Tabletop Photo Backdrops From Hangar 18 Miniatures

[Gary D]

For those of us that aren't that computer savvy, this is a great idea! It'll make a nice change to the plain light blue paper background I have been using. Set up is obviously easy and in seconds you can be taking remarkable photos. As for the cost, I've paid $14.99 for a tube of oil paint so what's the big deal? I wish I had thought of this!

Gary

 

[Gra30]

A great idea and best wishes, but believe me, the CAMERA is the most important.

My lovely wife bought me an EOS a few years ago and it paid for itself in months without any pre designed backgrounds, my worry is that people will think this produces great results instantly.
Now if marketed with a quality camera and tuition DVD and instructions for figure modellers, PERFECT.
As the Den would say, combine with a major firm, give free and take royalties, you would sell millions.
ANDREA !!!!!!!!!

 

[Mark S]

Nice idea, I'd like to see them a little larger, wider and longer that is.
Also I know you mentioned they were fabric but can they be backlit ?....that is, would I be able to see a soft lighting effect through the fabric from behind if I wanted it. I hope that's clear enough.

 

[Mark S]

And BTW, is that glare on the original photos or do they have lighter centres printed into the design?

 

[Babelfish]

2. I did not say heartless rip off I said rip off.

Well you actually said "grossly overpriced rip-off" but hey! Let's not split hairs eh?!

If these guys can get $15 a shot for these very good luck to them.

In which case your problem is what exactly?

They have not cornered the market because there is no real market.

As far as I'm aware this hasn't been done before specifically for miniatures, so their eventual sales figures will determine whether there's a market or not.

There are commercial light cubes and lots of people make their own out of household items. There are commercial back cloths and lots of people make their own. There is Photoshop (expensive) and freeware options (much cheaper).

Ah ... so there is a market after all!

Banging on about prices in the Dominican Republic meaningless really. I've never been to the Dom Rep but I would imagine that most things are a lot cheaper there. I also had a chuckle when you said you'd rather spend $74.99 on a "quality figure". Because a lot of people outside the hobby would consider that a "grossly overpriced rip-off" ("cor blimey, you paid XXX for a few little bits of metal / resin in a poxy cardboard box .... they saw ya comin' mate!"). This I know because I've heard it all myself and from talking to others, I know ain't the only one!

Sure there are probably cheaper solutions but aren't there always? Personally (and without having seen and handled one) my own feeling is that if I saw one of these backdrops at a show and the quality seemed OK, I'd probably take a punt on one at that price just to try it out. US$ 14.99 is what - 9 GBP give or take a few pence at the current exchange rate? For a one-off purchase that could potentially last me a modelling lifetime, I don't think that's too bad (you can pay more for a single W&N Series 7 brush).

I apologise unreservedly if my comments have offended but I stand by them.

You exercised your right to free speech Ken and expressed your opinion, and I don't think that anyone on here would have it any other way!

I personally just think that a simple "good idea but it seems way too pricey to me for what it is, so I think I'll pass" (or something along those lines) would have done the job just as well.

- Steve

 

[Gra30]

I for one don't think $15 is too bad, for what looks like quality useful product.

Actually it's a pretty damned clever idea for a product, and definitely a corner of the market that has not yet been explored. Entrepreneurship should be encouraged and I applaude your efforts.

Ken,

Since you feel this is such a heartless rip off, and you can get the same product for next to nothing, how about you take a page out of the good ol' American playbook and start your own product line and sell it for cheaper, thus creating competition and as a result drive the prices down, and all that while making a buck to boot, can't beat that!

Well said Anders, but from previous experience and after sending you polite welcome messages you are not the most welcome either.
Regards

 

[keshley]

Hi Mark,

The backdrops were printed with a touch of vignette - so brighter on the center. I have taken a picture of all the backdrops (with iPhone's camera and under fluorescent light) so you can see what they look like

The 2nd set of picture is to show you how the backdrops look when you lit it from behind. I used the table lamp with its cover removed to show the outcome.

Hope that answers your question

 

[keshley]

Regarding the question on making them in larger size...

Since we are still tasting the water for this kind of product, we think 11 x 17 in should cover most photos for individual figure ranges from 30 - 54mm scale.

