You’ve maybe found this blog while looking for something that brings your hobby of model making together with a need to take better photographs; or you may have just stumbled across it by chance while browsing for newish scale modelling related content, so thank-you for stopping by regardless.
So, what is/was Scale-in-Focus all about?
Designed initially to bring together the craft-based skills and arguable ‘artistry’ of scale modelling (spoiler: It’s not ‘art’ but it is a craft in all its glorious sub-cultures) with modern photography, and expand our abilities and skills to enhance our enjoyment of what should be a relaxing, absorbing, fun/infuriating pastime.
Essentially it’s a place to discover or reinforce some basic photography knowledge, and learn a bit more about light and colour, those essential but so often misunderstood building blocks of photography AND model making.
If you’re still reading: Did I mention cost?
It’s also about doing this awesome photography thing on a limited budget, and making the most of our financial resources in these increasingly difficult times, where many people have to look closely at their budget (many once desirable kits are beyond my means) and questioning just how much they can afford to spend on the hobby. I wrote that sentence several years ago when the world was beset by global fiscal austerity measures. Little did I realise that it would return, only this time its just plain old greed that’s the issue.
Food or hobby, hmm? It’s not funny Mr. greedhead ‘politician’. (you’re not really a politician though are ya eh, yeah we know what you are sonny).
Buying a new or even pre-owned camera and other ‘pro’ gear such as fancy photography lights might also seem a bit mad in these mad times but believe me similar results can be had and done on the cheap and getting some fundamentally good quality gear is a sound investment if your spending pennies will stretch to them.
The camera doesn’t have to cost the earth, and we’ll look at how smart-phone imaging can be a viable solution and starting point.
Free stuff!
The main point of this blog is publish excerpts from my photography manual as a part works to show how we can extract the maximum value from our (increasingly expensive) kits and all that ‘essential’ powder and paint, resin, finishing stuff and bits and bobs, and find added value to the hobby.
We can do this by using our existing cameras such as the much maligned smartphone (yes it is a proper camera), or that old film SLR or point and shoot instamatic which has been sulking in the cupboard for yonks too.
The main aim here is to expand our enjoyment, and realise that the model making process doesn’t have to finish with that last coat of clear varnish and the inevitable placement on the ‘dusty shelf of forgetting’.
We can really look at a project at the outset and think about how we can expand this creative process to extract the most out of our build project to include good image making opportunities along the way, with the aim of taking some awesome images of the finished article as the real end point.
This approach says we need to move away from the social media pressures of supplying the voracious appetites of our online ‘buddies’, with hastily grabbed blurry phone shots, and instead take great documentary images of our creations for our own needs, regardless of the level of skill or where we are on our model making journey. We can then choose to share these when we are ready.
We also need to move away from that “my models aren’t good enough for a great photo, so why bother?” mindset too. They are all worthy – even the ones with wrinkly decals, smudged canopies and popped seams . . .
Of course this change to our thinking all needs a little bit more planning and forethought, but isn’t that what we modellers like to do? We love to plan out and research our subjects, and many of us spend more time acquiring resources and references that actually building – it all about adding to the joy – oh and learning something new or adding to and honing old skills.
Thanks for stopping by and best wishes for your hobbyist endeavours.
Stay well, safe, strong | kia kaha noho kaha.
All content copyright Aviagrafik 2025.
Scale in Focus 