Kitana Wins

One of my favorite Mortal Kombat photos I've ever taken.

Using the McFarlane figures, a pair of posing stands, and blood splatter effects from the Storm Collectibles Kintaro, I recreated a Fatality in progress. Combined with one of my custom printed backgrounds, the final image has the cinematic brutality I was aiming for.

But getting this shot wasn't as simple as snapping a picture. Today, I want to take you behind the scenes and show you exactly how I created this brutal, cinematic moment.

 

🎯 THE VISION

When I first got my hands on the McFarlane Toys Mortal Kombat line, I knew I wanted to do something special with them. These aren't just action figures – they're incredibly detailed pieces of art that deserve equally impressive photography.

My goal was simple but ambitious: capture the raw energy and violence that makes Mortal Kombat iconic, while still creating something visually stunning enough to hang on a wall.

Kitana was the perfect subject. Elegant yet deadly. Her fan blades and royal assassin aesthetic translate beautifully to dramatic lighting scenarios.

🛠️ THE GEAR I USED

Here's everything that went into making this shot happen:

**The Figure:**

- McFarlane Toys Mortal Kombat 7" Scale Kitana Figure

- The detail on these figures is insane – from the fabric textures to the facial sculpt

**Support Equipment:**

- Pair of adjustable posing stands (essential for dynamic mid-air poses!)

- These are a game-changer for action figure photography

**Effects & Props:**

- Blood splatter effects (repurposed from my Storm Collectibles Kintoro figure)

- Don't be afraid to borrow parts from other figures!

- Custom printed background (more on this below!)

📸 THE SETUP PROCESS

Step 1: Background Selection

I used one of my custom printed backgrounds – specifically designed to look like a dark, atmospheric arena environment. The key is finding a background that doesn't distract from the figure but adds depth and mood.

Pro tip: I print mine on matte photo paper to avoid glare from your lights.

Step 2: Posing the Figure

This is where those posing stands became essential. I wanted Kitana in that iconic fatality pose – mid-air, fans extended, delivering the final blow.

Getting the angle right took about 20 minutes of minor adjustments. The posing stands let me tilt her body forward, extend one leg back, and position her arms in that perfect execution stance.

Patience is everything here. Keep tweaking until it looks natural, not like a toy frozen in place.

Step 3: Adding the Blood Effects

Here's where the Kintoro blood splatters came in. I carefully positioned them around Kitana's fans and in the "impact zone" to suggest recent carnage.

Less is more with blood effects – you want to imply violence, not create a mess. Three well-placed splatters tell the story better than twenty random ones.

Step 4: Lighting the Scene

For this shot, I used Ulanzi camera lights I purchased from a local Walmart. The goal was harsh, theatrical lighting that matches the Mortal Kombat aesthetic.

I wanted deep shadows and bright highlights – that contrast that makes MK visuals so striking.

Step 5: The Final Composition

After about 20 minutes of setup, I had my composition locked in. Kitana suspended in motion, blood frozen mid-splash, arena background setting the mood.

📷 BEHIND THE SCENES: THE SETUP SHOT

This is what it actually looked like before the magic happened.

Notice the posing stands holding Kitana in position? The scattered props? The lighting rig? This is the unglamorous reality behind every professional-looking toy photo.

I always take a behind-the-scenes shot because:

1. It shows the WORK that goes into toy photography

2. Other creators love seeing the process

3. It's honest about the craft

💡 LESSONS LEARNED

Creating this shot taught me several things:

**Posing Stands Are Non-Negotiable**

If you're serious about action figure photography, invest in good posing stands. They open up poses you simply cannot achieve with figures alone.

**Custom Backgrounds Change Everything**

Printing my own backgrounds gave me complete control over the environment. No more hunting for the perfect wall or backdrop – I create exactly what I need.

**Borrow From Your Collection**

Those blood effects came from a completely different figure. Your entire collection is a prop library. Use it!

**Take Your Time with Posing**

Rushing the setup phase shows in the final image. I spent longer positioning the figure than I did actually taking pictures.

**Lighting Creates Mood**

The same figure looks completely different under different light. Experiment until you find the emotional tone you want.

Looking at the finished image, I'm still proud of how it turned out. It captures everything I love about Mortal Kombat:

- The brutality ✅

- The elegance ✅  

- The cinematic quality ✅

- The attention to detail ✅

It's violent but beautiful. Chaotic but composed. Exactly what I was going for.

🎮 WHAT'S NEXT?

I'm already planning my next Mortal Kombat photoshoot. Maybe Sub-Zero this time? Or a multi-figure battle scene?

Drop a comment below – which MK character should I photograph next? And what kind of scene should I create?

What did you think of this behind-the-scenes breakdown? Let me know if you want to see more process posts like this!