I use a folding table to setup my scenes and take my pictures. I also use a regular tripod and a mini tripod, depending on what shots I want or need to take and where I want the camera to be.

For a camera, I used to use a Nikon Coolpix 4300 that I was borrowing from work. I've since bought my own camera, which is an Olympus Camedia C7000. I love it, so glad that I bought it.



If you mean do I shoot outdoors, then no. I don't live somehwere that I can easily take my toys outside to take pictures, and I'm not willing to haul them off somewhere to do it. If I need an obvious outdoor shot I'll do my best to recreate it indoors, or photoshop whatever I need to compensate.



Most of the pics I take are for my dio's, or typical family pics. I've only had the camera for a little over 2 months, so I'm still new with it. Chapter 5 of my dio was really the first time I got to using it.



Nothing, really. I manipulate the background and figures to fit in with the scene I want to do. Thats pretty much it. It might take me a long while to get the shot, for example [img=http://www.cobrabivouac.com/dios/DOF/Chap5/5-23.jpg]this pic of Roadblock[/img] reacting to brawler took me almost an hour to get, because I wanted it to look a certain way, and the other 25 shots I took to get this one just didn't look as good as I thought this one did, and the lighting didn't match the other shots.

That said, I'm not a professional by any means, and I never had a photography class. I don't get insane over the 'perfect shot' because to me that turns it into work, and once I stop seeing doing dios as fun is when I need to find something else to help me relax.

The whole point in doing a diostory is to entertain and tell your story. More so, to enjoy GI Joe in a whole different way. If I'm going to spend energy obsessing over any part of the process, it will be the story itself and not the picture. That isn't saying that I'm lazy about the picture taking process, but my focus (hah hah geek joke) is more the story and the pics are secondary.

I'd rather have you (the reader) concentrate on my story rather than how much in perspective a particular scene is, because when it comes down to it its not special fx or flashy photography (hah...another geek joke) that makes the story good, it's the story itself.

Just my 2 cents though.

dan

Well, I've got an update to crazy stuff I've done for the sake of a dio...

In this sequence that I posted in another thread:

http://www.generalsjoes.com/diorama...niontest-2.html

As an after effect, the COBRA vehicle that blew up needed to be in pieces on the ground...I was trying to take the canopy off, but it just wouldn't come. I looked at the connections, and tugged a little harder... and *SNAP*. :(

I busted the canopy off...I kind of knew it was coming, but I really wanted the shot, so I did it anyway. Of course the vehicle wasn't in the best of shape anyway, and you can still hook the canopy in half way and it looks all right on display. :)

Justin

Those Snow Serpents are really getting some air. Great Shot.

I dont even own a camera, I just happen to have a few friends that are photography majors at my school, and they all have awesome rigs. I have no issues with using photoshop because it is one of my main tools for my regular works, and it lets me take shots at home instead of traveling across the city to the park with all of my toys. Either that or stick to a strictly urban setting for everything. Alley Vipers ahoy.

(also, Hi guys I'm new, hopefully I'll be able to get something up that you'll enjoy)

Welcome aboard, that pic you already posted on the front page looks really good. Nice to see a new face around here too.

I got here from your Dio's, if I screw up, its your fault okay? :)

Well, new on that forum but not new in making Dios... :)

About tools, I'm using Olympus Camedia C-300 and have table tripod always near me. No other photo stuff, simply too expensive.

I ONLY shoot my pictures outdoors. Yes I know I have to take my collection with me wehere I'm going but that's no problem, really. Although it's sometimes a lot of carring. But I'm not taking shots in public places like parks etc. I have one countryside house and constantly I'm seeking for new, a bit isolated places.
All the effects I'm trying to make in real world. Have no big skills in any photo editor, so I'm just making small corrections in them and add some muzzle fire and text.

And about hardest things to do.. Really not much, but my "Arctic Meltdown" dio-story (completely unavailable on the net) was made in about -10 deg. C. It's kinda hard to re-poze Joes while you can't move your fingers...

