Guidebook photos vs website pics

[Saito2]

Since this involves both vintage and re-release models I figured it might belong in General discussion. One of the many great aspects of Tamiya RC was lusting over the wonderful photos in the RC guidebooks (and catalogs). I'm not sure what it was about them that seem to capture the imagination. They did not seem toy-like at all, rather very professional, almost adult. Often one would see the model with and without its body on. The lighting focused on the model and faded to darkness in the background. The light was warm and seemed to make the models and their colors glow.

I'm sorry, but the pics on Tamiya's website are awful. They are stark and cold, bathed in harsh light. They don't seem as desirable when displayed like this. The colors look garish and the plastics look cheapened. Basically, it looks like a toy.

I'm know I'm a biased nostalgia nut, but does anybody else notice this?

[moffman]

Since this involves both vintage and re-release models I figured it might belong in General discussion. One of the many great aspects of Tamiya RC was lusting over the wonderful photos in the RC guidebooks (and catalogs). I'm not sure what it was about them that seem to capture the imagination. They did not seem toy-like at all, rather very professional, almost adult. Often one would see the model with and without its body on. The lighting focused on the model and faded to darkness in the background. The light was warm and seemed to make the models and their colors glow.

I'm sorry, but the pics on Tamiya's website are awful. They are stark and cold, bathed in harsh light. They don't seem as desirable when displayed like this. The colors look garish and the plastics look cheapened. Basically, it looks like a toy.

I'm know I'm a biased nostalgia nut, but does anybody else notice this?

I totally agree with you I've got a few of the old tamiya's rc guide books of the 80's (the ones with the bigwig, SRB's etc ) and a few weeks ago I bought the 2015/16 guide book and although very good and glossy it just isn't like the original's and like I've said before on the forum who the photographer that took the photo's of the sand scorcher re-re and the super hotshot they look awful! Especially the sand scorcher who in tamiya looked at that and said "yep go with that for the promotional shot", even now when I look at the old guide books I just want every model I see in them!

[Truck Norris]

I think there are a few reasons for this. First of all taste / style / fashion. The current way of doing product photography is to have the item on a plain white background, evenly lit. Back in the 80s and 90s the shots were more staged with the models on wooden planks, often with props like air horns, number plates etc off 1:1 vehicles.

Technological progress with cameras and lighting makes it easy for non-photographers to take the shots, for the modern shots which the lighting is all the same it would just be a case of placing the model in position, checking the settings (which would be the same for every shot) and pressing the shutter. Something anyone could do.

Youy might be aware that digital cameras embed the camera info into the file, and using this I could see that the latest Monster Beetle 2015 promo image was taken with a very modest consumer level lens which shows how even entry level equipment can produce professional results.

The old lighting setup is very dynamic and contrasty with specifically positioned soft lights. They would have all been shot on film too, which would give a different look.

I've been trying to replicate the look, so far I've only made one attempt which resulted in these:

I've just completed another King Cab so I now have two chassis which means I can have a go at doing the shot you mentioned. I'll post the results in my showroom when I've done it

[Saito2]

Exactly moffman. The old photos make you want the product. The new ones are displayed like appliances. Bam! Throw it down and take a pic. Take it or leave it. Those are some very nice shots Truck Norris. They look like art. Very professional. I suppose you're right. Part of it is changing style and taste. I do miss (like you mentioned) how each year's newest and best buggy or truck got a full page photo. The trucks often got props like the Clod and Bullhead while the buggies just did with a body-less (sometimes wheel-less) chassis companion to the completed model. The Avante and Egress ones are particularly beautiful.

[beefmuffin]

I've just completed another King Cab so I now have two chassis which means I can have a go at doing the shot you mentioned. I'll post the results in my showroom when I've done it

I think u should do a whole series of these for a bunch of different models. A Monster Beetle shoot with candy apples is something I would want to look at every day for the rest of my pre- and probably even post-singularity existence. TC could make a wall calendar featuring them.

It really does go along with Saito2's observation in this thread. I love the old guidebooks. With their physically rendered cross-sections, Steve Zissou style. It's depressing that there is nothing like that being produced now. Maybe Tamiya themselves should pay attention - so much of their current appeal is retro-oriented. Embrace it all the way, Big T.

[GregM]

I like the old photos. They are nice.

But they have one drawback, their dark backgrounds obscure the contours of the vehicles shown. What is still okay when viewing in a printed catalogue is not acceptable when browsing through web catalogues on a computer screen, smartphone or tablet. This is where plain white backgrounds with high contrasts plays out its advantages to present products.