Merging photos of a model with a background photo.

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jeaton01
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Merging photos of a model with a background photo.

Post by jeaton01 »

I messed about with a Beaufighter on a photo of a British hardstand, modern photo so the weeds aren't quite right. Making it look realistic is not that simple. I know the model is not quite from the right perspective, I just used one from my website, but the lighting and the relative exposure and contrast really seem to be important.

Three different takes, which is more believable?

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My modelling website, with build logs.

http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html
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Stikpusher
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Re: Merging photos of a model with a background photo.

Post by Stikpusher »

The lighting doesn’t match… :hmm: the undersides are too well illuminated, and the lack of shadow beneath the aircraft also makes the pasting more noticeable. Is there anyway to counteract those points with the app?
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speedgraflex
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Re: Merging photos of a model with a background photo.

Post by speedgraflex »

What Carlos wrote, in particular about the lack of shadow, applies. It would be better to build a small base, photograph model on base with the sunlight angle clearly defined, and use the shadow from the actual model. The aircraft casts a distinctive shadow. Also the color is not correctly balanced for an outdoor setting. By dumping the color, adding contrast and painting in a shadow I have this edit:

Image

I did not paint the shadow neatly, but left overspray. I do this type of work professionally so I often have to create a quick test piece to show how the elements come together. That’s what I’ve done here.
Bruce / SPEEDGRAFLEX
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jeaton01
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Re: Merging photos of a model with a background photo.

Post by jeaton01 »

Excellent, Bruce! And I agree, the bottom was too well lit, as Carlos commented. It would be simpler to photograph on a base, and in any event I think a single source of illumination similar to where the sun was in the background is the way to go. However, I wanted to do this one for a starting point as I am not a good enough photographer to figure it all out in advance.

Yes, I think I could use the shadow in the original photograph, Carlos, but I would have to figure out a way to turn it into a neutral and semitransparent mask instead of the blue backdrop. Here's the original image of the model. Corel Photopaint is that smart but to date I am not. And once again the shadow should agree with the light source of the other shadows in the background.

Image
My modelling website, with build logs.

http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html
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