Airbrush Color Cup

Airbrush Color Cup

Carrying The Load: Anatomy Of A Stock Photo

 

Overworked Exploding Heads and Too Much Responsibility

 

Not too long ago I blogged about feeling overworked. I illustrated the blog with a stock photo of a man's head exploding. I was mulling that image over in my mind, thinking about whether it would behoove me to create another version.

 

My thoughts morphed from the concept of having too much information, to having too much to do, to carrying to large a load to carrying more than one's share of the work. Certainly a lot of us, I would guess all of us at some point or another, feel like we have to carry too much of that load.

 

Too much weight, too much responsibility, too much everything! And if all of us feel that way, there must be companies that have products and services that help us deal with those situations. Those companies need to advertise their services and products. So how can we create images that will work for them?

 

 

Visually Interesting with a Clear and Compelling Message

 

I came up with the idea of a businessman with his fellow workers all piled onto his back. It is an image that I haven't seen before, is visually interesting, and when accompanied by a headline can have a clear and compelling message. It is also tricky enough, and time-consuming enough, that there aren't going to be a whole lot of people creating the same image. All in all, it sounds like a good stock photo to invest in.

 

 

Images with Environments Bring In More Revenue

 

OK, how to make it? I could shoot it on white…but I have found it to be the case that images with an environment seem to bring in more revenue than those on white. It seems logical that a business environment would be a good one. I don't really want to go out and find an office just for this one shot. The solution, for me, is to create the environment.

 

 

Concept Stock Photos

 

The way I work these days is to come up with a series of concept stock images and shoot the models all in one session, then spend the next week or two doing the composite work. I have a small but serviceable studio (1,100 square feet) in Sausalito, Ca. I have a shooting area, an office, and an extra room for whatever.

 

It was in my studio that I shot a few models in enough poses to create roughly a dozen composite images. You can see that I don't get real picky about backgrounds…sometimes I end up cursing myself for my cavalier attitude! For this image, as you can see, I had my model stand on the floor (he is standing on a discarded piece of white seamless that I was simply too lazy to move) and pretend to hold the models on his back.

They were actually seated on apple crates; except for the one woman who actually was sitting on him piggyback style. I then photographed another model seated on a table. This model is George, a neighbor of mine, who filled-in at the last minute when one of my scheduled models simply failed to show (I hate that!).

 

 

A Cubicle Set and a Quick Test

 

In that "whatever" room in my studio I have a cubicle set up which I sometimes use for a kind of business set. The corner office area was still "dressed" from a previous shoot, and in fact, even my strobes were still in place. This is actually a pretty small room. I pressed myself against one wall and with a 16mm lens fired off a few frames.

 

My idea was to do a quick test to see if the cubicle set would work for this image. I didn't bother moving the storage boxes on the left, which are actually full of transparencies that I don't know what to do with. On the right are some extra cubicle parts piled in the corner.

 

 

Photoshop, Clipping Paths, and Tango Dancers

 

I used the pen tool in Photoshop to create a clipping path around the cubicle walls and foreground, and, after converting the path to a selection with a 1-pixel feather; I did the old "Command-J" to create a new layer.

 

This way I could pick a background and paste it behind the cubicle to provide some sort of larger office environment. After trying a few things out I came across this shot of tango dancers in an office setting. I had shot this a couple of years back in Buenos Aires. I pasted it behind the cubicle, and then made two separate files out of it, one for the right hand wall and one for the left hand wall. I next used the Transform & Distort function to give the walls similar angles to those of the cubicle walls.

 

 

The Extract Filter and Unwanted Hair

 

Next I used the pen tool to create a clipping path around the models. I left extra room around their hair. Again I converted the path to a selection and created a new layer out of the selection. I used the extract filter to eliminate the unwanted areas around the hair. I pasted the group of models into the image of the set, and then pasted George in.

 

I used the liquefy filter to adjust his legs a bit so that he fit in as if he had been also seated on my standing model. I used a combination of adjustment layers (Brightness/Contrast), and airbrush layers (painting black with the airbrush) to light and darken appropriate areas and to add shadows.

 

 

Debris on the Rug and Cloning

 

There was a fair amount of cloning and so forth to clean up the right hand corner of the room, eliminate various imperfections, shoe logos, and debris on the rug. I never did re-shoot the room, just got caught up fixing up the shot I had…oh well!

