Roswell '98: 1/72 Post Apoc (XR Bandit update)

[Mr. White]

Just received my Jon Hodgson Backdrop books.
Snapped off a quick lunchtime photo previewing my next gang.

[Pattus Magnus]

Nice! That page definitely fits with the theme. Your figures certainly look good!

[Mr. White]

Thanks!
I wasn’t sure if your zombies (that look great!) we’re in front of a Hodgson backdrop, but flipping through the sci-fi book, I see they are.

Next, I gotta read up on the suggested photography tips.

[mikedemana]

Love the backdrop. I should probably start doing something like that instead of my plan black backdrop...

Mike Demana

[Pattus Magnus]

I definitely have been having fun with the backdrop books, including in the pictures of the zombies. So far, all I have been doing is propping it open, with a mat in front, and plonking some figures in front. The difference backdrops in each book go a long way toward setting a tone for the pictures.

All that said, it’s even better when there’s some scatter pieces as well, and you have a great collection to go with your figures!

[Mr. White]

Yeah, I don't think I'm going all in on photography. I don't want to buy a light box or special camera or anything, just do what I can with my phone, this book, and my models.

I do see a few items I'll try to be aware of next time:

* The rock formation and model on the right are casting shadows on the backdrop image. Preventing any sort of shadow may be difficult.
* I laid my phone on it's side and it looks like the camera was on the top side. These are 1/72 models so the angle is from above. I'll try flipping the phone on the other side and see if I can get a more "front on" shot.
* dodgy paint job...harder to correct

[Mr. White]

Love the backdrop. I should probably start doing something like that instead of my plan black backdrop...

Mike Demana

But your tables look so good I don't know that a backdrop would further enhance the pics.

[mikedemana]

Aww, thanks guys! But Mr. White is the star of this show. We all are inspired by his Roswell '98 project... 

Mike Demana

[Mr. White]

Almost two and a half years ago, I created a few ninja vehicles for Gaslands. At the same time, I put together some foot models to go along with those rides, but I never got around to needing them. Well, since then Xenos Rampant has come out, and we’ve started developing some light house rules for pedestrian models in Gaslands. The time was right to get some ninja on-foot models ready for Roswell ’98.



Now, adding Ninja to Roswell ’98 comes close to making it a kitchen sink setting. I’m very cognizant of this. I’m generally not a fan of those sort of all-in-one settings. To me, it feels like if your setting is “everything”, it’s really “nothing”. That said… as another of those darn 80’s kids… I have to include Ninjas. The two on the ends are from Zvezda. The three in the middle are from the Dark Alliance Stalkers box with the Mini Gun Samurai having a head swap from a Caesar 1/72 samurai.



Not wanting to be too tied into looking like GI Joe, I skipped the obvious Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow paint schemes and did the whole gang up in colors closer to the often neglected Budo. So, browns and greens with a little red or white trim. Plus, I already had those motorcycle ninjas in green based on the green ninja in Ninja III: The Domination.



I’ve only done five of these models at the moment. They’ll make a good Recon Infantry unit for games of XR.



Adding a second picture here because I’m undecided if those painted backdrops work for larger group shots. I think they might not. The models have to be compressed in, plus you can’t really do this kind of top-down angle,

Oh, it looks like my foot ninjas are actually in a different shade of green then the bike ninjas. oops. I mean… They’re a bit more muted because they had to drop and roll when their bikes wrecked. Their ninja gi are dusted from rolling about the desert. Yeah…that’s the ticket!

[CapnJim]

A.  the minis look quiet nice.

As for backdrops, I think the painted ones look better from lower angle shots.  But that's just my $.02

[mikedemana]

Looking great! I like the tight shot with the small group, too...

Mike Demana

[Mr. White]

Sounds like I'm good to stick with the lower, ~15degree angle with the backdrop and move away from the higher angle shots.

Thanks, both!

[Mr. White]

So, what you're telling me is _some_ of these Battletech mechs can work alongside 1/72 minis? Used as Single Model Units each, they can turn a Recon Unit of 5 models into a full Xenos Rampant detachment? Well...including a few bikes I already had for Gaslands.

Maybe these get rebased or paint colors touched up? Maybe this turns my table too much into sci-fi though? And it would only seem to work on mechs that can look like they're autonomous robots and not piloted. Like the Grasshopper mech on the right. Otherwise, they'll look out of scale.

[Pattus Magnus]

I think those mechs fit in seamlessly as autonomous or remotely piloted war ‘bots.

You could use them to boost the numbers in an infantry unit, or deploy each of them as a single model unit. They certainly look like they could soak up a lot of small arms fire.

[Mr. White]

I agree. They do look like they can absorb some damage. Single Model Units will probably be the way to go.

I _love_ the idea of remotely piloted. I might have to see if I can convert some models tinkering with remote controllers or something.