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Mini cameras

Concept collectible series · five eras of the camera

Five cameras a century apart, from a 1920s box camera to a 2000s compact digital. The job was to make five very different objects read as one collectible set.

Role
Design, modelling, rendering
Category
Collectible minis
Built in
Blender, Cycles
Type
Personal project

Overview

A concept for a collectible series of miniature cameras, one for each era of photography: a 1920s box camera, a 1970s SLR, a 1980s instant camera, a 1990s disposable and a 2000s compact digital.

The range

One series, five eras

Five very different objects, made to read as one set.

The five cameras front-on in a row, showing them at one shared scale
The box camera: black leatherette, a winding key on the side and a strap handle on top The SLR: chrome top plate, black leatherette body, prism hump and a knurled lens The instant camera: flash bar on top, lens in a black face, a coral band and a print half out The disposable: black grip and a green and yellow printed wrap The compact digital: rounded silver body and a telescoping lens

Rendering

Materials and light

Rendered in Cycles, with custom material setups for the different looks of plastic: glossy shells, textured leatherette and chrome-finish trim.

Five miniature cameras in a row on a white sweep, in era order: a box camera, an SLR, an instant camera, a disposable and a compact digital
The five cameras tumbling into place, mid-animation
The lineup from behind, showing the backs of the five cameras