showing/displaying model ships

[bootneck]

I like to show some of the model ships that I have built but find that sometimes they look a bit plain when just placed on a table or in the cabinet; so I thought I would try a bit of experimenting. Whilst on a recent holiday, I took some photo's of the sea looking out towards the horizon. I then printed off one of the photo's and placed a model ship onto it, just to see if the model would look any better with a sea background.

Here is the standard view which I tend to present when displaying a model on the forum. The scale is 1:1200

I then got the photo and placed the model onto it.

I bent the photo up slightly in front of the model and this gave an impression of the ship sitting in the trough

Early days but I am finding this quite enjoyable. No special effects or treatments to the photo, just bending its shape for the model to sit on.

cheers

Mike

[Roger Newsome]

That's a simple and very effective technique, I like it.

Roger

[keefr22]

That's clever Mike! Like the model too!

Keith

[bootneck]

Here is the spoiler alert!

I bent the photo as shown below.

The sky section is kept vertical and there is a flat piece for the model to sit on. The foreground is left to drop away and show the sea effect.

I've placed the model to match the sea effect, giving an impression that the ship is underway.

I'm now going to try something similar but with A3 sized paper. If it works then I 'should' be able to do the same with 1:350 scale stuff.

cheers

Mike

[Panzer Vor!!!]

Brilliant just need a torpedo track racing in

[bootneck]

I've printed the photo at A3 size and placed a 1:350 scale model on it. The result doesn't seem to be as effective but I'm still experimenting here. The main thing is to keep it simple.

This was the first 1:350 model I could find that was easily available. Obviously the LST's doors wouldn't usually be open at sea.

[ShipbuilderMN]

Mike

That method is very effective indeed and the models look very realistic. I have used a similar method where I photograph the model from a low angle and then superimpose a photograph of the sea over the lower part. That way, no horizon is necessary and it looks like it was taken from a small boat, but I think I will be trying your method as well.

Here is my four-masted barque Primrose Hill.

Bob

[bootneck]

That really is effective Bob. Moodily Atlantic grey whilst the ship is a nice subtle colour

Mike

[ShipbuilderMN]

Thanks Mike,

I thought it more appropriate to make it a black and white image as it was a sailing ship. But I really like your colour pics of Californian, complete with horizon!

Primrose Hill has Titanic connections as well. She was the first ship of Charles Lightoller, 2nd officer of Titanic. He also served in sailing ships Holt Hill and Knight of St. Michael.

Bob

[GrantGoodale]

Very neat idea! Thanks.