Many model builders want to take good photos of their models to show them to friends and acquaintances or to use in publications. To do this, I use a computer along with the appropriate software. In my case, it's the well-known Photoshop. Here are a few examples to illustrate this.
First, I take pictures of the model outdoors from various angles, making sure the lighting is good. Using Photoshop, I cut out the model and remove any distracting backgrounds. I search the Internet for landscape images that could serve as a background for my cut-out model. I make sure to choose images with the highest possible resolution; those with approximately 1200 x 800 pixels are suitable.
The exposed model is scaled in Photoshop and positioned in the background image. Rotating propellers can be adjusted using the appropriate filters
Chris
Fantastic work! What version of Photoshop do you use? Keep up the great work!
Sky9pilot
Most impressive models and photos
@ Sky9pilot:
It is Photoshop Elements, Version 11
Chris
Excellent pics! Would it be cheating to edit out the motor peg. ;-)
Hi lincoln
I don't know myself: Should we hide the fact that it's a model?
Chris
Here are a few more pictures on the topic of how I present my models. For the Jimmie Allen "Parasol," I used Photoshop to remove the rubber bands used to attach the wings. Even though it's a model aircraft, it gives the impression that it could be a real, man-carrying airplane.
Chris
Somewhere, I've seen a picture of a full scale plane, maybe a Champ, with a big, twisted rubber motor painted on the side.
Hi Chris, as your wingman, I'd like to chime in too. There are some great photos of our D-3800/3801 as a patrol and also solo. I think Chris does a fantastic job with the rendering and the backgrounds.
If these are rendered in black and white and weathered, the illusion is almost perfect. Here with the models of the C-3603 and D-3800.
Pete
Now aged to black and white
Quote from: lincoln. . . Would it be cheating to edit out the motor peg. ;-)
Lose the motor peg . . . and just clear up that wrinkled tissue . . . clean up that bit where the paint bled under the stencil . . . ;-)
Quote from: chris46I don't know myself: Should we hide the fact that it's a model?
Hmmmm. I know this is just for fun, and pride, but I just wonder if we've reached the stage where there's no point in people posting pics and vids of their models in flight, if it's so easy to create the illusion digitally. Anyway, your thread has given me food for thought.
Stephen. P.S. "What's that flying over - is that a model plane?" "No - it's just an Optical Ilyushin."
Reminds me of the chap who was disqualified from the RC scale WC. He had uploaded photos of his model to Wikipedia posed as the full-size subject and used them as his documentation. Unsurprisingly his model got very good marks. I think he was rumbled when someone noticed in one of the shots from above that the pilot had no arms.