Before and After: Custom Creations vs. LEGO Elements, Part 3
In this ongoing “Before and After” series, we explore how custom-made creations sometimes anticipate official elements eventually released by LEGO. For this special summer edition, we’re diving deep (literally) into underwater creatures and swimming back up to land for a few surprises on the surface. Let’s take a closer look at these nautical elements and their official LEGO counterparts.
Dangerous Anglerfish
The depths of the ocean hold great potential for some amazing underwater adventures, especially in LEGO form. The sea bed is full of colorful coral, lurking monsters, and if you get too deep, one very hungry anglerfish.
This monster is a crazy mix of glued and sculpted paper, with LED lights on the inside. I sculpted the anglerfish specially for dark and mysterious scenes where the small source of light from the fish’s body is a key element of storytelling. The fish becomes the main part of the environment. It’s a difficult feat for any diver to escape the glow of this hungry-looking guy!
New LEGO Parts, New Photo
With the release of LEGO’s new anglerfish elements, we have even more storytelling and photo possibilities! The glow-in-the-dark elements of these new pieces are perfect for shooting, and the fish headgear from The LEGO Ninjago Movie fits right in.
‘Three Guardians’
Glowing Jellyfish
The beautiful combination of water and LEGO transparent elements inspired me to build a creature of the deep that blends these elements very nicely: jellyfish. I sculpted the jellyfish in a realistic style and illuminated it to capture the true star of the darkness!
New LEGO Parts, New Photo
I was excited to get some small official LEGO jellyfish that match the aesthetics of the transparent pieces. The small jellyfish looks more “domesticated,” doesn’t it?
"Reading lamps"
Glowing Globefish
Look who’s surfaced from the depths! This custom globefish is a true underwater puffball, just as spiky and buoyant as the real thing. Proud of his uniqueness, he always dreamed of seeing his ocean friends join the official LEGO lineup—and thanks to the Ninjago fish headgear, that dream finally came true!
New LEGO Parts, New Photo
In the scene below, both custom and official elements come together. The girl proudly wears her pufferfish hat to support her dad’s fish restaurant… but to his surprise, she’s decided her dinner is just too cute to eat. She wants to take it home as a pet instead!
"Let's take my dinner home, it's too cute!”
A Palette Full of Chameleons
Climbing out of the ocean and onto land, we find another species to compare: the chameleon! When the LEGO chameleon first arrived, I couldn’t resist experimenting with its color and changing it to red. But I couldn’t stop and wanted to see it in all the colors!
Now that LEGO has released several versions of the chameleon in various colors, I love incorporating them into scenes where emotion and environment are connected through color. And they match their environment!
“Family Argument”
Custom animals and official LEGO elements each offer something unique, but together, they open up new possibilities for storytelling through photography. Whether you’re working in clay, brick, or digital renders, these animals bring scenes to life in imaginative ways.
Do you blend custom and official LEGO parts in your photography? Let us know in the comments below!
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