 

I also had to get rid of some color fringing which I had neglected to do in RAW. I used an airbrush set to "Color" with the opacity set to 50% to accomplish that task.

 

 

Storage Boxes and an Air of Authenticity

 

Once it's complete I have an image that can be cropped vertically for a magazine cover, horizontally for a spread or billboard, or anything in between. There is plenty of room for headlines and body copy. I left the storage boxes in, figuring they lend an air of authenticity to the situation…and can also indicate moving or such; or the end user can easily crop out the boxes.

 

 

A Half day, No a Whole Day!

 

Total imaging time came in at around a half-day, though I keep interrupting the process to check on my web traffic, peruse my e-mail, answer the phone and run to a nearby café for a cup of coffee. The end result is that it takes me a day to do an image like this.

 

Excluding my time, this way of working usually ends up costing me an average of around $100 to $150 per image model fees, props, assistants, shoot food, etc.. In an interesting aside, my most expensive shoots have also tended to return me the most money.

 

 

Management Problems and Fairness in the Workplace

 

The new stock photo is great for dealing with management issues, administration problems, and fairness in the workplace, overworked employees and workplace perceptions. The photo addresses ethnic diversity, gender diversity and age diversity. A creative art director or designer can use a shot like this in ways we could never even imagine. I believe that creating useful, versatile stock photos with impact is a way of providing excellent service to the clients that we, as stock photographers, seldom ever get to meet.

 

 

Royalty Free and Return On Investment

 

I submitted the completed image to Blend Images and it was accepted into the Royalty Free collection. I thought briefly about arguing for Rights Managed, but then decided that perhaps my art director was right, and that it might even do better in RF than RM. At any rate, as more of my concept images go into RF I should get a more concrete idea of which model actually gives me the best return on my investment. We will see…

About the Author

Circuit board pics: Printed Circuit Board and Enter Key   

 

Circuit Board Photos:  face in a printed circuit board 

 

Stock Photo: Printed Circuit Boards Forming Waves  

Model VL Airbrush Metal Color Cup VL color cup, metal $4.96 This is a 1/4 oz. (7 cc) metal open color cup for the Paasche Model VL Airbrush . Paasche provides the largest selection of airbrush models, industrial sprayers, and support equipment in the world. All units are carefully assembled, individually inspected, and finally tested by highly skilled craftsmen to meet Paasche's high standard of excellent performance.

Model 150-7 Airbrush model 150-7 airbrush $123.25 This double action airbrush comes with three different head assemblies and needles. The choice of head assemblies enables you to spray virtually any type of material. This versatility allows the Model 150 to be used for many applications such as fine painting, technical illustration, t-shirts, ceramics, model trains, planes, cars and various craft projects. Set contains one model 150 airbrush with medium head, attachable 3/4 oz. (22 cc) jar, protective cap, extra fine and heavy duty head assemblies with needles, 1/4 oz. (7 cc) color cup, 2 oz. (60 cc) jar with cover, 8 ft. braided air hose, 1/4 in. pipe thread fitting (adapts brush to compressor or CO2 tank) wrench for head, airbrush holder, and instruction booklet.

Airbrush Parts color cup fits models 150 and 200 1 4 oz. 50-0482 $7.52 A variety of airbrush parts exclusively for Badger Airbrushes. Color jar adapter lid also fits both sizes of the storage jars.

Vega 1000 Airbrush Kit each $113.87 Similar in design to the popular Vega 2000, the Vega 1000 gravity feed airbrush features a mounted color cup for added ease of use. Self-centering, self-sealing fluid tips come in 3 sizes to handle any airbrush application. The rocker lever is attached to the needle tube for easy disassembly, eliminating the potential for loose or shifting parts falling out of the airbrush. A larger contoured one-piece trigger slips easily into place.This kit contains the Vega 1000 airbrush with 1/8 oz. mounted color cup, #3 medium tip, wrench, protective cap, braided air hose, and instruction manual in a corrugated storage box.The Vega 1000 will accommodate most properly reduced mediums, easily spraying a thin 1/32" line up to a 1-1/4" spray pattern. Engineered for easy maintenance, all Vega parts are interchangeable for little down time. #1 and #5 tips and needles are available to accommodate light and heavy fluid viscosity.

