Inch-High Portraits

Mike Shields creates wonderful miniature scenes using model figures and a bit of creative wit. We follow his process from scene to screen…

- Mike Shields

While surfing the web, I came across Tatsuya Tanaka’s Miniature Calendar website (www.miniaturecalendar.com). I was fascinated by his miniature scenes using everyday objects, so I thought I’d give it a shot myself.

I use my Nikon D5500 with a Sigma 105mm f/2.8 macro lens. As most images are shot from waist level, it helps that my Nikon has an articulated screen, which I can swivel out to view without stooping to look through a viewfinder. I then use manual focus on the figures using the zoom feature on the LCD screen.

The setup for the scenes is a small infinity curve studio that I put together using a foam board and some A3 card placed on a small table. I light this with a 64-LED light, which is mainly handheld, enabling me to make small adjustments before releasing the shutter.