Photography Tips – Gunpla Builders World Cup Prep Series Part 5

By Rosie _Custom_Gunpla

on Aug 6, 2025

You have built your Gunpla Builders World Cup (GBWC) entry, now it's time to capture it like one! Photographing your entry can be the difference when judging your build. With both online and offline entries, good photos can make all the difference.

GBWC has strict guidelines on the photo submissions that you need to pay attention to:

All images must be in JPEG format.
Image size must not exceed 4,000 pixels on any side.
The submitted work must maintain the same pose. While changes in pose during photography will not result in immediate disqualification, they will not be considered for additional points.
Refrain from image editing or modifications that alter the impression of the work, except for brightness adjustments and cropping.
Refrain from using generative AI for image editing, background settings, or any modifications.

You’ll also have to take 5 photos for judging - front, back, left, right and an appealing shot. If you are completing the online entry, this will be what your submission will be judged on. The offline entries will be judged during the GBWC event.

This blog will cover gear, setup and tips on getting good photos that assist in showing off your masterful creation.

You Don't Need a DSLR (but it does help)

I don't have a DSLR camera; all of my photos come from a smartphone (so far). It can be a steep learning curve, but you can improve your photos with practice. The conditions that you need to monitor are stability, lighting and a backdrop.

Starting with a neutral background is key to your entry. Depending on the colour scheme of your entry, a white or black backdrop will help capture the details and effort you have put into your Gunpla. Some cardboard can be better than fabric if you have it.

Getting stable shots will also help highlight your entry. You will likely need to crop your entry once the photo is taken, so getting a stable tripod or consistent height when taking your photos can help. Most phones now have a level when taking photos to assist with this, so tripods aren't essential.

Lighting is the final piece of the puzzle and can make a large difference depending on where you are taking your photos. Diffused LED lights are highly recommended to help remove shadows and highlight the work you have done for your entry

Sometimes two lights can assist so you get consistent lighting for your entry. Light boxes are also good options if you are looking for consistency.

My advice is not to leave the photos till the last minute either. Take the time to get the photos with the right lighting and be happy with your entry display.

Lighting Your Gunpla

Lighting can be one of the biggest influencing factors on getting the right shots of your work. There is little to no editing of the images allowed, so working on this element can really make a big difference.

I recommend diffused LED lighting and having two available if possible. This will help remove any unwanted shadows on your model that can hide details you want to show off. Placing the lights at a 45 degree angle on the left and right of the model, slightly above it, has given me some fantastic results.

As you are using the LED lights to remove shadows, make sure you avoid direct flashes when taking your photos. It will wash out your details and cause a lot of glare in the photo.

A final tip about the lighting is actually the finish you have on your gunpla. A lot of builders utilise a Matte Top coat on their models to assist in minimising glare and reflections. It’s not essential, but it definitely helps.

Posing and Framing for GBWC

Getting the right poses to show off the work of your kit and tell the story you're wishing to portray is always a challenge. But even the slightest change in pose can take your gunpla photography to the next level.

There are many posing guides available to replicate with a quick search. The poses displayed on the gunpla box, in the gunpla building manual and of course, online searches. Posing can be taken from many areas as well, your favourite anime, movie or TV shows all have areas for inspiration.

The only limiting factors will be your kit's articulation and any stands or props that you may want or need to pull off the pose you wish.

Once you settle on a pose, it's time to get your shots. You'll be getting a front, back, left, right and dynamic pose for the judging. It’s important to show the full build clearly in at least one shot. You also have the option for additional shots, a total of 10, that can be used to capture the modifications, weathering or other details that you have added to your gunpla.

I advise you to take the shots just below eye level of your gunpla to give added presence in the shots, and try to show off a dynamic pose to highlight articulation and balance in your kit.

Remember to pay attention to the photography guidelines listed above to ensure you get the right shots for your entry.

Posing and Framing for GBWC

The aim of GBWC is to show off your gunpla build with an element of storytelling. With that in mind, I'd like to share some tips I have learned over the last few years with my entries.

The rule of thirds is worth paying attention to. Sometimes it can be best not to centre every shot on your Gunpla; instead, you can try to lead the viewer's eye to a weapon or diorama detail to enhance the story.

Negative space is also a good technique to pay attention to. It’s important not to crowd the frame and allow your model space to shine. A black or white background with the gunpla posed in front of it makes storytelling a lot easier.

Play around with depth, sometimes close shots are useful and sometimes shooting a little further back can highlight detail better than a straight shot.

If you are including a diorama, it’s important to ensure the gunpla still stands out in the scene. When done well, these become amazing works that are remembered into the future.

Editing and File Preparation

Once you have your photos, it’s important to prepare them for submission. The guidelines at the start of this blog highlight what can be done. Minor lighting adjustments and cropping are allowed.

No editing to change colours, hide flaws in the build or add effects is permitted. The photos need to represent the actual model submission, not a stylised photo or representation of your entry.

Export the images in the highest resolution possible that won't exceed the size limits for submission and name them clearly to assist submission and judging, for exampl,e “Your Name - GBWC - Front.JPG”

Sharp, well lit photos will let your build shine and meet GBWC criteria. I encourage you all to treat this as the final step in your build and give it as much attention as your Gunpla build.

I hope you have enjoyed this 5 part series preparing for GBWC and have learned or used some new skills to push your builds to be your best. I look forward to seeing everyone's entries this year and enjoying the festival for GBWC.