HP-C Plus Airbrush HP-C Plus Airbrush $171.52 The HP-C Plus is a practical choice for most airbrush uses. Its larger 1/3 oz. (9 ml) gravity feed cup and larger (0.3 mm) needle/nozzle configuration allow for use with most media. This airbrush does it all from fine hair lines to finely atomized background spray, along with an entire range of stippling effects. The gravity feed cup is useful for mixing custom colors and allows quick color changes. The short paint passageway from the cup to the front of the airbrush gives the HP-C Plus a responsive feel and allows it to be one of the quickest cleaning airbrushes in the industry. Replacement fluid needles are also available. The replacement needles are compatible with both the HP-C Plus and the HP-BC Plus airbrushes.

Iwata Model HP-SBS Eclipse Airbrush Kit $208.92 This Iwata model HP-SBS eclipse airbrush kit features a side-feed airbrush with a 0.35-millimeter needle and nozzle combination. This airbrush is suitable for work requiring color mixing and thicker paints.Model: HP-SBS/ ECL-3500Feed: Side feedNeedle/ nozzle: 0.35-millimeter combination with option of three cup sizesSide cup: 0.125-ounces

Vega 2000 Airbrush Kit all purpose airbrush kit $104.72 Originally designed for T-shirt artists, the Vega 2000 has become popular for all types of airbrushing. Non-seal, self-centering tips (three sizes) give unparalleled range from fine line to broad spray. Twice the needle travel for better control, the unique cutaway handle allows you to clear the tip rapidly by moving the exposed needle chuck back and forth. Smooth double action, an oversize trigger and slimline design create the best feel in airbrushing. Good for all types of fabric, art, hobby, auto, sign, and taxidermy paints. Kit includes airbrush, 6 ft. hose, three tips, three needles, three aircaps, airbrush hanger, wrench, 0.25 oz. color cup, one 2 oz. jar, two 1 oz. jars, and instructions.

Eclipse G6 Pistol Grip Airbrush Eclipse G6 $356.7 This multi-purpose, high-paint-flow, high-detail Eclipse Series airbrush covers a wide range of uses. Commonly used to spray premixed or heavier paints, it is well suited for uses demanding precise control of spray when applying moderate-to-large amounts of paint to a variety of surfaces and to various-sized areas.A unique "Pistol Grip" airbrush, the Eclipse G6 airbrush looks like a miniature spray gun, but sprays and performs like a large airbrush with its 0.6-mm stainless-steel nozzle. It?s equipped with a long tapered needle that ensures a smooth transition between fine-to-wide background spray.The airbrush also uses a dual-purpose air cap and a fan adjustment valve that lets the airbrush spray a round or oval pattern. The round pattern is useful for painting graphics, while the oval shape creates a smooth background spray.The G6 also uses a special fitting so airbrush bottles can be used instead of a gravity-feed cup, allowing for multiple color bottle

HP-C Plus Airbrush replacement fluid needle $11.26 The HP-C Plus is a practical choice for most airbrush uses. Its larger 1/3 oz. (9 ml) gravity feed cup and larger (0.3 mm) needle/nozzle configuration allow for use with most media. This airbrush does it all from fine hair lines to finely atomized background spray, along with an entire range of stippling effects. The gravity feed cup is useful for mixing custom colors and allows quick color changes. The short paint passageway from the cup to the front of the airbrush gives the HP-C Plus a responsive feel and allows it to be one of the quickest cleaning airbrushes in the industry. Replacement fluid needles are also available. The replacement needles are compatible with both the HP-C Plus and the HP-BC Plus airbrushes.

Paasche Model H-1 Hobby Airbrush Kit $106.28 This Paasche hobby model kit features a model H-1 siphon feed, single action external mix airbrush. The H-1 airbrush uses light fluids and has a 0.03125 inch spray pattern.Model: H-1Feed: SiphonMix: ExternalSpray pattern: 0.03125 inchRecommended air pressure: 0.5 to 1 cubic feet per minute at 20 to 45 pounds, depending on tip size and fluid usedComponents: Airbrush, H-0.25 metal color cup, F-186, and V-62 wrenches, one A-34 hanger, an airbrush lessons booklet, a parts list, and a storage caseClean, dry air is essential for best results

