Celebrating ...
my 4 plus year return to the hobby. With all the heaviness brought on by the recent website snafu--I feel a need to lighten things up.
My return to the hobby started with a TBM-3 Avenger. Some of you may remember the photoshop that I did depicting the final moments of Flight 19. Below, is another image that I did, but that I never posted.
With this image I simulated the plane at full power. Meaning--the prop is spinning. I had to do some fancy photo layering in order to simulate prop movement. When I photographed the model, I had also tried imaging the model whilst spinning the prop with canned air. Though that worked to convincingly show rotation -- it did nothing for me in terms of morphing the background with the foreground. My photoshopping skills are self- taught, and very basic. Someone more versed in the process might have made easy hay out of it.
Below shows the basic setup that I used to photograph the model. When I built the model, I made sure to include a threaded anchor. Doing so allowed me to not only photograph the model inflight, but later, anchor it for an inflight model display. My Dad machined the metal shaft that you see. That piece extends down connecting to a camera tripod. This made it easy for me to manipulate the plane as I saw fit. That clip does nothing for the assembly. I used it to clip the foam board backing.
Below, looking kind of pissed off and I wasn't, I am triggering the camera via a remote. Sadly--I didn't have a lovely assistant to work with me on the project. Well--maybe that is why I looked angry. I did attract some attention however from a county park employee that showed some interest in my endeavor. She seemed genuinely interested. I supposed anything like this would be a welcome change from mowing the grass and moving picnic tables.
I hope you enjoyed my celebration.