And one more thing - my dio-stories are bound to have less Joes and mostly single Joes if we're talking 'bout Cobra. It's Poland, Joes were never so popular here and due to amount of Joes available on PL market - army building is simply impossible and someona having two ver.1 Snow Serpents is a man who is really lucky. (Let alone two COMPLETE Snow Serpents. Dunno if there's anybody like that...)

I'm new here (1st post) and am also pretty new at Dios, so what a topic to introduce myself :D

What kind of tools and such do you incorporate into your photography?
Camera, a Fujifilm FinePix A120 Digital camera. I can't afford anything expensive... or a Tripod or the like, just me, the camera and my shakey hands. But I'm not complaining, some of my shots look a bit duff, but some look great (IMHO)

Do you create actual effects in the real world? Or maybe Photoshop is your forte?
Photoshop for SFX (you really can tell), I again can't afford anything to use, and don't want to risk damaging/marking my joes (I don't have many yet... around 80 figures max :( 22 being CGs) by doing anything with them. But stuff like outdoor shots ( http://cobrarevival.sitesled.com/chp2one for a chapter shot solely outside) I do in the garden, it's big enough for some disance shots and broken concrete slabs and tree cuttings are useful. For some interior shots I use Star Wars playsets, cardboard comic boxes, plain paper and some sheets of card with the wall patterns on (from this site). I'm now on the lookout for odd bits of plumbing or fixings a work (cashier for a DIY store) which would look usefull.

Do you consider yourself an amateur (maybe semi-pro or pro) photographer or do you only pick up the camera to create your Dio-stories?
Only for Dios and other randomthings like Holiday or pictures of my guitar.

What's the strangest (or Hardest) thing you've ever done to capture a perfect shot?
I usually do a top-down angle for obvious reasons and not really wanting to dig a hole in the garden as my parents would kill me(only 17) I had to let's say lie down with the camera on the floor twisting my neck and arms around in the most uncomfortable position possible. But meh, I take around five shots a time and choose the best angle, it's rare that I like the first shot that I take.

note-I've only become really into Joes early this year, and my collection is slowly going, so I don't really have named characters (heck the only Dukes I have are that chunky silver robo version and the just-plain-wrong JvC version) and mainly singles of Cobra ranks (one Techno, Tele, Alley and Toxo vipers) It's great having nearly four times more elite Crimson gaurds than standard infantry <_<
Joes weren't really too big over here (UK) we had Action Force (with some cool exclusives like TF Psyche-out), but very few people I know played with them, it's all carboot sales and eBay.

Welcome aboard Raven!

>What kind of tools and such do you incorporate into your photography?

Basically just overhead lighting - no tripod or anything as yet, but I'm looking to upgrade my camera so we'll see. Unfortunately my current camera has been dropped numerous times so pic quality is variable to say the least.


>Do you create actual effects in the real world? Or maybe Photoshop is your forte?

Bit of both - I had to teach myself how to use photoshop (without a manual) so it was an interesting experience... But I've got the hang of it now. If I can do the shot in the 'real' world, I prefer it to photoshopping.


>Do you consider yourself an amateur (maybe semi-pro or pro) photographer or do you only pick up the camera to create your Dio-stories?

Not pro, but I took photography in school so I somewhat know what I'm doing.


>What's the strangest (or Hardest) thing you've ever done to capture a perfect shot?

Probably for my JTV episode where the Noks are in the coffee shop, fortunately it was early Saturday morning so no one was about, but it was weird shooting in the middle of a shopping centre.

Here's my studio in all it's glory!

It'll be getting an expansion once my DTC stuff arrives, with a permanent set up for Phil's house, the bar/cafeteria and a share house for some new characters.

I love my Photoshop, as you may have guessed if you've seen my pics! A small yard is the main reason; limited dio opportunities means photoshop gives me the chance to do pics I wouldn't otherwise be able to contemplate.
I admire the guys who use little or no Photoshop enhancement, and natural shots certainly look more believable, but I couldn't have done my Night Raven pics any other way.