|
Community Links |
Social Groups |
Pictures & Albums |
Members List |
Search Forums |
Advanced Search |
Go to Page... |
|
Thread Tools |
12-11-2008, 08:46 AM | #21 |
Agent
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 15,325
|
you can't but a staff member can. Lets see how much legs this thread has and then I'll sticky it.
|
12-11-2008, 11:52 AM | #22 |
TOY FREAK
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: BRENTWOOD NY
Posts: 1,890
|
Quote:
Here's a tip for all you guys and gals that do customs.
Don't use your phone to take pictures of you customs. Look at the pics before you post them, if they're blurred, grainy, washed out from using a flash, take another picture. Don't spend countless hours on your customs, then 2 minutes taking the pics. I've seen too many customs threads ruined because of the crappy pics. I learned: I believe in usin what u got! As u can see in most of the pics I post lol! If it is a camera phone u got then all be it, just try to take the best angles u can. For all the others if u don't like the pics move on "its not nice to attack". Thou great pics for a great custom will get u GREAT replys. So u can't cry when no one replys :(. I started to read this thread and I was lookin for great tips myself (I know to many to list all right now). If it is goin to be a "neative" (as I put that in quotes cause I don't think u mean it neative) add it wit a few postive how to's or this is what I learned . Sooooo how to: Arms and legs are the hardest place to get paint to stay.... well I'm here to tell u guys and gays it is all in the sandin, wet sandin that is!! Get yourself good wet sandin sand paper NOT THAT CHEAP .99c STUFF. Cut a piece half the size of a dollar bill and fold it in fours. Place the arm or leg joint under runnin water or under water (warm) in a bucket, pot etc. Sand lightly u don't want to sand away plastic too much. What u are goin to get as u sand both front, back and sometimes sides is the area will feel soft wit a light touch. This is when u know u have done it right. Light coat of Primer (best color white primer) and then paint. I learned: never use gloss paint! If u need to use it cause it is the only color u could find/ have, then make sure to use a dull coat after that drys! |
12-11-2008, 12:46 PM | #23 |
Cobra Viper
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 240
|
Quote:
I'm not tryin to start a fight on this, in fact I believe if there is a comment made back I'm not goin to reply so......
I learned: I believe in usin what u got! As u can see in most of the pics I post lol! If it is a camera phone u got then all be it, just try to take the best angles u can. For all the others if u don't like the pics move on "its not nice to attack". Thou great pics for a great custom will get u GREAT replys. So u can't cry when no one replys :(. I started to read this thread and I was lookin for great tips myself (I know to many to list all right now). If it is goin to be a "neative" (as I put that in quotes cause I don't think u mean it neative) add it wit a few postive how to's or this is what I learned . I didn't mean my post to be negative, I agree with you that I should have included a few simple tips for taking pics. Here's a few very simple tips that can help you get better pictures of your customs. Taking pictures especially indoors, is all about getting the right light. I am going to assume anyone reading these tips, are using a point and shoot, or a camera phone. First, a point and shoot camera (even a cheap one) is so much better than the camera in a phone, that it's well worth it to use the point and shoot. So if you have both, use the point and shoot. Getting the right light isn't just a matter of turning on a light in the room your shooting in, it starts with using the right settings on your camera. The auto setting can take a decent pic indoors, but if your camera has an indoors setting, use it, it will make the most of the limited light. One of the ways the camera does this, is to slow the shutter speed down, which means you need to make sure you hold the camera very still to avoid a blurred picture. If you have a tri-pod, it's worth digging it out of the closet, it makes taking pics a lot easier, and will hold your camera very still, avoiding blurred pictures. No matter what camera you use, getting enough light, and the light in the right place, is the most important aspect of taking pictures indoors. I always turn off the flash, and use florescent shop lights. I use the shop lights because they put out a nice soft white light, and it's what I already have. You want some kind of a movable light source, so you can position the lights for best effect. Whatever light you have, place it in a way to avoid dark shadows in the area you want the viewer to see. The light should be bright enough to see the details of your custom, but not so bright that it casts a harsh glare onto your custom. If all else fails, and you have to use the flash, move as far away as your zoom will allow, from what you want to shoot. Use the zoom to get as close to the subject as you want, then make sure you hold the camera as still as you can as you snap the pic. This will allow the flash to dissipate and minimize the harsh glare. As far a what angle to shoot your custom from, be creative, take pics from many different angles. Nobody gets the perfect picture by taking just one, so take several pics from different angles, with different lighting. The more pics you take, the more you'll have to choose from, and the more likely you'll be to find a pic you're happy with. If you have a picture editing program, play around with it, learn how to at least use the simple features like the crop, and lighting effects. Use the crop to cut the unwanted stuff out of your pics, and use the contrast, or brightness setting to improve the lighting in your picture. You worked so hard on your custom, take the time to get decent pics so you can show off your great work. Last edited by stburr91; 12-11-2008 at 01:43 PM.. |
12-11-2008, 02:19 PM | #24 |
So much drama 'n the LBCs
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 4,844
|
Quote:
Right now, I don't take the best pics of my work because I have a new camera that I don't know how to use that well, and, well, because I'm lazy. Haha. BUT I do try and take the best pics possible without setting up lights/etc. If daylight isn't there, I turn my flash down all the way, and back up. I just turn up my pic resolution as high as possible, and zoom in or once they're on the computer, I crop them in Photoshop. To be honest, anyone taking pics of custom work should have Photoshop. As much as I hate that it's available to every Joe-Schmo out there, it's also a tool that folks should get used to using in this day and age. It has so many applications, it's ridiculous. |
12-11-2008, 02:19 PM | #25 |
Cobra Viper
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 240
|
My brother and I have used stencils on some of our custom vehicles, it's an easy way to get a great paint job.