Model H (Hobby) Airbrush Set H-set single action airbrush set $70.2 Paasche Model H Airbrush is a popular airbrush recommended for beginners. It is single action, external mix, and siphon feed. Sturdy and flexible, the H airbrush is dependable and adaptable for practically any hobby use. This set has one airbrush with two additional size color adjusting parts so you can use many different color fluids. With the H#1 components, use light fluids to achieve a spray pattern from 1/32 in. to 1 in. Use the H#3 components with medium fluids for a spray pattern from 1/32 in. to 1 1/4 in. Use the H#5 components with heavy fluids to achieve a spray pattern from 1/16 in. to 1 1/2 in. wide. Recommended air pressure from .5 to 1 CFM (cubic feet per minute) at 20 to 45 pounds pressure depending on tip size and fluid being sprayed. Clean, dry air is essential for best results. This set includes the following: 1 Model H#1L single-action airbrush, 1 H-1/4 ounce metal color cup (7 cc), 1 H-1 ounce Color bottle assembly (29 cc), 1 H-3 ouncec

Transparent Airbrush Color rose $3.28 These high-quality, versatile paints are specially formulated for airbrush use. They are heavily pigmented, dry instantly, and provide superior atomization and smooth spraying.The colors come in 1 oz. bottles.

Transparent Airbrush Color violet $3.28 These high-quality, versatile paints are specially formulated for airbrush use. They are heavily pigmented, dry instantly, and provide superior atomization and smooth spraying.The colors come in 1 oz. bottles.

Transparent Airbrush Color orange $3.28 These high-quality, versatile paints are specially formulated for airbrush use. They are heavily pigmented, dry instantly, and provide superior atomization and smooth spraying.The colors come in 1 oz. bottles.

Transparent Airbrush Color ultramarine $3.28 These high-quality, versatile paints are specially formulated for airbrush use. They are heavily pigmented, dry instantly, and provide superior atomization and smooth spraying.The colors come in 1 oz. bottles.

Transparent Airbrush Color smoke $3.28 These high-quality, versatile paints are specially formulated for airbrush use. They are heavily pigmented, dry instantly, and provide superior atomization and smooth spraying.The colors come in 1 oz. bottles.

Transparent Airbrush Color black $3.28 These high-quality, versatile paints are specially formulated for airbrush use. They are heavily pigmented, dry instantly, and provide superior atomization and smooth spraying.The colors come in 1 oz. bottles.

Transparent Airbrush Color ochre $3.28 These high-quality, versatile paints are specially formulated for airbrush use. They are heavily pigmented, dry instantly, and provide superior atomization and smooth spraying.The colors come in 1 oz. bottles.

Airbrush Cleaner 4 oz. $4.5 Createx Airbrush Cleaner effectively removes dried color from all internal airbrush parts and bottle assemblies without leaving residue. A special lubricant is formulated into the cleaner to help prevent pigment buildup on the airbrush needle and tip.

Airbrush Cleaner 8 oz. $5.11 Createx Airbrush Cleaner effectively removes dried color from all internal airbrush parts and bottle assemblies without leaving residue. A special lubricant is formulated into the cleaner to help prevent pigment buildup on the airbrush needle and tip.

Opaque Airbrush Color black $3.13 High-quality, versatile paints that are specially formulated for airbrush use. Can use both the opaque and transparent versions together without bleeding due to their common hydrocarbon base finder. They are heavily pigmented, dry instantly, and provide superior atomization and smooth spraying. 1 oz. bottles.

Opaque Airbrush Color violet $3.13 High-quality, versatile paints that are specially formulated for airbrush use. Can use both the opaque and transparent versions together without bleeding due to their common hydrocarbon base finder. They are heavily pigmented, dry instantly, and provide superior atomization and smooth spraying. 1 oz. bottles.

Opaque Airbrush Color ultramarine $3.13 High-quality, versatile paints that are specially formulated for airbrush use. Can use both the opaque and transparent versions together without bleeding due to their common hydrocarbon base finder. They are heavily pigmented, dry instantly, and provide superior atomization and smooth spraying. 1 oz. bottles.

Opaque Airbrush Color carmine $3.13 High-quality, versatile paints that are specially formulated for airbrush use. Can use both the opaque and transparent versions together without bleeding due to their common hydrocarbon base finder. They are heavily pigmented, dry instantly, and provide superior atomization and smooth spraying. 1 oz. bottles.

Opaque Airbrush Color white $3.13 High-quality, versatile paints that are specially formulated for airbrush use. Can use both the opaque and transparent versions together without bleeding due to their common hydrocarbon base finder. They are heavily pigmented, dry instantly, and provide superior atomization and smooth spraying. 1 oz. bottles.