Correction: It should be enough for 75 - 200mm individual figure as well. This scale often skips my head because I am mostly painting 30 - 54mm figures

We are already talking about producing larger size to accommodate large models, scale models, vignettes and dioramas. We don't know what the right size for that yet because we need to figure out the packaging as well that can protect the material during shipment (domestic and international). Maybe a tube will work, we'll have to see

 

[Mark S]

Thanks keshley, that answers my questions very well indeed. It's quite clear they can be backlit beautifully.
It is a great product and at first glance originally I thought they were about A4 size but I realise now they are in fact A3 and as you say would be very suitable for a range of smaller scales but I'd still prefer to invest in a larger sheet (at least A2) that would cover all situations. In my own case I would be using them on figures from 54mm all scales up to 1/5 busts and some vignettes. If you have a 120mm figure on a tall wooden base and you wish to photograph the entire piece it can be up to 10 inches tall on it's own and if you allow for the part of the sheet that will go under the figure it's getting a little tight but not impossible. But as I say they are a great product one I'll certainly be considering and I reckon those rigid postal tubes would work very well........cheers and thanks again for showing us, I've saved your site.

 

[housecarl]

They look really well backlit.
Carl.

 

[keshley]

Point taken on the size for figures mounted on plinths. Once the packaging is set, we will definitely release the next size up soon

 

[Gra30]

Product does look better and better, I really think linked with a big manufacturer it would really take off. Apologies if came across wrong Anders as not my intention and thank you for the message, will reply and also best wishes ( tried to edit but not allowing)
Kindest
Graham

 

[keshley]

Thanks Graham! Glad you like what you see so far. We are planning on offering it to bigger companies/distributorship, but I thought I'd gather some numbers first (size preference, textures, etc) so we can have a solid presentation to them.

I should make a better remark about how these backdrops will make your miniature photos look like it's been taken in professional setting. That was a marketing remark that assumes you have all the proper equipment and setup, but lacking in varieties of backdrop.

To take a good photo, you are required to own a light-sensitive camera (be it an DSLR or not) that can also handle numerous optical zoom level and aperture. But most and foremost for me, is that you must have good lighting. I have taken many decent pictures with just an iPhone in a well lit room.

This backdrops will definitely help in increasing the "mood" of your figures while keeping the richness of the colors you painted on them. The photo samples I posted were not edited in any way. As you can see the colors of the Cthulhu models were not affected by the backdrops. Granted, choose your backdrop color wisely that contrast with the color of the backdrop (aka do not use the yellowish backdrop on a majorly yellow painted miniature)

I hope I clarify it a bit better this time on the purpose of these backdrops

 

[Blue Thunder]

Hi! This seems a great looking novelty!


I would like to ask one question please: What is the raw material these backdrops are made?

Low reflective high grade Poliester, muslin cotton, vinyl? Any other one? And how is the in printing process made? On the outer side, and if so does it have another layer over it? Thank you so much! And best chances for your business!

 

[keshley]

Blue Thunder,

I worked together with other local figure modelers, professional photographers and various printing companies to develop this product. We tried dozens of different type of materials to find the best one that meet the need as a modeler who would like to have a professional looking backdrop to showcase his/her work. The materials you mentioned were some that we tested and none of them came to our satisfactory when come to labor time, material and printing cost, finishing and many other aspects. As for printing, we're using proprietary UV resistant and water resistant pigment inks.

 

[Blue Thunder]

Thank you so much for your reply Keshley! It is great to see a company studing and investing in this field!

Forgive me for the three words I am about to use, but the absorption, emissivity and reflectivity of backdrops varies so much it has such a stunning impact in the photograph output. There are other factors that matter, not the material alone, but also (and highly important) the way it is involving the figure and obviously the light scheme used.

I red past oppinions, and knowing perfectly that in a democratic world we are all so blessed to be allowed to express freely our thoughts, please allow me to say that for high end tinted backdrops these ones are very reasonably priced!


I am not affirming at this stage they are "high end tinted backdrops". For your reply, I am tended to believe so! I know what families of backdrops we are talking about Therefore, here is a product to give it a try! Specially if photography is another hobby of your interests. And please comunity, believe me: you don't need a high end digital full frame camera to take great photos. With a correct environment a modest camera makes wonders!


Belive me guys, the properties of the material have so much impact in your images! Card and stock are miles away when compared to specific backdrop solutions! Let me spent some dines quickly!