Scale Modeling and Photography

This section is designed to provide suggestions about preparing your model for photography and tips on photographing your model. If you are going to be sending your pictures to American Flight Visions for us to create the final image, you will want to send us the best possible picture for us to work with so we can provide you with the most beautiful final image possible. If your at this site just to learn and you want to try your own hand at digital aviation photography then hopefully this will be of help. Good luck with your project, and if we can be of any assistance please contact us.

PREPARING YOUR MODEL FOR PHOTOGRAPHY
Attention To Detail

IN-FLIGHT OR RAMP - Deciding whether you want your bird in the air, on the ramp, or both will affect many of the ways you build your model. It’s amazing how often even the most obvious things can be overlooked before photography, primarily because in the past you never had to consider these areas in building. So don’t be insulted if we bring up the obvious. Believe us, weve forgotten also. These suggestions are directed primarily towards the plastic/resin modeler, as the RC modeler has most of these issues taken care of in their moveable parts.

CANOPIES - As a general rule, all canopies should be closed in-flight. Some exceptions are sliding canopies or props. Some Navy jet a/c kept the canopies open as a general rule during take off and landings from carriers like the Panther, Cougar, and Fury to name only a few. We use small dabs of water base white glue on the bottom edge of the canopies to make them tacky in order to be able to close and open them as we wish. Obviously canopies should be as clear as possible. A little polishing and/or Future floor wax go a long way. If your going to have the canopy closed try to close it with the best fit possible, however don’t worry if a little gap shows, because we can close the gap all the way in the computer. The inside of the canopy rails need to be painted the suggested color such as grey, black or chromate green.

PILOTS - As a general rule, most modelers don’t put pilots in their models because they cover up the detail in the cockpit. Some just don’t like to paint figures. Whatever the reason you will need a pilot so do it yourself or borrow one from a buddy. Remember you don’t have to have the whole body because it’s just for the picture. You can wack off his lower body (don’t worry, he won’t feel a thing) and just show the upper shoulders. arms and helmet. Put temporary painted strips of masking tape over the shoulders for seat harness’s and pay a lot of attention to skin tone on the neck and around the oxygen mask. A poorly painted pilot can take away from the final image, so the extra work will be worth it. RC pilots should pay attention to the skin tone on their purchased pilots.

 
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