John's Wall of Plastic

[johnsan]

Thank you, Marek.

The setup is used to give consistency. I shoot in a dark room using only the lighting I choose. The lights are all the same type and are daylight balanced. I use a tripod because the exposure is usually a couple of seconds long. I use a light box to aid with keeping the light soft. I like white for the background as this helps keep the colors true.

I've been away from the bench and the computer dealing with some family issues. It's good to be back home.

I promised earlier to show my setup.



I have 2 different light boxes. Which used depends on the footprint size of the photo subject.

[Marek]

I like the tripod, your Manfrotto looks like it actually works for photographer not against him.

[johnsan]

Yeah, I like it also. Just wish I'd had the cash when I bought it to have gotten the carbon fiber. This gets a little heavy when I carry it off site for non-modeling photography.

[Marek]

I feel your pain, usually we 'man up' because something costs more just to swear at ourselves little bit later.

[mjatx]

Very nice studio. I have a smaller version, but unfortunately, I have to clean out too much space to set up it, so it only comes out on occasion.

[johnsan]

I have enough space currently that I can leave it permanently set up. Same for the paint station. This really makes it easy to build and record.

Speaking of building - I need a break from Focke Wulfs. I was going to poll the next build, but remembered I had wanted to join the Blitz Bau GB. Sadly, real live interrupted these plans. I was going to blitz Master Box's Mk II Male. So this will be the next. It won't be a blitz, but hopefully it will be a quick build.



Looks like a pretty nice kit and I really liked their Austin from earlier this year.

[johnsan]

A little over an hour gives this:



All parts used excepting the tracks. Paint tomorrow.

[PGAS]

John,

That is a really nice photography set up. As I said before, you really have hit the depth of field and the colour look great, as do the models. Both the front and the back edges of the models are in sharp focus. Fantastic!

The tank looks like an interesting model. Very crisp detail. What scale is it? Is this the same type as seen on Raiders of the Lost Ark III?

[johnsan]

Thank you, Paul. This is Master Box's 1/72nd Mk-II tank. This is a sweet little kit. Fit is fantastic.

I think the Raiders tank was a fictional one based on real ones. Sort of like the all wing bomber in the first Raider movie.



About 2 hours at the paint bench. All paint is Tamiya acrylic. Next up will be blending, fading, and muddying.

This one is a lot of fun.

[Marek]

I like the variety of camo a lot. Nice, waiting for tracks.

[TeeELL]

Not seeking to insult the knowledge of the reader; but the reason for the camouflage on the sponsons was because they were 'liberated' from unserviceable Mk1's. The MkII was meant to be a training tank (as was the MkIII) and, as such, was not made from armour steel. By using the sponsons from Mk1's, at least part of the tank was afforded some extra protection.
The mention of the tank used in 'Raiders'; that tank was based upon the 'International' but with the additional turret.

[ShaunW]

Nicely done John, that is shaping up very well indeed. What a wonderful looking set up for your model photography as well, no wonder you get such excellent results! (I use an old digital camera hand held and get the results that I deserve )

[johnsan]

TL - thank you for the explanation. Very helpful. I appreciate any and all help/comments/critique on all my builds. BTW, are you the same TeeEll who recently appeared in the Confrontation Hunter thread on BM?

Shaun - my photos here are a happy outgrowth of another of my hobbies. I like macro photography, so I already had the equipment and software to take nice photos. I certainly wouldn't advise anyone spend large amounts of money for equipment for model photography. That is, unless they were to do this professionally. I've seen some very nice model photos taken using a cell phone.

[johnsan]

Another hour or so.

[johnsan]

Sorry for the duplicate post