Opaque Airbrush Color magenta $3.13 High-quality, versatile paints that are specially formulated for airbrush use. Can use both the opaque and transparent versions together without bleeding due to their common hydrocarbon base finder. They are heavily pigmented, dry instantly, and provide superior atomization and smooth spraying. 1 oz. bottles.

Model H Airbrush Parts color adjustment part H5 $9.42 Replacement parts for the Model H Airbrush.

Model H Airbrush Parts color adjustment part H1 $9.42 Replacement parts for the Model H Airbrush.

Model H Airbrush Parts color adjustment part H3 $9.42 Replacement parts for the Model H Airbrush.

Model H Airbrush Parts color bottle assembly, glass 3 oz. $4.7 Replacement parts for the Model H Airbrush.

Model H Airbrush Parts color bottle assembly, glass 1 oz. $4.75 Replacement parts for the Model H Airbrush.

Airbrush Color Sets opaque $11.12 Jacquard Airbrush Colors are artist quality, water-based paints specifically formulated for airbrushing onto a variety of surfaces. They are for use on all surfaces, including fabric, leather, wood, plastic, and metal.The colors come in Transparent, Opaque and Metallic and are all intermixable. Each set contains eight bottles of color (14 ml) and one bottle of clear varnish (14 ml).Transparent set contains transparent colors: yellow, red, blue, green, violet, brown, black, and white.Metallic set contains metallic colors: yellow, red, blue, true gold, solar gold, silver, copper, and white.Opaque set contains opaque colors: yellow, red, blue, green, violet, sepia, black, and white.

Airbrush Color Sets transparent $11.12 Jacquard Airbrush Colors are artist quality, water-based paints specifically formulated for airbrushing onto a variety of surfaces. They are for use on all surfaces, including fabric, leather, wood, plastic, and metal.The colors come in Transparent, Opaque and Metallic and are all intermixable. Each set contains eight bottles of color (14 ml) and one bottle of clear varnish (14 ml).Transparent set contains transparent colors: yellow, red, blue, green, violet, brown, black, and white.Metallic set contains metallic colors: yellow, red, blue, true gold, solar gold, silver, copper, and white.Opaque set contains opaque colors: yellow, red, blue, green, violet, sepia, black, and white.

Airbrush Color Sets metallic $11.12 Jacquard Airbrush Colors are artist quality, water-based paints specifically formulated for airbrushing onto a variety of surfaces. They are for use on all surfaces, including fabric, leather, wood, plastic, and metal.The colors come in Transparent, Opaque and Metallic and are all intermixable. Each set contains eight bottles of color (14 ml) and one bottle of clear varnish (14 ml).Transparent set contains transparent colors: yellow, red, blue, green, violet, brown, black, and white.Metallic set contains metallic colors: yellow, red, blue, true gold, solar gold, silver, copper, and white.Opaque set contains opaque colors: yellow, red, blue, green, violet, sepia, black, and white.

Revolution Series CR Airbrush CR airbrush $82.94 The CR Airbrush is the perfect tool for those new to airbrushing. Gravity-fed, it has a 0.5 mm. needle and nozzle combination and a 1/3 oz. gravity feed cup. The funnel design of the cup makes clean-up easier, with less wasted paint, while the short distance from cup to nozzle allows for more consistent paint flow. The CR Airbrush features a double action main lever and a counter-weighted ergonomic handle. It has a spray pattern of 1/16 in. to 1 1/2 in. Replacement nozzles are also available.

Kustom Micron CM Airbrush Airbrush $588.87 The ?mac daddy? of all airbrushes, the Kustom CM provides extreme spray control, silky smooth atomization, and excellent paint flow control. Its hand-tuned, hand-adjusted performance is perfect for ultra fine line work.Features:0.23 mm ?Matched Head System? PTFE needle packings Large, 1/2 oz. (14 ml) gravity fluid cup Taller trigger for extreme control of action and paint flow Pre-set handle MAC Valve for precise air pressure control This airbrush is part of Iwata's Kustom series designed for auto artists and are great for atomizing solvent-based paints.

Airbrush Restorer 16 oz. $10.63 Safely dissolves hardened and dried paint Restores rubber O-rings and Teflon packing. Submerse the airbrush or airbrush parts completely in restorer for 1 to 2 hours to totally dissolve dried color. Rinse parts and spray water through airbrush before use or storage.