Photographers who use similar context in their work.

 Photographers who use toy solders and models to convey themes such as war and history are not huge. However, I have come across a few. For the purpose of identifying with other photographers, I will illustrate their work. The photographer who I respect for his use of lighting to convey mood is  Simon Brann Thorpe. 

Toy Solders (2012) is an allegory conflict and war. The color of the fatigues is brown and is geared for desert warfare. There is no identity in the solders, they are all generic and part of a collective. The individual does not exist in this bleak environment. Any visual representation of an individual solder is to inform the viewer of the phycological effects of war. 

                           Bing images.

According to Thorpe "Toy Soldiers' is a multi facetted allegory of modern warfare, it's narrative investigates the impact and psychological consequences of the invisibility and the de-humanizing effects of war. It explores the paradigm of post colonial conflict and through our cultural notions of freedom, nationhood and entertainment, 'Toy Soldiers' attempts to create a dialogue via the viewing of modern conflict as war games seen through the conflict in Western Sahara"

Simon Brann Thorpe - Toy Soldiers | World Photography Organisation

Another photographer who creates images from miniature solder etc. is David Levinthal. His work takes on a cultural identity and is strongly influenced by his childhood, growing up in 1950s America. At this time, society was influenced by ideas of how the west was won and cowboys. Levinthal uses toys to reinforce American culture and identity. He also uses toy solders in scenes from WW2 in his work.

                                           Bing images

His work is explained at   David Levinthal: Photographs 1972–2016 (October 14, 2017–February 19, 2018) | The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (mfah.org)   " Through the iconography of mass-produced toys, dolls, and figurines, Levinthal’s photographs have probed the myth of the American West; World War II and the Holocaust; romantic and sexual desire; racial stereotyping; the heroism of sport; and the futuristic fantasy of space exploration. The images range from intimately scaled prints, to large 20-by-24-inch Polaroids, to monumental inkjet prints"       

Both photographer use toys to illustrate themes of identity (both individual and cultural) the legacy of war and historical perspectives. Thorpe's work is centered around the effects war has on the individual and how it is glorified.

  Above My image of British Troops during the Anglo Zulu Wars.

                

My image Chelsea Pensioner. 

David Levinthal's work uses a variety of ways to disseminate ideas of American culture from the 1940s onward. His work deals with World War Two and a period he grew up in-the 1950s. He is clearly sentimental of this time but also raises issues such as cultural identity, imperialist aspirations of the Americans during the 19th century fighting Indians and the role of the male in American society. 

I see links in my work in dealing with an inflamed period and using toy solders and models to illustrate this. 

Both photographers use the websites to disseminate their work. David Levinthals work has been published in a book that uses images and text to convey a message about war.

Levinthal also explores the concept of history through using toys in his book History. In the book, he uses the same book format as War, Myth and Desire. 

                    eBay image.