Photographing models...

Yeah, knowutcha mean. If I'm photographing a finished built-up, especially if it's for an article, album, auction or some such, I usually try to use a "presentable" backdrop.

Otherwise, almost anything will do. If I take some shots of a piece in-progress, I like to use my workspace as a backdrop. It's kind of fitting, I think.

I do draw the line at frilly curtains, though!


Fade to Black...

i have a window between my living room (the model shop) and my den. I got some light blue cloth and covered the window...then made clouds out of cotton balls...stretching to various shapes and sizes, and just a dab of gray primer on a few; on some shots, i use the gray sandpaper tarmac and on others, the diorama base for a carrier, or the pre-fab airfield in the ETO; i got trees from Scenic Woodlands. I use different lighting effects to create different settings...light and shadows. I use a Kodak DX3600 Zoom Digital Camera...keep shooting till i get what i want, and then delete the rest. Sure beats all that developing costs.

I liked the article in this months issue of FSM on using the computer to edit pictures together. Do a little movie magic with a green screen...etc. If I am taking picture of my models, I try to get outside on a nice day. If you have a natural background that is far enough away you can adjust the camera to blur it out , or you could just go somewhere that has a background that you want. I have never been too happy with the results from photo or painted backdrops, I prefer the real thing.

Now here's how I like to see models photographed. I found this On ARC and shows some photos I call "ants-eye". This technique also works well with real aircraft also. It's a 1/32 Ju-87 B-2 Stuka by Jeff Brundt. Beautiful! Check it out:
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal2/1401-1500/Gal1411_Ju-87_Brundt/gal1411.htm