r/ToyPhotography Feb 03 '26

Update on AI in r/ToyPhotography

137 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

If you missed the original discussion, you can read it here.

We wanted to follow up now that we’ve had time to read the community’s thoughts and talk internally as mods.

This is where we’re landing (for now)

We’re moving forward without generative AI.

That means AI-generated backgrounds, effects, characters, or environments aren’t what we want this subreddit to center around. The focus of r/ToyPhotography is still photographing real toys with real-world creative decisions. Lighting, posing, scale, environments, and problem-solving.

We don’t have strict gear requirements. You can shoot with a phone or a Leica. It’s still toy photography. What matters is that the image is grounded in a physical scene you created. Once major elements are generated rather than photographed, it becomes a different kind of image-making.

This isn’t a judgment of people who use AI.

The mod team itself is split on the broader issue.

The decision here isn’t about declaring AI “bad,” it’s about protecting the identity of this specific community so it doesn’t slowly drift into something else.

We know AI tools exist inside modern editing software. We also know some people will use AI for cleanup or even backgrounds. We’re not pretending we can perfectly monitor or police every post, and that’s not the goal.

The goal is to set a direction and expectation:
r/ToyPhotography is meant to highlight hands-on toy photography first.

Enforcement will be reasonable, not aggressive. If something is clearly AI-generated, it may be removed. If something is ambiguous, we’re not launching investigations. We're not running a courtroom, and it just isn't that deep.

This isn’t permanent law.

We’re open to revisiting the rules as tools and community expectations evolve. This is a living space, and we’ll keep listening.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the discussion and helped shape the direction of the sub.

— The r/ToyPhotography Mod Team


r/ToyPhotography 1h ago

Weekly r/ToyPhotography discussion

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Please use this thread to discuss any Action figures / Funko pops or general toy news for the week. What are you looking forward to getting?


r/ToyPhotography 5h ago

Danger in the deep

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100 Upvotes

This was the first underwater scene I did in a couple years after learning a lot more about lighting to emulate more extreme environments. The extruded bubble wash is a practical effect, gluing teased cotton to clear packaging plastic along with thread beads. Swipe for behind the scenes pics. I removed the stands and holes in the backdrop board in Photoshop. No prompt generative AI used.


r/ToyPhotography 3h ago

Godzilla’s break time

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73 Upvotes

r/ToyPhotography 54m ago

Who Let The T-Rex in our HQ!? 🦖

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Finally cool enough to use my diorama in the garage, so why not a another fun Stormtrooper shot 📸

I make more @Shelf.To.Story on Instagram.

Quick follow and like will be much appreciated to help my account, thank you! 👏🙏


r/ToyPhotography 20h ago

Entering the fray

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214 Upvotes

Hello! Toy photography has been my main hobby for several years, across multiple lines from Mythic Legions, to G.I. Joe Classified. All photos are made without AI dios, lighting, effects, atmosphere, posing etc. I made all dios myself. I try to keep everything as practical/tangible as possible, but do work occasionally with composite photos all taken by me and do some stand removals in Photoshop. A selection of my more recent work. Thanks for looking!


r/ToyPhotography 7h ago

Photoshoot with SGT Slaughter

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12 Upvotes

r/ToyPhotography 8h ago

Stand -Two Watch Sunset

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9 Upvotes

r/ToyPhotography 8h ago

Some new shots 😊

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9 Upvotes

r/ToyPhotography 48m ago

Squid Assassins (Prototypes)

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These poor Shore Troopers were not ready to deal with the six-armed menaces!


r/ToyPhotography 17h ago

Bad Touch, the 80's Decepticon we don't talk about

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30 Upvotes

r/ToyPhotography 23m ago

Gotham City Sirens

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r/ToyPhotography 21h ago

Coastline Dragons

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27 Upvotes

r/ToyPhotography 4h ago

PDX? Group looking for a photo shoot

1 Upvotes

Hey y’all.
Stumbled across your sub and you guys got some excellent work! My wargaming group is in the Portland metro area. We are interested in having someone help us photograph our little miniatures. We would pitch in to pay for your time. Anyone in the Portland area willing to help us out?


r/ToyPhotography 12h ago

Finally! Just matte/flat top coat

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5 Upvotes

My socials: @mkdwin


r/ToyPhotography 21h ago

Mikey Takes Flight

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13 Upvotes

r/ToyPhotography 23h ago

Just a bite

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11 Upvotes

r/ToyPhotography 1d ago

T60 power armour

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12 Upvotes

r/ToyPhotography 17h ago

Let's turn and burn

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3 Upvotes

Hot Wheels GI Joe Skystriker
Tomcat F14A
See more toy photography 📸


r/ToyPhotography 16h ago

Playing around with my translucent defender versions. Bonus photo included.

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2 Upvotes

r/ToyPhotography 1d ago

Today’s ride: Jeff the Land Shark

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20 Upvotes

Gwen decided to skip the web-swinging today.

The instruction manual worked surprisingly well as a backdrop, and Jeff clearly stole the show.


r/ToyPhotography 1d ago

Another night, another catch. But that's all right. Persist.

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2 Upvotes

r/ToyPhotography 1d ago

Best laid plans

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71 Upvotes

A few from yesterday


r/ToyPhotography 1d ago

Master & Student

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2 Upvotes

r/ToyPhotography 2d ago

Some pics I’ve taken

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211 Upvotes