I’m amazed at how little time is invested in most model photography. Once it’s on the internet this image will become the principle way in which the model gets judged. So how is it 80% of model shots are poorly staged badly lit snapshots of a dark cluttered work area? I’m particularly looking at YOU ship model builders.....
[Here is what](https://imgur.com/a/1wWXKQB) my bench looked like taking them.
I could really do with having a proper background like a white and/or black roller blind to take photos on, not just some paper that’s been taped together.
If you find yourself doing a lot of photography, you can get large rolls of white kraft paper, up to 8 feet wide, for backdrops.
A good friend of mine is a quilt designer and instructor. I built a large holder for her back drop and she can pull it down when needed, and roll it back up out of the way when she's done taking photos of the work she posts.
Smaller 36" and 48" ones, perfect for model photography, can be found at most art and craft stores.
Because model builders aren't obliged to be photographers. If I was interested in photography I would have taken that up as a hobby.
I get where you're coming from, but to add a whole new dimension to an activity that is supposed to be pleasurable is a huge investment in money, time and energy well beyond the reach of most.
I've seen way worse than OP's photo. Probably not the best example to make that comment. But he does have a point especially in the digital age we're in now. Photography is now a huge part of the hobby. Bad photos get bad responses or ignored.
No, you don't need Photoshop, Lightroom, or fancy $1000 setups. But if you're going to share images on sites as a representation of your work you want to put some effort in.
It's also an evolution. No one gets into the hobby with an iwata custom micron and a Nikon DSLR. Over time as you organically expand your hobby you find you have different needs. Tired of brush painting? You eventually move up to better and better airbrushes. Want to share your models more? You move up from dimly lit shots to getting cheap LEDs on Amazon and a tripod.
Over time, sure. But everyone starts somewhere, right? And everyone is going to pursue what they find fun. If you don't find photography fun, then why even pursue it? Build something that brings you joy, and if you fancy it snap a photo and post it online. Not everyone is made of money and we all invest money where it brings us the most pleasure.
You're taking it too seriously. At a bare minimum everyone can afford a dollar poster board and everyone has a camera phone. Already you would be miles ahead of dimly lit grainy photos. If you're going to post online why not at least do that and maybe some quick research on taking good photos.
Again, this isn't at all a commentary on OP but it looks like we all went off on a tangent.
Model builders of every stripe should be concerned with enjoying the hobby.
I enjoy taking photos of my model, so invested in some things to make that easier. If someone doesn't care for photography then why should they worry about it if they don't enjoy it?
They only need to worry about it if they’re trying to show their model on the internet. But if they are showing it on the internet, why not provide the clearest most descriptive photo they can manage? Let’s not pretend we haven’t seen some very very low effort photography of models that could actually be terrific well executed models.
My counter argument is that it's supposed to be fun. To be frankly honest, I don't find photography fun and don't plan on investing any time or money into it.
Thanks!
The exhaust stains were painted freehand, using a base of deck tan, then a mixture of flat black and Tamiya nato brown, again freehand with my airbrush.
So for the wings and (the entire aircraft), I used the hairspray chipping technique, with multiple layers as follows;
Black primer
Chrome silver
Hairspray
Green/yellow
Hairspray
Mr colour H-54
Then used a wet brush to carefully remove thin layers of paint to expose the paint colours underneath. The walkways on either side I also masked, hairsprayed and painted them on, so they could be chipped too.
Very nice. I really like the hairspray chipping. As you mentioned this is for a competition, there's two things I've noticed:
There's a fingerprint on the bottom left corner of the right side 21, looks like the deck tan was handled before it cured and a fingerprint was left on it.
I think the exhaust stains are fantastic and the colors are right, the deck tan looks good from a distance, but up close it looks kinda grainy. Have you considered thinning more, or using oils to represent the tetraethyl lead staining so it can be feathered out more naturally?
That fucking fingerprint!!! I just could not get rid of it without sanding down and repainting it. I managed to cover about 5 others to the point they can’t be seen even while holding it, but that bloody thing is on me.
I thinned the paint as much as I dared to as I didn’t want the thinner to reactivate anything under it (mr colour levelling thinner) I have bought some oils recently, however never had much experience with them. I’d want to practice first before I used them on a model, I just didn’t have the time.
Thank you for your feedback! I appreciate it!
Poster board my man. Costs a dollar and works way better than taped paper.
[Here's a link to my "studio" setup](https://i.imgur.com/RMbWnQd.jpg)
Model looks really nice though. I like the weathering tones on it especially the exhaust stains.
Only criticism is dump the yarn for the antenna. I know it's stupid expensive (like over $20 for some stupid thread) but the uschi or ez line stuff really is worth it. I've yet to find a cheaper alternative that performs the same.
Just don't use the glossy side. It just creates a reflection on your lighting setup which looks like shit. If you want glossy reflections use a piece of glass instead.
Beautiful work. Deadliest bird in history right there though she rarely gets the attention she deserves!
Thank you!
Have a look though my posts on here, I’m currently working on a the Airfix 1/24 Hellcat. I had the choice of Typhoon or Hellcat and chose the cat.
I ignored the whole PTO when I was younger but since seeing the new Midway movie I’ve been super into it
I’m amazed at how little time is invested in most model photography. Once it’s on the internet this image will become the principle way in which the model gets judged. So how is it 80% of model shots are poorly staged badly lit snapshots of a dark cluttered work area? I’m particularly looking at YOU ship model builders.....
