Bill,
This brings up a situation that I was faced with every year while
photographing the contest models. There are three ways to cover that
part of the convention--1) photograph the models on the tablecloth with
the lighting provided by the hotel (the easiest but worst choice), 2)
drag my lighting gear around the tables to each model (tons of issues
there, so I only did that with very large models aka Keith Thompson's
station in Mass.) or, 3) set up a nice background, my lighting gear and
bring the model to the set that I had built. Every year that I was
involved, option # 3 was the choice. I (or in some cases Dick Karnes)
gently moved the model to the set and returned it. I took the risk of
tripping and dumping a model to the ground, but good fortune, and steady
hand brought a perfect result. The NASG got a higher level of work and
others could later enjoy the models in print.
It's obvious once you look at how others worked this situation is also
where the results speak for themselves. I think it's pretty much a
'thing' about trust and I thank everyone over the past 20-25 years for
that trust. I don't recall ever seeing a 'do not touch' notice, but if
I would have, of course, would have honored that request and not
bothered to photograph the model.
When I did the same thing for the Sn3 Symposiums of the past, we asked
the various modelers to move their model into position. That works in
an open room, but the NASG has a closed door policy that prevents that.
This is very much like photographing a wedding (I don't usually do them
for the following reasons); it's like herding cats, I've had ministers,
church mothers and everybody telling me what I can't do, and to hurry up
etc. But a week later they realize their wedding story---was hurried up
and missing chunks of the story. I've always strived to document fine
modeling in a professional manner with the least amount of comprise!
Many of those models are now preserved long after being sold on e-bay or
even the demise of the modeler!
Bob Werre
PhotoTraxx
I am not implying the judges at Scranton would be disrespectful or eat
potato chips and handle models. I spent a reasonable amount of time
fixing my 5495 just a few days before going. I all but broke off the
cab wind deflector assembling it for the first time so that had to be
fixed. It is just my way of "do not touch" at all times. If the
modeler needs to show full the underbody it would be displayed with a
mirror somehow. If I lost points for my do not touch sign so be it.
Thank You,
Bi ll Lane
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