radar long before they’re ready to actually see the movies. So, what’s a parent or grandparent to do when their 3-year-old wants to know everything there is to know about Darth Vader? Thankfully, these ten Star Wars books for kids were created as kid-friendly stories that are sure to delight your little Jedi.Goodnight Darth Vader by Jeffrey BrownImage via Jeffrey BrownIt's bedtime in the Star Wars galaxy, and Darth Vader's parenting skills are tested anew in this delightful follow-up to the breakout New York Times bestsellers Darth Vader and Son and Vader's Little Princess.
In this Star Wars books for kids Episode, Goodnight Darth Vader, the Sith Lord must soothe his rambunctious twins, Luke and Leia—who are not ready to sleep and who insist on a story. As Vader reads, the book looks in on favorite creatures, droids, and characters, such as Yoda, R2-D2, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Darth Maul, Admiral Ackbar, Boba Fett, and many others as they tuck in, yawn, and settle down to dream. As ever, Jeffrey Brown's charming illustrations and humor glow throughout, playing on children's book conventions to enchant adults and kids alike.Star Wars: The Jedi Academy by Jeffrey BrownImage via Jeffrey BrownThis inventive Star Wars books for kids, Star Wars: The Jedi Academy, follows Roan's first year at Jedi Academy where, under the tutelage of Master Yoda, he learns that he possesses more strength and potential than he could have ever dreamed. Oh, and he learns other important things too--like how to make a baking soda volcano, fence with a lightsaber, slow dance with a girl, and lift boulders with the Force.
This incredible, original story captures all of the humor, awkwardness, fun, and frustrations of middle school--all told through one boy's comics, journal entries, letters, doodles, and newspaper clippings. A galaxy far, far away...LEGO Star WarsImage via LEGO/ScholasticPerfect for fans of any age, this fun-filled activity book is based on the LEGO Star Wars universe! Star Wars is the most recognizable sci-fi brand to date, its legacy spanning generations. LEGO has proved itself to be a powerhouse among younger boys. Together, the two brands are unstoppable. Following on the success of our LEGO Star Wars books for kids publishing program, our favorite heroes and villains return in an action-filled and hilarious Search-and-Find! This cute little book feels a lot like Where's Waldo, except for the fact your not searching for Waldo and it is set in the Star Wars universe. Here you're trying to find the clever IG-88, who we know is out to cause trouble.Star Wars: A Pop Up Guide To The Galaxy by Matthew ReinhartImage via Matthew ReinhartStar Wars: A Pop Up Guide To The Galaxy is an explosive, interactive, pop off the page book about George Lucas's Star Wars movies to celebrate the 30th anniversary!
Matthew Reinhart has created another spectacular pop-up book for George Lucas's epic Star Wars movies! Best selling pop-up artist and engineer Matthew Reinhart has designed a thirtieth-anniversary commemorative edition that comes packed with a variety of novelty features -- pop-ups, working light sabers, pull tabs, and other interactive looks at the exciting and popular movies. This beautiful book will impress all fans of Star Wars and gives a whole new perspective to the filmsDarth Vader and Friends by Jeffrey BrownImage via Jeffrey BrownIn this funny and sweet new book, Darth Vader and Friends, is part of the bestselling Darth Vader series, Eisner Award–winning author Jeffrey Brown offers an intimate look at the friendships between best pals in the Star Wars universe, from Darth Vader and the Emperor to Leia and her Ewok pals, Han and Chewie, C-3PO and R2-D2, the bounty hunters, and other favorite characters. Jealousy, birthday parties, lightsaber battles, sharing, intergalactic rebellion and more all come into play as Brown's charming illustrations and humor irresistibly combine the adventures of our friends in a galaxy far, far away with everyday events closer to home.
The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee by Tom AnglebergerImage via Tom AnglebergerIn The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee, Dwight is attending Tippett Academy this semester, the kids of McQuarrie Middle School are on their own and there is no Origami Yoda to give advice and help them navigate the treacherous waters of middle school. Then Sara gets a gift she says is from Dwight—a paper fortune-teller in the form of Chewbacca. It’s a Fortune Wookiee, and it seems to give advice that’s just as good as Yoda’s—even if, in the hands of the girls, it seems too preoccupied with romance. In the meantime, Dwight is fitting in a little too well at Tippett. Has the unimaginable happened? Has Dwight become normal? It’s up to his old friends at McQuarrie to remind their kooky friend that it’s in his weirdness that his greatness lies.Jedi Academy: The Phantom Bully by Jeffrey BrownImage via Jeffrey BrownThis incredible, original story captures all of the humor, awkwardness, fun, and frustrations of middle school--all told through one boy's comics, journal entries, letters, sketches, e-mails, and more.
In Jedi Academy: The Phantom Bully, it's hard to believe this is Roan's last year at Jedi Academy. He's been busier than ever learning to fly (and wash) starships, swimming in the Lake Country on Naboo, studying for the Jedi obstacle course exam, and tracking down dozens of vorpak clones--don't ask. But now, someone is setting him up to get in trouble with everyone at school, including Yoda. If he doesn't find out who it is, and fast, he may get kicked out of school! Why can't middle school just be easy…Darth Paper Strikes Back by Tom AnglebergerImage via Tom AnglebergerIn this book, Darth Paper Strikes Back, it is a dark time at Ralph McQuarrie Middle School. After suffering several Origami Yoda–related humiliations, Harvey manages to get Dwight suspended from school for being a “troublemaker.” Origami Yoda pleads with Tommy and Kellen to save Dwight by making a new case file—one that will show how Dwight’s presence benefits McQuarrie. With the help of their friends, Tommy and Kellen record cases such as “Origami Yoda and the Pre-eaten Wiener,” “Origami Yoda and the Exploding Pizza Bagels,” and “Origami Yoda and Wonderland: The Musical.”
But Harvey and his Darth Paper puppet have a secret plan that could make Dwight’s suspension permanent . . .How to Speak Wookiee by Wu Kee SmithImage via Wu Kee Smith and JAKeEveryone's been there you re playing holo chess with a Wookiee, and things get out of hand. You've done something to offend him, but you don't know what. How can you defuse the situation? Better yet, how can you make sure you never end up there again? With intergalactic travel easier than ever, Wookiees can now be found on nearly every planet in the galaxy and on starships everywhere in between. This helpful guide, How to Speak Wookiee: A Manual for Intergalactic Communication, teaches citizens of the galaxy key phrases in the Wookiee language, eliminating near-fatal encounters with notoriously short-tempered Wookiees while smoothing the way to lasting partnerships and friendships. The handy sound module recorded by Chewbacca himself! demonstrates proper pronunciation of ten key phrases.Darth Vader and Son by Jeffrey BrownImage via Jeffrey BrownWhat if Darth Vader took an active role in raising his son?