The Energon Pub

News Credits: 3600 · by **Seibertron** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:43 pm

Lighting.

I haven't quite figured out yet how to do a properly lighted Fort Max gallery. I know the lighting isn't always perfect in my galleries but for the most part, it's pretty good. Fort Max just exceeds the limitations of what my gallery setup can do. I think in order to do the Fort Max gallery properly, I will need to upgrade my photogallery setup and possibly need to get a bigger area to work for when he's in battle station mode and city mode. I'm open to suggestions if you've dabbled with photography a bit. I think I'm going to need to get more powerful lights and hang some sheets around the table setup to get some reflective light on him instead of direct light. The rest of the galleries would also benefit from that kind of a setup as well.

Here are some teaser Fort Max pics that I took last night while working on the Spark Blue Soundwave gallery. I thought I'd take a few practice photos of the big guy while I had him down from his usual perch on the top of my book shelf overlooking my apartment.

Oh, and another reason: he's dirty!!!

by **Sentinel Pax** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:00 pm

Oh...I was hoping it was because you'd been secretly doing the Dinobots galleries, haha. But this is a good reason, too.

by **lanzajr26** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:07 pm

Yeah I can see how he'd create some problems

Thanks by the way for all the great galleries, they've been a huge help to me.

by **Sportimus Prime** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:19 pm

Angle the two side lights at about 140-160 degrees from eat other, and get another light for the center to lessen the shadows. I'd probably use another background other than white since it tends to bleach out his white parts like his upper legs.

by **zemper** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:47 pm

wow... so he really IS huge... :shock:

good work on the galleries seibs! true fan of your photos in here. keep it up. ;)^

News Credits: 7 · by **Geekee1** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:54 pm

Try getting a box light Ryan. It's more diffuse and will have a larger area. It should prevent hot spots. And as you said you could probably hang some sheets in the background, just make sure that they're pressed very well. And if the seams show I could help you out with the photoshopping.

News Credits: 9 · by **Zeds** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:59 pm

Awesome pics as always and once they are complete it will make an awesome gallery alongside all the rest.

by **Maldroth** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:05 pm

how tall is he? I remember really wanting one as a kid but wow the box must be 3 feet tall.

News Credits: 1 · by **D-340** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:27 pm

I'd go with a black background with Fort Max. You wouldn't catch shadows with him then. And angle the lights like Sportimus Prime said. That should help. I'd really love to see you do a Fort Max gallery, he's one of my all time favs.

Oh, and for the love of Primus, clean him up man. :lol:

Though, I shouldn't talk. Mine's covered in dust as well.

News Credits: 1082 · by **Tigertrack** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:47 pm

D-340 wrote:I'd go with a black background with Fort Max. You wouldn't catch shadows with him then. And angle the lights like Sportimus Prime said. That should help. I'd really love to see you do a Fort Max gallery, he's one of my all time favs.

Oh, and for the love of Primus, clean him up man. Though, I shouldn't talk. Mine's covered in dust as well.

I was thinking about a black background because of the large white and light colored parts. Not showing up too well.

Cool pics with ML Soundwave.

News Credits: 26 · by **Wheeljack35** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:49 pm

Maldroth wrote:how tall is he? I remember really wanting one as a kid but wow the box must be 3 feet tall.

Its 2 ft tall

Geez I wish I bought one back in the day

News Credits: 23 · by **Prime Evil** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 9:17 am

Seibertron wrote:Oh, and another reason: he's dirty!!!

Ya could always send him over to my place and I could clean him for ya. I mean, I would hope that the post office wouldn't lose him when I send him back however... :twisted:

News Credits: 104 · by **Cyber Bishop** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 9:30 am

My fort max is dirty as well. I constantly have to dust him.

News Credits: 5 · by **decepticonjon** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:36 am

oh, i thought you were going to say: "because i don't have one. so someone should gimme one."
at least, that's what i would've done
can't wait to see him sooner than later

News Credits: 10 · by **Lapse Of Reason** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:45 pm

A large photo light tent would be a good choice. Then you could add more lights, including one from above. The light tent will diffuse the light, resulting in less glare and an overall better photo. I usually use one for my photos.

You can get them on eBay for around $25 plus shipping.

For Fort Max you will need at least a 36" cube.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dl ... category0=

News Credits: 7 · by **shortround** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 4:06 pm

The black backround might cause his dark blue areas to blend into the backround more depending on how soft the light you use is. But yes I would go with a softer light and something other than your tipical white backround. Not sure what color would help show off every aspect of the character my recomdantion is use photoshop to change the backaround color till find the right color for this figure. Then go from there.