Jesse Feyereisen, a Platypod Pro, shares his captivating toy photography featuring the infamous Joker, inspired by the iconic line, “Dance With The Devil On A Pale Moonlight,” reminiscent of the 1989 Batman movie. For fans of the Burton/Keaton/Nicholson classic, this behind-the-scenes look reveals a simple yet effective setup to bring the Clown Prince of Crime to life in stunning detail.
Using a 6” Jack Nicholson Joker figure from Beast Kingdom, Jesse constructed a striking scene with minimal elements. A clean black backdrop sets the stage, while a Godox AD200 with a snoot, positioned overhead, acts as the key light. Two additional AD200 units with strip boxes provide subtle fill, sculpting the figure and adding depth. To create an atmosphere of chaotic energy befitting the Joker, smoke was introduced using a Ulanzi fog machine, swirling around the figure and enhancing the dramatic mood.
For precise control and perspective, Jesse employed the Platypod Handle and Platyball Elite Ballhead. The Handle allowed him to achieve varying heights, capturing shots from dynamic angles, while the Platyball Elite ensured perfectly level compositions thanks to its integrated leveling system. This combination of Platypod gear provided stability and flexibility, crucial for capturing the perfect shot.
In post-processing, Jesse blended two separate smoke images with a blank plate in Photoshop, achieving a seamless and ethereal smoke effect. The final touches were applied in Lightroom, where he processed, color graded, and cropped the image to its final, impactful form. This meticulous post-processing refined the image, ensuring it captured the essence of the Joker’s chaotic and theatrical persona, a character who might just “dance with the devil on a pale moonlight.”
Explore more of Jesse Feyereisen’s toy photography on his Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jessefeyereisen/ and website https://www.jessefphotography.com/.
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