In the first part of this series, we explored the intersection of custom-made elements and official LEGO parts, highlighting how our fun homegrown solutions often predated the arrival of official counterparts. That creative comparison sparked even more ideas, and now it’s time to continue our journey into how both custom and official LEGO accessories can work together to elevate our builds—and our photographs.
Let’s dive into more side-by-side examples of creative evolution, where sculpted accessories and new LEGO elements combine to tell even more vivid stories.
Birds of a Feather
Starting with some multicultural attributes, what’s a sweeping savannah scene without a majestic eagle soaring overhead? I originally sculpted this big bird specially for travel and adventure photos since they play a great role in the formation of the right mood and atmosphere. Imagine my joy when LEGO introduced its own dynamic eagle element!
How to use both
The official LEGO eagle works wonderfully when positioned farther from the minifigure, giving a sense of scale and distance making it look smaller from the minifigure’s point of view. It’s perfect for scenic shots where the bird appears mid-flight. This soaring LEGO bird has many fun possibilities for the adventure and traveling shots!
Toys for Tiny Builders
LEGO babies and kids bring such charm to scenes with their joyful faces and fun colorful clothes. I created this toy rocking horse just for them. I sculpted it when the LEGO babies were just released and I realized just how light they were—light enough to go for a ride in some equestrian games!
When the official rocking horse appeared in our collections through the CMF series, the baby’s elder brothers and sisters got a new wonderful toy. How did it handle the weights of the minifigs?
How to use both
Surprise! Even Daddy (a standard minifig) managed to ride my custom horse without ANY supporting element! That makes both horses perfect for family photo setups, giving each generation their own ride. We can use both rocking horses as different variants of this fun toy so everyone in the LEGO family can participate.
Ocean Explorers
There’s something magical about underwater scenes. As our LEGO diver descends into the deep, I’ve often imagined them discovering rare fish and mysterious coral. For a long time, these creatures came from my own sculpting studio.
But the ocean of official LEGO elements keeps growing!
How to use both
The water is full of both big and tiny creatures, so it’s a great example of how to combine custom and official LEGO elements. Official LEGO fish and coral can serve as decorations for a shop, concert stage, or cartoon scene. It has even been used for a tree! Dive deep and let your creativity swim free!
High-Flying Drones
When travel photography took off (literally), I knew my minifigures needed their own drones. So I sculpted one just the right size for action-packed snapshots on the go. I was so excited when the official LEGO drone element came out as a part of the CMF line too. Now our minifigure friends can take amazing adventure photos and video no matter where they are in the LEGO world!
How to use both
The love of LEGO ands passion for engineering devices often live together in an AFOL’s heart. It’s so fun and creative to use different kinds of drones to show both a kid with a toy or a curious adult with serious, professional photo equipment exploring the world.
Before and After
Once again, we find that there’s no need to choose between custom and official elements. Both approaches enrich creativity in the LEGO world, especially when they’re used together. Official LEGO elements often validate the ideas we once sculpted ourselves, while custom creations continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, giving birth to new technique and new ideas that take LEO to the next level.
So keep building, keep photographing, and stay tuned for more creative comparisons in this ongoing “before and after” journey.
Have you ever mixed new, old or custom parts to get the shot you wanted? Let us know in the comments below!
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