Car Photography with Scale Models

NSXTypeRNSXTypeR Posts: 2,286Member
edited October 2013 in Fun & Weird
I found a pretty cool article about a guy who photographs models of his cars and he situates them with scenery to make it look real. Some of it looks quite good, although in some cases it looks a little off. I think it's pretty cool stuff.

http://fstoppers.com/model-maker-turns-toy-cars-into-nostalgic-life-like-images-on-a-200-point-and-shoot

His Flickr has more shots.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24796741@N05/
Nikon D7000/ Nikon D40/ Nikon FM2/ 18-135 AF-S/ 35mm 1.8 AF-S/ 105mm Macro AF-S/ 50mm 1.2 AI-S

Comments

  • KillerbobKillerbob Posts: 732Member
  • Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
    Very creative photography. Just goes to show you how scale, angle, composition and perspective come in to play when shooting an photo.
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  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    Fascinating....
    Msmoto, mod
  • Vipmediastar_JZVipmediastar_JZ Posts: 1,708Member
    I'm going to try it. I have boxes of car models. I was going to build a few this year but my GTO was never completed.
  • PhotobugPhotobug Posts: 5,751Member
    Really creative. Very nice.
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  • kyoshinikonkyoshinikon Posts: 411Member
    These are fun. Reminds me of the pics I see in the model railroader mag.
    “To photograph is to hold one’s breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It’s at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.” - Bresson
  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    It would appear one of the important aspects of this is the very short focal length of his lens....4.5mm, thus allowing great DOF at almost wide open...f/4.5, e.g. And, the most critical factor is his master model building skills. One of the best I have seen.
    Msmoto, mod
  • shawninoshawnino Posts: 453Member
    Great link. Thank you. Guy is masterful.

    I wish he had collaborated on the video opening sequence to "The Fugitive". Would have looked better.
  • NSXTypeRNSXTypeR Posts: 2,286Member
    edited October 2013
    I just noticed, he's also really good at building his dioramas too. He recreated the stand for when the Chrysler Turbine car was unveiled.
    It would appear one of the important aspects of this is the very short focal length of his lens....4.5mm, thus allowing great DOF at almost wide open...f/4.5, e.g. And, the most critical factor is his master model building skills. One of the best I have seen.
    Right, it certainly helps that he's using a compact camera because they have very deep depth of field. For this sort of photography it would be essential.
    Post edited by NSXTypeR on
    Nikon D7000/ Nikon D40/ Nikon FM2/ 18-135 AF-S/ 35mm 1.8 AF-S/ 105mm Macro AF-S/ 50mm 1.2 AI-S
  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    I have thought of trying something like this using the 10.5mm f/2.8 on full frame, but with a crop down to about an area of 7 x 10mm........

    Another possibility is the use of a PC (24mm) but as noted the expertise and detail oriented process used is critical. Michael Smith has shown us a new dimension of photography.....
    Msmoto, mod
  • NSXTypeRNSXTypeR Posts: 2,286Member
    I have thought of trying something like this using the 10.5mm f/2.8 on full frame, but with a crop down to about an area of 7 x 10mm........

    Another possibility is the use of a PC (24mm) but as noted the expertise and detail oriented process used is critical. Michael Smith has shown us a new dimension of photography.....
    Yes, tilt shift would be another option. But would it even be possible if you stopped down to F22 at 18mm on DX?

    The DOF calculator says your total DOF would be 11 ft or so if you were 2 ft away from the subject. Hyperfocal distance is 22 ft. It should be acceptably sharp, but not pin sharp I guess?
    Nikon D7000/ Nikon D40/ Nikon FM2/ 18-135 AF-S/ 35mm 1.8 AF-S/ 105mm Macro AF-S/ 50mm 1.2 AI-S
  • heartyfisherheartyfisher Posts: 3,186Member
    Did a DOF calculation using the nikon 1 and 10mm and F8
    Subject distance 4 ft

    Depth of field
    Near limit 1.94 ft
    Far limit Infinity
    Total Infinite

    In front of subject 2.1 ft
    Behind subject Infinite

    Hyperfocal distance 3.76 ft
    Circle of confusion 0.011 mm
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