So, what do you think the best approach is to making a base to set your models on for photos?
I want a base that's simple, visually interesting - but not more so than the model, and the base needs to be big enough for a range of different models... i.e military motorbike to a 6x6 truck.
I was thinking something like a flat piece of land, with a half destroyed building or a crumbling wall on one side... as opposed to a flat chunk of grass (too boring )
Do any of you think this would work? Do you have any bases you use for photography?

YodaMan

Yoda - look at DIGITAL DIAMOND #5 ( I think!)... it has a really neat way to cheaply create bases for your models... using plaster and plastic containers you probably throw away all the time! I created a stone road, and glued some wall sections behind the back edge which is pretty generic - fits anyplace or time in Europe from France to the Eastern Block from 1920-1950. This bases are so cheap and easy to build, you could easily knock out several in one week. - Keith

Thanks Magee! It's amazing how often I forget that this site has dozens of great how-to articles!
So, you find a plastic lid from something, fill it with plaster and there you have a base. Simple! I'll probably just make a flat base for starters, no cobblestone, and create a dirt road with a stone wall next to it. Sounds generic enough, huh? :-)
I think this'll be a side project as I work on my Corsair for the group A/C build. (that's right, I'm abandoning the Banshee - it's not worth the effort!)
What kind of groundwork materials should I use? Could I use the Woodland Scenics stuff that's for model railroads? This will be my first dio, if you can't tell.

YodaMan

I saw some awesome stuff at this link, I think it was woodland scenics .

http://www.hometown-hobbies.com/woodland_scenics_

I'm about to start my first Dio also, good luck.

Thanks Josenhans! :-)
Seeing those scenes gave me some ideas. I'd like to try the snow... but I don't think an Afrika Korps halftrack would fit in on a snowy road. (once I actually start building the halftrack anyway!)
I know they've got som of the Woodland Scenics stuff at my local hobby shpo, so it'll be easy to get to.

YodaMan

Yoda, in the M48 article I did I described how I made the simple base for it.

Hi Yoda
One of the first sites I found when I started modelling a year ago was Doc´s dios. Brilliant ideas and tips for dios and I still refer to it and send people there. A must for a good explanation of tips and advice. Maybe somebody has a link to handy as Im at work at the moment
Frank