[Free Model #3] - Canon's Komatsu Loading Shovel

[David H]

Awww you all say such nice things... bit busy at work but will provide the final instalment in a day or three.

David, the cube is just as you say, it is 5 centimetres on a side and give scale to models and individual components. In my profession we always use a suitable scale when photographing a "thing or stuff" but I can claim no credit in the design or creation of blue and white cube!

MUD! No, I don't think I will be weathering the Komatsu, she is being left as new, just delivered, plastic wrap on the seat "new smell" in the cab.

D

[cdavenport]

Notwithstanding your excellent build, I also wanted to call attention to your equally excellent photography. I suspect many of our members think it a challenge when, really, all that's needed is a constant light source, a cardboard box with the top removed and sides cut down, a piece of light blue or grey posterboard, and a tripod.

[David H]

Tripods are the key (got at least 5 in the house) from dinky table top toys to might steel towers with a maximum lift of well over 2m. I have a well loved, well used and very heavy example for most of my model pictures. Its a real windy day tripod and too heavy to carry about without a very good reason.

If I need to get in close I use a very posable and flexible Malfronto which is a wonderful and very light bit of kit.

I tend towards an all white photographic area composed of the remains of a sheet of illustration board and artfully arranged sheets of A3 paper! I can assemble disassemble in a couple of minutes. I have used grey card and would consider other neutral colours it required by the subject but I take the wonderful D&K illustrated books as my example.

Less is defiantly more.

Library - 5922.jpg


Lighting: hmmm. Text book says you need 4 lamps. I usually use 2 sometimes 3 and very occasionally 4.

One lamp is positioned close to the axis of the camera and one to the side. I use angle poise reading lamps and try to eliminate harsh shadows and I sometimes use greaseproof paper diffusers over the lamps.

Library - 5916.jpg

Digital cameras are great, even a the cheapest ones take a picture which will be fine at web page resolution (will Zealot HD come to a browser near you one day?). My cameras do not have oodles of mega-pixels but do have good lenses.

Use the macro function to get in to about 8' - 12' (20cm - 30cm). Switch off the auto flash and use manual focus if you got it.

I have one last secret but I am keeping mum on that for a wee bit longer. If you look carefully you can see it...

On with the photography

D

[Lex]

Very nice work!!! And nice photography too!!!!

[David H]

Everyone is posting their finished shots, please find mine below.

Komatsu comic - 39.jpg

Komatsu comic - 40.jpg

Komatsu comic - 41.jpg

Komatsu comic - 42.jpg

Komatsu comic - 43.jpg

Final words, this is a great little model!

D