[Tony_Bacala]

Haha, thanks. I appreciate the feedback, but I was really unhappy with this round of stuff. Like single shots per set came out solid, but overall felt off. I just shot DB so much in a row I had to call it a day. Most were already late as it was.

As far as tips for shooting, it really depends on where you are in the journey so far. Basics I'd suggest:

Good camera, preferably one you can change lenses with.

A good macro lens for it.

Shoot in manual mode. Learn how to control it. Specifically the exposure "triangle" - Shutter Speed, ISO, Aperture.

Lights - have many. Large ones with soft boxes or some form of big diffusion of them, and then smaller more precise lights. Be able to control the location, distance, intensity of each individually.

Posing - that's just practice. I'm still practicing myself .

Posing in air - Get stands, and or wire coat hangers, or stands made of wire coat hangar materials, learn to remove them in Photoshop.

Shoot RAW. Gives you more control for editing.

Editing - Use Lightroom and/or Photoshop, or find something similar you are comfortable with. But Lightroom and Photoshop are the industry standard and worth the cost if serious. I use Lightroom and try to never go into Photoshop unless necessary.

Watch youtube videos on studio lighting, product photography, portrait photography, fashion photography. The techniques they go over in those will be different, but toy photography uses elements from them all. Pick the ones that work from each and add to your arsenal.

Get a big desk area if possible, dedicated to this. I use a 5 by 5 foot area, with light stands on each side. Try to shoot with the camera on the desk, using a mini tripod or no tripod and just stabilizing it. Allows for more freedom with angles. (Not all will agree with this).

That's a lot, so do your homework and I'll see you in a couple years for the 102 class.