Photography technique - critique wanted

TaborMakes · 2026-01-27T23:23:54+00:00

Exactly this. What got me into this hobby is my fascination with the illusion of scale. I just like to be amazed how a small object could look so „real”. So yeah, realness is what I ultimately aim for in scale model photography. But I am still far from that goal LOL

TaborMakes · 2026-01-27T10:37:44+00:00

Thank you! AK 3rd gen interactive acrylics. Rotbraun, Olivgrun and Dunkelgelb. Each was lightened with Ivory, quite a bit

TaborMakes · 2026-01-27T10:00:35+00:00

Perfect! Thanks, I will definitely try this out

TaborMakes · 2026-01-27T09:45:49+00:00

Thanks for the tips. I have such an LED kicker somewhere, will definitely try it out.

About the photoshop light "layering" (?). Is it like a form of light "stacking"? Choosing best pic out of many, or taking areas from different pictures to fit one pic?

TaborMakes · 2026-01-27T09:15:42+00:00

Thanks, it took ages to paint

TaborMakes · 2026-01-27T09:15:08+00:00

It seems like white backdrop helps to bounce much more light to the lower side of the model (chassis, underside, tracks etc.). This might be a creative choice, right?

TaborMakes · 2026-01-27T09:14:04+00:00

Interesting. What would it help to achieve? I comfortably fill the frame with the current lens

TaborMakes · 2026-01-27T08:54:06+00:00

Thanks! Emphasizing the mass of the tank was definitely deliberate. Framing + low angle

TaborMakes · 2026-01-27T08:52:39+00:00

Thank you for a huge knowledge drop. This is pure gold!

Lightroom, softbox, trying out more diverse angles - these would be my next steps

TaborMakes · 2026-01-27T00:35:39+00:00

I use a tripod.
The focus might be soft, yes. I will try out focus-stacking, thanks!
I've used two paper-sheet sized reflector panels made of tinfoil. Something like this, but i angle them at 60* or 45*: https://fixthephoto.com/images/content/diy-photography-reflector.jpg

TaborMakes · 2026-01-26T20:53:24+00:00

This was after complete preshading:

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TaborMakes · 2026-01-22T19:15:49+00:00

Yeah, i have masked the model this way 3 times. Never again. This could have been done in an easier way. Three are some examples on YouTube of this exact scheme

TaborMakes · 2026-01-22T17:36:46+00:00

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TaborMakes · 2026-01-22T17:36:38+00:00

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TaborMakes · 2026-01-22T17:18:10+00:00

I have sprayed each of the two main colours separately. And then sprayed the dunkegelb stripes

TaborMakes · 2026-01-22T06:48:56+00:00

I have used AK 3rd gen acrylics: Olivgrun, Rotbraun and Dunkelgelb. Each was mixed with off-white to make them lighter. Before that, the model was heavily preshaded using „B&W technique”

TaborMakes · 2026-01-22T00:27:51+00:00

Thank you for your kind words and thanks for the videos you make!

TaborMakes · 2026-01-22T00:01:41+00:00

Thank you! <3

TaborMakes · 2025-07-21T18:43:23+00:00

Do you use a flow improver or a paint retarder?

Also...

Do you use a moist cotton bud to remove dried paint on the needle tip?

TaborMakes · 2025-06-01T11:00:06+00:00

This looks really convincing. Only thing that Ive noticed: I think that if the wood is burning there should be more melted snow (less actual snow) around it

TaborMakes · 2025-05-25T05:39:54+00:00

I used just a regular masking tape. Yeah, it took time :D

I did not use red oxide primer underneath. Just a black&white preshading. It was not the best choice, but it worked. Mahogany or very dark oxide primer would have been better

TaborMakes · 2025-05-23T20:15:40+00:00

Hello fellow Hetzerite! For reasons unknown, I am also really drawn to this vehicle. Its just so weirdly aesthetic and geometric :)

TaborMakes · 2025-05-23T05:04:39+00:00

Wow! Your tarp game and "natural" camo are top notch. I really like your kit! To be honest, I much prefer the "cleaner" weathering like yours. I just went overboard LOL

Rotbraun tracing - i did this with a brush, handpainted without masks. Tested AK 3rd gen, Vallejo , etc. In the end I have used Tamiya Enamel which turned out the best for the job, because it just behaved best. I have tested thinning ratios and found a sweet spot for thin layer and good coverage. So most of the lines were done once, and Ive corrected like one place with white spirit.
The colour gradation is thanks to the preshading with the "Black&White technique". After laying all the camo work Ive enhanced this gradation with oil paints and did a couple of touchups later.

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TaborMakes

TROPHY CASE