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DST 25th Anniversary - Toy Photography Contest

DST 25th Anniversary - Toy Photography Contest

Posted by DSTJessie on Apr 8th 2024

Calling all collectors! Join us in celebrating 25 years of Diamond Select Toys with our 25th Anniversary Toy Photography Contest! Show off your creativity and passion by capturing the essence of your favorite action figures, statues, busts, minimates, and more! With 25 years of toys production under our belt, from Marvel Selects, Minimates, Mini Busts, Premier Collection Statues, Gallery Dioramas, and more, we want to see your most imaginative shots!

The contest will run for two weeks starting April 8th, with submissions closing on April 21st, 2024. Throughout the contest, we'll be featuring some of our favorite entries on the DST Instagram account with the hashtag #DST25th or #DSTToyPhotography. Positive fan support and love for your favorite images is encouraged!

 

HOW TO ENTER

It’s easy! Upload your digital photo(s) to the contest form.

Any submissions after April 21st at 11:59 p.m. EST may not be accepted by our judges.

Multiple submissions are acceptable.

Make sure to read the Official Rules below before you upload your photo(s) submission! By submitting to the contest, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.

    • All participants will be added to the Diamond Select Toys Newsletter list. By submitting your photography, you are consenting to receiving promotional material via email from Diamond Select Toys. You can check out our Privacy Policy here. You can unsubscribe at any time.
    • You must be 18 years or older to participate in the Minimates Photography contest.
    • We will not permit submissions of innately political, violent, or controversial images. Any that are submitted, will be disqualified.
    • We will be accepting shots of Gentle Giant LTD items from the last few years and any Diamond Select Toys items from the last 25 years.
    • Multiple entries may be submitted, however, a single entrant will only be eligible for one prize.
    • Winners will be selected and notified following the contest. If the entrant does not respond within 5 business days, the runner up will be chosen in their place.
    • By submitting your photos into the contest, you are allowing Diamond Select Toys to use your images for promotional material regarding the contest.
ENTER YOUR SUBMISSIONS NOW

Photos taken by DSTZach - a longtime collector and lover of Minimates

WHAT ARE THE JUDGING CRITERIA?

REALISM: Is your photo just a picture of a Minimate standing in a display case, or is it interacting with the environment?

CREATIVITY & IMAGINATION: Sparks, smoke, camera effects, something else? What can you do with simple camera tricks or accessories to enhance your photo? Can you tell a story with your photo or how you pose your Minimates? Recreate your favorite battle scenes or make up your own!

PHOTOSHOP: Using Photoshop effects, such as color correction and light retouching, is acceptable. However, as this is a photography contest, submissions with heavy photo effects and edits will be disqualified.

Examples from past contests.

 

HOW WILL THE JUDGING WORK?

We’ll review every photo that gets submitted by the April 21st deadline. We encourage anyone with a camera - whether it be a phone or a professional camera - to participate! While we are looking for quality photos, we also will consider a photo with exceptional creativity over camera quality! Winners will be announced at the end of the contest based on the following categories:

 

CATEGORIES & PRIZES:

BEST SINGLE PRODUCT SHOT: This category will feature single product shots with a focus on capturing the personality and essence of individual characters through close-up portraits and individual action shots of the character being portayed.

BEST GROUP SHOT: This category will feature at least 2 or more collectibles and can include team shots, recreated battle scenes, realistic action sequences, pop-culture mash-ups, etc. Creativity in posing, composition, and storytelling is highly encouraged.

BEST LIGHTING/EFFECTS: This category will feature product shots that experiment with different lighting techniques, such as natural light, artificial light sources, props, and special effects, to create mood, atmosphere, and drama in your images.

Prizes include:

    • Choice of 2x In Stock Action Figures (Not including SW Jumbos)
    • Choice of 1x In Stock Gallery Diorama
    • Choice of 1x In Stock Star Wars or Marvel Mini Bust
    • $100 store credit