I'm not an artist, and there's no way I could ever hand paint logos or camouflage or anything like that, but stencils are so easy, anyone can do them. I first find, or make a logo, camo pattern or whatever I want, on my computer. Then I use a program to print the logo out in the size I want onto a cheap mailing label. The cheap labels I have don't make good stencils, so I peel off the label, stick blue painters tape onto the wax paper I just peeled the label from, then stick the label on top of the blue tape. I then use an Xacto knife to cut out the stencil. The blue painters tape is the stencil I use. The tape works great as a stencil, and peels off without removing any paint. Simple, cheap, and works great. Last edited by stburr91; 12-11-2008 at 02:27 PM.. |
12-11-2008, 02:48 PM | #26 |
Operations Officer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Highland NY
Posts: 1,256
|
Shampoo and condition ur brushes after every use. The bristles will outlast the brush handle, I kid u not.
__________________
Check out my comic book series COBRA AXIS POWER! http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-jo...ms-galore.html CLICK BELOW FOR ALL 4 PARTS http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-jo...ms-galore.html My Customs: http://www.hisstank.com/forum/member...s-customs.html |
12-11-2008, 02:49 PM | #27 |
Cobra Viper
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 240
|
Quote:
Also, what you shoot ON will help as well. Try and shoot your figures against a rather neutral, blank background unless it's intentionally shot in a diorama. I shoot a lot of my stuff on my leather coffee table, because it doesn't bounce back much of a glare, and it's dark. It's also my ghetto work station for now, until I get my home office set up like I want it.
Right now, I don't take the best pics of my work because I have a new camera that I don't know how to use that well, and, well, because I'm lazy. Haha. BUT I do try and take the best pics possible without setting up lights/etc. If daylight isn't there, I turn my flash down all the way, and back up. I just turn up my pic resolution as high as possible, and zoom in or once they're on the computer, I crop them in Photoshop. To be honest, anyone taking pics of custom work should have Photoshop. As much as I hate that it's available to every Joe-Schmo out there, it's also a tool that folks should get used to using in this day and age. It has so many applications, it's ridiculous. I completely agree with you about Photoshop, everyone should have it, and know how to use it. Here's a pic I took. I had good lighting when I took the pic, but by simply brightening it up just a little in photoshop, it looks much better. Some other things to note about this pic is, I wanted to avoid using pics with boring angles, so I took the pic from an angle to show the logo on the hull. I also cropped the pic so it was centered in a way to draw the eye to the cobra logo. If I used any more light in this pic, it would have started to cause too much glare on some spots, so that's why I used photoshop to brighten up the pic a little. It's the little things that can make a big difference in how your pics come out. And trust me, if I can learn how to do it, you can to. Last edited by stburr91; 12-11-2008 at 02:56 PM.. |
12-11-2008, 05:39 PM | #28 |
007 Snakes
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: ATX
Posts: 719
|
Yes, Photoshop is your best friend for photos. Best thing to use is the crop tool in Photoshop. Also go to Image - Adjustments - Auto levels. Or Image - Adjustments - Brightness/contrast. Tweak those levels and it helps the picture out alot.
|
12-11-2008, 05:50 PM | #29 |
Human Smoke Grenade
Join Date: May 2008
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,310
|
Couldn't have said it better myself! I use the brightness contrast on all of my pics, even if I don't think it may need it. Usually, a little tweaking brings out something that might otherwise have gone missing.
__________________
http://www.hisstank.com/forum/buy-se...ie-herder.html |
12-13-2008, 08:05 PM | #30 |
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Methuen , MA
Posts: 231
|
i love yard sales and flea markets, they have tons of swag that i can use for customs!
|
Barbecue68 |
View Public Profile |
Find More Posts by Barbecue68 |
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
What secrets lurk in the filecards? | Troynos | G.I. Joe General Discussion | 23933 | 04-10-2024 09:47 PM |
Need Some Customizing Tips | Tiger_Force_Dude | G.I. Joe Customs Finished Projects | 13 | 08-30-2009 07:56 PM |
Quaid Spills Secrets on "G.I. Joe" | HissCommander | G.I. Joe News and Rumors | 108 | 10-01-2008 11:23 AM |
Joe Con Tips | A.V.A.C. | G.I. Joe General Discussion | 4 | 06-25-2008 01:44 PM |
casting help, how-to and tips | mswi | G.I. Joe Customs General Discussion | 12 | 05-02-2008 07:20 AM |
|
|
Recent Off Topic Threads |
G.I. Joe March Madness 2024 Championship Battle Armor... |
What song are you listening to? |
1:18 Airwolf kickstarter |
4" Fortnite from Jazwares |
JazWares 18th Halo |