Trying out some action photos.

Hi guys been inspired by some of the chat and behind the scenes about dio photo's recently. Brillaint.

also some of the brilliant stuff by Toywithit on youtube.



Also this guy.


Got to start small and with what I have so here are a few shots to test new App to erase /clone when editing (image Eraser- a free app)


My equipment i-phone 11 on a v. cheap tripod.

Using BBQ sticks for support ( will check out wire )

Used a bottle for mist. This didn't work too well but I discovered  later it wasn't on spray setting    

Used earphone to take remote pics.



Basic pic.



Half stick edited out.



full edit

a few more






Also started to play with settings etc in edit suite on phone.





The sparklers are on order ..until then I will be playing with some smoke effects

Thanks for looking ..

All coming together there!
I try like hell to avoid having to clone out supports.

Excellent work Steve!

I always enjoy seeing classic "hard hands" figs in action - just like in the old days!

The mist effect looks cool on camera!

Thanks for comments guys.

Here is working session 2

Advance to contact...



So todays challenge was to look at use of smoke ---real fire  and scene setting..

So started with getting basic poses right. Then addeded a 'wood " around them ( branches stuck in the ground )

Then added some fire !!


so lesson 1: check the wind direction for smoke..
Lesson 2: controlling three small fires is hard ..'really Sherlock ?"
Lesson 3 : misting with water works but need to get some of the Atmospherence spray !!

Here is the pan out shot.


A Pyrotechnic's dream ..used some tin foil wrapped around cardboard for a diy reflector..but kept forgetting to use it - doh !





used tea light candles to provide heat for flames - water and fat flares well plus damp leaves , vegetation for smoke.

Took a ton of shots.. found out that Portrait mode helps with depth of field.



So here goes .. Advance to contact.

Moving up , three section, 3 platoon, 1st Battallion Munrovians move toward the Dragonian forward positions following an initial bombardment...



eyes peeled.. for any movement...



The pre advance bombardment has shrouded the battlefield ...



A mist hampers visibility, mingling with the smoke...small fires still burn and smoulder..



Incoming !!



The inevitable...

The LT , check for signs ...



Medic !!



Hang on in there soldier..



Hope you enjoyed the pics.. Thanks for looking

Tomorrow Intend to go over to some nearby woods to look for a stream.

Second set of photos are excellent…well done..

Some great poses going on here , well done .

Action-tastic pictures Gunner.

Great setting and poses. The fire, smoke, mist and lighting make the scene
look real! Fantastic work!

I appreciate the behind-the-scenes how-to pix and explanation. Your final results are dramatic and visually engaging. Great posing of the figs. This is top caliber Joe / Action Man action!

Your "garden" set up is working really well. 
I always try to avoid direct flames in any shot. Fire just doesn't scale down at all. 
Even the movies have trouble with real fire/flames in miniature. It never looks convincing in small scale and thus destroys the illusion.
Smoke, fumes, glowing light or flying sparks all work well, just not flames.

Thanks for all the comments guys-really appreciate them
LeStryge, you are absolutely right..real flames are hard to control and the also flared up once or twice and I thought"oh bugger..there goes a basic soldier!"
I've since been on Amazon and picked up some smoke matches.Hopefully they will work better
I've been watching some US toy photography vids..and they use the atmosphere spray but that doesn't seem as prevalent in the uk🤨
This year's garden project is to improve the rockery. It was built with available materials during first lockdown. It's not quite right so intending to rip it out and go for a Pondless waterfall. VAM has to have water right?

Superb work Steve!

All very nicely done.

Kimono Troop Command wrote:

All very nicely done.

Thanks KTC ,
your post's and Dave's , have been brilliant. I'm starting to understand principles of set up and lighting from the behind the scenes shots and posts.

Cheers

Gunner Munro wrote:

It's not quite right so intending to rip it out and go for a Pondless waterfall. VAM has to have water right?

Aquarium shops or landscape places have small pre-formed "rock-like" fibreglass waterfalls that with a few extra rocks set around can look quite realistic.
Nothing says you can't add a small electric pump to recirculate the water.

Hey Steve, that's a great 'first dabble' with the FX

You've produced some great atmosphere in your test shots here.

I may give it a go !!!

Hi folks

some new toys arrived to play with today.



Sparklers and some smoke aids.

.

The matches are used for flues I think. They burn for about 20 secs.

I was going out on a field trip but the day got away from me so headed to the garden...

Todays lessons
1. lighting sparklers and smoke at same time -doh ! need a lighter not matches .. hope that atmospherence haze mis turns up soon
2. composition is king .. this one lacks a bit .
3. used some head torches for lighting .. hope you can tell  
4.Choosing shots and editing is the fun bit but takes time ...it would be a lot easier with photoshop.. but don't want to invest ££ yet

so  here is todays best of the bunch.

" Hey you !!"


" yes you over here.."


"Quickly- the crack Dragonian "Red Claws" are attacking..



"Fire gunner... they are almosy upon us ... "

"Stopage !!"



"MOVE !! "


So basic technique was stick sparkler in barrel of the 30 cal .light it then set off smoke and loads of shots ... for the Dragonian I stuck a sparker under the barrel and wire in his supporting hand.

Some B&W shots.






A comic strip look...


Thanks for looking

Great fun. Very 1950's-ish with the stiff Ridgeway caps and the M1 rifles.

Great work Gunner!

Those effects certainly add atmosphere to the pics! 

Effective use of the smoke and sparks to create some exciting action images! Fun stuff!

Kimono Troop Command wrote:

Great fun. Very 1950's-ish with the stiff Ridgeway caps and the M1 rifles.  

Thanks KTC,

Brilliant, exactly the look I was going for    

a bit of background..

In the Gunner HQ Universe, The Dragonian Empire invades Munrovia for its rare mineral wealth. Later their Volgan allies joined the party. Reserve units are called up. The reserve are hastily kitted out with old kit, M1's , Grease guns , Carbines and uniforms etc. The regular forces are over run. 14 Platoon of the 2nd Bn (reserve) are the sole remaining force providing resistance. Hiding out in the foothills of Munrovia ( my back Garden ) they provide a rallying point for the remnants of Munrovia's armed forces. Led by Major Mike Baker ( my oldest and best friend) they continue to be a thorn in the side of the occupying Dragonian and Volgan forces who mercilessly hunt them down. They are assisted by  crack agents of CO12 ( My VAM,Tommy Gunn, Captain Scarlet,Redbox KO , Marx Knight and General Custer from my childhood )tw

btw do you use Phototshop or similar on your shots?

Thanks TNshooter, LeStryge and Dave for your comments.

This photgraphing thing is my latest project ...or as Mrs Gunner would say .."What are you obsessing over now ?!"

Great set of pics again , I would really like to add similar explosive and smoke effects to some pics some time , but buying such things to make it a reality here in the U.K is definitely a challenge ....

You can get photoshop elements , which is far cheaper I believe than photoshop , if your P.C can run older versions it will cost you even less . I am a fairly knowledgeable photographer and it does more than I need .

https://business.currys.co.uk/catalogue/computing/software/imaging-design-software/adobe-photoshop-elements-2022/N588479W?cidp=Froogle&gclid=721a6511284c1b8be2100753da4bb277&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=721a6511284c1b8be2100753da4bb277