For Those About To Mech, We Salute You

[Legodac]

For Those About To Mech,    WE  SALUTE  YOU !!!   

Initial inspiration came from Jayko and of course, Blade’s contest.

I used the human forklift from the movie Aliens, as a starter guide…

As the evolution of building dictated, I strayed from the original concept

My Mech needed a ride, and a chopper was the way to go…

Please join in on Blade’s Mech contest, I mean hey, the more the merrier, have fun eh! Btw, this is not entered.

[MsRowdyRedhead]

That's pretty cool, legodac!!  You have a great imagination, and A+ building skillz.

[Jayko]

Very awesome! Loved how you combined technic and regular bricks! 5 stars!

[Legodac]

Thanks very much Brickers, your comments made my day. Jarren, your comment is aspecially welcome, considering your superior skills. Thankyou Msrr and R8, btw R8, I don't know exactly how to put my finger on the answer to that question. I was very pleased with how the model turned out, yet I was dissapointed with the photos, they didn't seem to do it justice.

[Wantija$$$]

It's a great creation, I like the way it's designed and how it has it's own  uniquely designed motorcycle. And about the pictures, I can't take very good ones either. I'd suggest you get something like a tripod to support the camera so the pictures are less blurry.

[Jayko]

Thanks very much Brickers, your comments made my day. Jarren, your comment is aspecially welcome, considering your superior skills. Thankyou Msrr and R8, btw R8, I don't know exactly how to put my finger on the answer to that question. I was very pleased with how the model turned out, yet I was dissapointed with the photos, they didn't seem to do it justice.

I wouldn't say I have superior skills, I don't think I would have thought of even half of the techniques you used! (probably far less than half)

A few tips I find with photography.
1. Use a tripod, or rest the camera on something, this helps prevent blurriness.
2. Try to use room light, or another light source instead of the camera flash, which often washes out close up images.
3. I like using a background color that contrasts with the model, but still complements it. (Such as a yellow or tan background for a mostly red model)
4. If you have access to lots of desk laps, you could try to set up an "infinite white background" by setting up a curved piece of white poster board behind the model, and lighting that up, and then setting other lamps to light the main model. (note: i have never tried this, due to my lack of desk lamps, and cash to buy them.)

[Legodac]

Hey Jayko, thanks buddy, and thankyou too Wantija, you have both made me rethink my creative reporting process, I speak of my current picture taking talents of course. I'm heading off to Rona in the morning to get some electrical supplies to do a small job for a good friend tomorrow. I'll be picking up some photo backgrounds in the form of bristle board as well. Btw, what is a desk lap? Never heard of such a thing.

I'll share something else interesting, while reading your post, I decided to have another look at your profile here. I then decided to check out your MLN page, havn't got there yet. When I logged onto Lego, I decided to do a little surfing first. First I checked out the Gallery to see if my username still brings up all my creations, it does.

I then checked out this http://creator.lego.com/en-us/Designers/Default.aspx  which I found kinda cool, seeing the similarities with my own model, first time I ever saw this, makes me thing like my calling may be at hand soon.

Thanks again everyone, and to all, I made this mech to promote Blade's contest and perhaps to get a few more entries, so that the spirit of competition remains alive in MLNO.

[Jayko]

Hey Jayko, thanks buddy, and thankyou too Wantija, you have both made me rethink my creative reporting process, I speak of my current picture taking talents of course. I'm heading off to Rona in the morning to get some electrical supplies to do a small job for a good friend tomorrow. I'll be picking up some photo backgrounds in the form of bristle board as well. Btw, what is a desk lap? Never heard of such a thing.

I'll share something else interesting, while reading your post, I decided to have another look at your profile here. I then decided to check out your MLN page, havn't got there yet. When I logged onto Lego, I decided to do a little surfing first. First I checked out the Gallery to see if my username still brings up all my creations, it does.

I then checked out this http://creator.lego.com/en-us/Designers/Default.aspx  which I found kinda cool, seeing the similarities with my own model, first time I ever saw this, makes me thing like my calling may be at hand soon.

Thanks again everyone, and to all, I made this mech to promote Blade's contest and perhaps to get a few more entries, so that the spirit of competition remains alive in MLNO.

A desk lamp is simply a small light that sits on a desk, or table. Here are a bunch of different types available from amazon http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=1063292, but they should be available from any home improvement store.

[Legodac]

Man, do I feel silly, your typo threw me into stupidness, when you said "Desk Lap", Haha, lol... , I'll check that site soon, right now, I am doing some modifications, check out the new pics man, then I'm uploading to my LU module in MLN and then the Gallery @ Lego.com

[MsRowdyRedhead]

One thing I have found helpful is to have a solid background.. white, dark blue, or other depending on the bricks.  Sometimes I use my white tiled kitchen counter, and sometimes I use a sheet or table cloth hung behind.

JUst as often I just snap, and I usually do not get the clarity I had hoped for.

[Legodac]

I know how you feel, though perhaps I can give a piece of advice of my own, there is no better lighting scheme then daylight itself. I have been looking back at my favourite pics, and almost always, the great outdoors was where I was.

Shadows in daylight usually come from trees, not from your head...
Illumination is throughout the model, even in the most extreme...
Daylight and a cool background will be the way of the Jedi, Oops, will be the way I will be going...

Thanks to all for keeping this topic alive, afterall, sharing is cool, sharing the coolest is simply awesome.

Great models and great pics, this is my first love

[Jayko]

Man, do I feel silly, your typo threw me into stupidness, when you said "Desk Lap", Haha, lol... , I'll check that site soon, right now, I am doing some modifications, check out the new pics man, then I'm uploading to my LU module in MLN and then the Gallery @ Lego.com

Lol! Sorry about that!

[Flipz]

Great mech, Legodac!

One tip for LEGO photography: for many models (especially when I am photographing detail and/or minifigures), you should put the camera into Macro mode, so it will focus properly on the model (otherwise it tends to focus past the model, which is bad.  Like, really bad.).  The macro button on many digital cameras has a little cartoon flower on or near it; old-school film cameras may or may not have a macro mode, check your owner's manual for help there.

[Legodac]

Thanks Flipz for your comment and advice, greatly apreciated man 

[CheshireCat150]

Wow. Does Legodac ever fail to have cool LEGO models?  Keep them coming!

Yes, taking pictures of your LEGO creations can often be disappointing. Usually for me it is because the flash bounces off the plastic too dramatically, or the model looks more like a blur. Often I find the hardest challenge is capturing minifig faces. I think your pictures look pretty good, but I guess I can't compare them to the actual models.

When I take pictures of my LEGO creations (which is often because I document them on the NXTLOG), I use a bold blanket as the background. For the camera setting, I select the close-up mode, stand back a distance, then zoom in. That way, it is focused on the object but the flash isn't bad. I'm sure that isn't the best way of doing it, but this way works fine for me! 

Again, cool creation! 

[Legodac]

Good advice buddy, thankyou, and for the compliments as well, oh, and welcome to MLNO  . I know when I look at your profile, I will remember you and your models from MLN.