Scale Aviator International Magazine Issue 3 | Page 80

Since we need to take our photos at the
same relative height as in our BG photos, it is
now necessary to lay down on the ground. As my
model is 1/6th scale, that means my camera should
be at 1-foot above the ground to match the 6-foot
average photographer’s eye-line. Obviously, you
will need to adjust this depending on the scale of
your own model.
Now it is time to check our notes again, and
point our camera in the same compass direction
as we did in our B- photos. Also, make sure to aim
it up or down to match the angle in your notes so
it will match the BG- photos. You can see what we
are doing here, right? In order to have our model
look like it is full-sized, we need to photograph it in
the same relative positions and angles as we did
our ‘imaginary’ full-sized aircraft.

As long as we match all our notes, and take the
model photos at the same time of day, the same
compass-heading, the same horizontal angle,
and same relative height, and of course, have our
model in the same position as our ‘imaginary’ fullsized plane, these photos will have the same look
and conditions as our BG-photos, and that means
they will easily match up when we composite them
together later in ‘Phase-Three’.
It should also be noted at this point that by
comparing our BG-photos, and the photos of our
model, we can plainly see that the sun is coming
from the same position in the sky, and the shadows
are also the same relative length and intensity.
And so, it is just that easy! The more care you
spend on these steps in Phase-One and Two, the

Figure 9. Tony patiently aggravates his lower back as I take these photos. Since
we need to take our photos at the same relative height as in our BG photos, it is
now necessary to lay down on the ground. As my model is 1/6th scale, that means
my camera should be at 1-foot above the ground to match the 6-foot average
photographer’s eye-line.

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