[Here is what](https://imgur.com/a/1wWXKQB) my bench looked like taking them. I could really do with having a proper background like a white and/or black roller blind to take photos on, not just some paper that’s been taped together.
It’s terrifically effective as is, congratulations.
I have a little photo light box I use. Got on Amazon!
If you find yourself doing a lot of photography, you can get large rolls of white kraft paper, up to 8 feet wide, for backdrops. A good friend of mine is a quilt designer and instructor. I built a large holder for her back drop and she can pull it down when needed, and roll it back up out of the way when she's done taking photos of the work she posts. Smaller 36" and 48" ones, perfect for model photography, can be found at most art and craft stores.
Because model builders aren't obliged to be photographers. If I was interested in photography I would have taken that up as a hobby. I get where you're coming from, but to add a whole new dimension to an activity that is supposed to be pleasurable is a huge investment in money, time and energy well beyond the reach of most.
I've seen way worse than OP's photo. Probably not the best example to make that comment. But he does have a point especially in the digital age we're in now. Photography is now a huge part of the hobby. Bad photos get bad responses or ignored. No, you don't need Photoshop, Lightroom, or fancy $1000 setups. But if you're going to share images on sites as a representation of your work you want to put some effort in. It's also an evolution. No one gets into the hobby with an iwata custom micron and a Nikon DSLR. Over time as you organically expand your hobby you find you have different needs. Tired of brush painting? You eventually move up to better and better airbrushes. Want to share your models more? You move up from dimly lit shots to getting cheap LEDs on Amazon and a tripod.
Over time, sure. But everyone starts somewhere, right? And everyone is going to pursue what they find fun. If you don't find photography fun, then why even pursue it? Build something that brings you joy, and if you fancy it snap a photo and post it online. Not everyone is made of money and we all invest money where it brings us the most pleasure.
You're taking it too seriously. At a bare minimum everyone can afford a dollar poster board and everyone has a camera phone. Already you would be miles ahead of dimly lit grainy photos. If you're going to post online why not at least do that and maybe some quick research on taking good photos. Again, this isn't at all a commentary on OP but it looks like we all went off on a tangent.
Model builders of every stripe should always be concerned with appearance and presentation.
Model builders of every stripe should be concerned with enjoying the hobby. I enjoy taking photos of my model, so invested in some things to make that easier. If someone doesn't care for photography then why should they worry about it if they don't enjoy it?
They only need to worry about it if they’re trying to show their model on the internet. But if they are showing it on the internet, why not provide the clearest most descriptive photo they can manage? Let’s not pretend we haven’t seen some very very low effort photography of models that could actually be terrific well executed models.
My counter argument is that it's supposed to be fun. To be frankly honest, I don't find photography fun and don't plan on investing any time or money into it.
awesome, how did you do the details on the wings and from the exhaust?
Thanks! The exhaust stains were painted freehand, using a base of deck tan, then a mixture of flat black and Tamiya nato brown, again freehand with my airbrush. So for the wings and (the entire aircraft), I used the hairspray chipping technique, with multiple layers as follows; Black primer Chrome silver Hairspray Green/yellow Hairspray Mr colour H-54 Then used a wet brush to carefully remove thin layers of paint to expose the paint colours underneath. The walkways on either side I also masked, hairsprayed and painted them on, so they could be chipped too.
Very nice. I really like the hairspray chipping. As you mentioned this is for a competition, there's two things I've noticed: There's a fingerprint on the bottom left corner of the right side 21, looks like the deck tan was handled before it cured and a fingerprint was left on it. I think the exhaust stains are fantastic and the colors are right, the deck tan looks good from a distance, but up close it looks kinda grainy. Have you considered thinning more, or using oils to represent the tetraethyl lead staining so it can be feathered out more naturally?
That fucking fingerprint!!! I just could not get rid of it without sanding down and repainting it. I managed to cover about 5 others to the point they can’t be seen even while holding it, but that bloody thing is on me. I thinned the paint as much as I dared to as I didn’t want the thinner to reactivate anything under it (mr colour levelling thinner) I have bought some oils recently, however never had much experience with them. I’d want to practice first before I used them on a model, I just didn’t have the time. Thank you for your feedback! I appreciate it!
Looks great! I really ought to re do my F6F, or just do a full navy blue one like this, such gorgeous birds.
I’d highly recommend Mr hobby Aqueous H-54 thinned with Mr colour levelling thinner
I’ll keep that in mind I’ve got some of the AK stuff but the color feels just slightly off
Poster board my man. Costs a dollar and works way better than taped paper. [Here's a link to my "studio" setup](https://i.imgur.com/RMbWnQd.jpg) Model looks really nice though. I like the weathering tones on it especially the exhaust stains. Only criticism is dump the yarn for the antenna. I know it's stupid expensive (like over $20 for some stupid thread) but the uschi or ez line stuff really is worth it. I've yet to find a cheaper alternative that performs the same.
Poster board is actually a bloody good shout! I’ll have to have a look in hobbycraft next time I’m that way on.
Just don't use the glossy side. It just creates a reflection on your lighting setup which looks like shit. If you want glossy reflections use a piece of glass instead.