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This is a WIP shot of a Scout Bus I am doing for my vanilla marine chapter. I have been out of the hobby for 20 years and just got back in around Christmas. The goal here is table ready, and practice for perhaps doing some more intricate and "show" things. Any and all suggestions are welcome.
Also photography tips are welcome as well

funny timing, as I'm working on my first land speeder myself

that photo's awfully small; it's hard to get any sense of detail from it. are you looking for suggestions on anything in particular?

I'm looking for suggestions on technique, style, how to photograph, perhaps ideas for fun bits to add...

That sort of thing. Attempt 2 at photos:

Ad taking pictures: I'd suggest building a light-box http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent or at least take the pictures against light grey/white background, so you can work with focus, white balance and stuff

rajcze wrote:Ad taking pictures: I'd suggest building a light-box http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent or at least take the pictures against light grey/white background, so you can work with focus, white balance and stuff

Thank you sir, I will try that. After that I think I may invest in something better than a cell phone camera.

I have finished the Speeder itself, and will be jumping on the scouts next. Some more poor quality photos...

yay for bigger photos I second the lightbox idea, though short of that just putting a few more light sources near the model (but not pointing into the camera lens) will surely help.

first thing I notice on the model is that the wash seems really heavy, leaving a patchy and grainy finish. that's just a personal preference thing, though, and one could easily call that "weathering" if it wasn't intentional. the highlights are also a bit inconsistent; I see them on some edges (front of the wings, top of the rear fuselage) but not on others (the rollbar thingy that splits the cockpit down the center). that might just be the photo, though.

looking forward to seeing some scouts!

I don't see any problems with how you've done this. I would, however, add some Icons or chapter symbols or what not simply to contrast with the dark Red. As well, I would maybe brighten up the insturment panel a bit, and perhaps scatter some bolter casings/ mags on the floor. Still, very cool!

@varl The heavy wash is the way I interpret a war machine that is hundreds of years old, but well maintained. It's going to show some wear and tear but still be able to do its job and do it well. I also need to find a more consistent way of showing this. The highlights on the roll bar are there, just difficult to see. Hopefully the new pictures in the better light will show them off.

@worldwar There are a lot of bits on the sprue that will be going into the crew compartment to add an appropriate amount of "busy". Since I made up my chapter, The Storm Legion, or Legio Tempestus there are no ready made insignia. Could you point me toward someone who makes custom water slide transfers at a reasonable price?

Now on to scout "A"

The highlights on the left shoulder are giving me fits. Maybe white was the wrong choice for the 10th Company?

if that's the case, then I think the weathering came out well. looks like it's flown through a few firestorms over the years you can always try free-handing insignia (a simple lightning bolt, maybe?) or combining bits from different chapters' decals if you have no luck finding custom decals.

as far as highlighting white goes, I have no idea. maybe try a reverse highlight and shade the edges with a very light gray?

Actually, if you take the time to explore other type of Hobby Shops, I believe some that carry RC Cars and Car Models will have computer soft ware and printer friendly transfers that'll allow you to make your own Transfers. I would'nt bank on what I'm telling you as 100% as I've not tried this myself, but I do remember seeing them at a Hobby Shop in The West Edmonton Mall. Perhaps someone else reading this can be more useful.

OK, some more pics @worldwar I took your advice and put some color in the cockpit. I even tried a bit of OSL, don't know how it looks...


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As an aside, that swirly thing to the left in the photos is my chapter symbol...

Still looking good! On your chapter symbol, if you do track down some do-it-yourself decals, maybe you could use the logo for the Carolina Hurricanes and just change the colours a bit more to your liking, save yourself some free hand work.

worldwarme wrote:Still looking good! On your chapter symbol, if you do track down some do-it-yourself decals, maybe you could use the logo for the Carolina Hurricanes and just change the colours a bit more to your liking, save yourself some free hand work.

20% change is required to not have copyright issues... But it is possible

Done! Yay! drove me nuts...

Mostly happy with it, a few of the figures made me angry, but there yo go...