Maya cast's Photography Competition.

As most of you are aware, Maya Cast are having a Photography competition. So obviously I got my camera out and started taking some snaps. This did also give me an opportunity to learn how to use my camera in more than the two ways I know. It has a lot of things it can do I just have no idea how! So first off I posted on a Facebook page. I am a member of "Strictly Yorkshire Photography" - these guys don't mess about, it is STRICTLY Yorkshire photography. I heard that one time a guy posted a pic of the sign post that said welcome to Yorkshire, and he got taken away in a van during the night. I was having problems taking photos and getting everything in focus, but a few people replied to my post and it made a huge improvement. As a side note people kept suggesting I use this technique called 'tilt-shift photography'. Its pretty cool makes real life look like miniatures. Not much help as I want my miniatures to look like real life.

An example of Tilt-shift photography

So anyway I asked my mate Matt if I could use his models again because they are way more pretty than mine. The comp is about photography not painting but we all know it will be a way better photo if the scenery and models are all looking top notch. I waited for the sun to go down so I could shine my lamp over head. I wanted this to give the illusion of flood lights or street lamps, but think it just made it look like I was shining a cheap Ikea lamp on some toy soldiers. Hopefully this will be sorted in Photoshop.

Instead of photographing lots of models I wanted each attempt to have a theme to it, or to tell a story or at least set a scene. Fortunately for me Corvus Belli make bloody awesome miniatures so this was done quite easily. I wanted to make some of the scenes look as natural as I could, so I tried to set up the scenery to look really busy and not like it was set up for a gaming table. As such there is a lot going on in some of the photographs. I started by trying to hide the bases as I felt that they draw away from the idea and made it look like models on a board.

This was my first scene I set up. The idea was something along the line of 'Stalker' or 'The hunter becomes the hunted'. I think it worked really well. The scatter terrain really makes it look natural and both the models seem to be after the other. But who is after who and do they even know the other is right around the corner? This works really well considering the Spekter has TO and infiltration but the Neisses has MSV Lv2. 

I had to zoom right out to make sure everything was in focus. This took a while to get right as the Spekter is a little further forward and it would not focus on both models at the same time. But after fiddling with the setting I got there in the end. I also tried to mess about with smoke as I had taken photos in the past where someone had blown smoke over the game table using a vaporiser and it looked awesome. All I had to use however was a cheap cigar I got at the duty free and it didn't work quite so well this time. 

Previous attempt at smoke

New attempt at smoke

As you can see it did not work out so well. Oh well, all ideas can't be winners.

I toyed with the idea of submitting a close up. Nice photo but it didn't really tell much of a story and looked more like a show case of the painting. As I am sure you all totally read my blog all the time, that was what I did for the last few posts so I didn't see the point.

Stalker

This is the final edit. All I did was crop and change a few colour setting as there was a bit too much yellow and it was throwing off the other colours in the scene. I think it works well. There is a lot going on in the scene but not so much so that it takes away from the models. They almost look alone. As if they are the last men alive and still fighting to the bitter end. I called this one 'Hunter' so its up to the viewer to decided who that is.

Hunter

Next up I used the same two models to set a very similar scene. This was my original idea. I wanted the viewer to wonder what was going to happen in the next few seconds. The thought was of both these units popping their heads around the corner and startling each other. My money would be on the Spekter at that range but who knows, maybe that Neisses is completely aware and has his pistol at the ready. I wanted to play around with the lighting so made this image a lot darker.

Close call

This was final edit. I like the photo and my favourite part is actually the sign in the background as it makes the scene look natural. Probably wont submit this but was still fun to create. Almost looks as if they both know what's going on. Reminds me of those fights in the play ground where no one wants to punch the other kid first "GO ON THEN" "NAH GO ON THEN HIT ME" "NAH YOU HIT ME" "DONT BE A PUSSY DO IT" and so on and so on.

"I have been in your phone and you have been talking to that bitch again!"

I really like the Hafza model even though he looks like a bouncer who is fed up of someone trying to convince him they "have not had to much tonight". I had the Nomad pointing for the next photo and thought the scene just wrote itself. Definitetly not going to submit this shot but had to give it a go. I have titled it "I have been in your phone and you have been talking to that bitch again!" Pretty much self explanatory really.

The next few images were all basically the same. The two models reminded me of our modern sniper teams. One spotter and one shooter. I don't think these guys are necessarily hunting an enemy. More like they are on a recon mission days before the battle begins. The lighting on these was a bit bright. Still getting used to it. Think I need a bulb that's more clear instead of standard living room bulb that gives off a slightly yellow glow.

Target sighted 

This photo worked well. I was worried that the background would take too much away from the scene as it had more going on that the foreground, but came out nicely when cropped right.

Target sighted 

This image was the better of the two. Almost gives the impression they have been scouting out building and are deciding what one to search out next. The Alguacil on the left is not shooting but using his scope to . . . well, scope things out.

This was one of my favourite images. Who doesn't like bikes? I wanted to show someone getting caught off guard and this sums it up perfectly. Shame though, considering he is Pan O he will probably fail at what ever it is he is doing and get killed to death anyway. I did have another image with the doctor on the floor but she was all out of focus so this will have to do.

Caught pants down

Final image turned out OK. One of my favourites. The blue really stands out on the Fusilier's amour against all the green in the photo.

Dug in

I wanted to use some of my own models for at least a few photographs, so got my Moblots out. I really wish they had a 5th model for Moblots that was not an Equipe Mirage. These guys make a good link and look bad ass when all together. They may be Ariadna HI but they still kick some ass. I also wanted to have a photograph in a rectangle so this gave me the perfect opportunity.

Hunted

This is actually my favourite picture out of all of them. Really looks like the Foxtrots are in their natural fighting environment. The Spekter doesn't care about his bright amour as he has TO anyway. I like this photo so much probably due to the fact I watched Predator yesterday. I wont be submitting it however for two reasons: One of the Foxtrots is not a Corvus Belli model. Secondly its not easy to see right away so will definitely not put me in the running. Anyway those are my musings and attempts at Miniatures photography.

More D20 fun.

So me and Oli decided to play another D20 mission as we have smashed out so much ITS recently. This time we rolled 'Collect Debris' on d20 V2.6, I can honestly say this is my favourite mission out of all the D20 missions we have played so far. I decided to use my Pan O as they don't get used much now as they are not ITS worthy. This time however Oli used my old Nomad faction as he wanted to test them out, as he is thinking of using them as his next faction. A few proxies in this game but we will have to just deal with it. So below are our lists and mission brief.

Collect Debris 3

A civilian space ship has crashed under dubious circumstances. Troopers from rivaling nations are picking up debris which could entail clues about the cause of the crash.

Deployment: Before the Initiative roll, 12 objective markers are being deployed. The players alternate in placing 6 markers each. Roll off to see who starts. The markers should have around 25 mm diameter. They count as being S0. The OM have to be placed:

- Within 8 inches of the central line

- At least 4 inches away from each other

Picking up debris: In order to pick up debris, a trooper must be in base contact with the marker and spend a short order skill, succeeding in an unmodified WIP check. Forward Observers get a +3 modifier to this roll. The OM is placed next to the model.

If a model carrying debris falls into a null state, leave the OMs on the board ready to be picked up A trooper can carry up to 3 OM. This limit does not apply to models with the baggage skill.When using troopers with the skills G: Synchronised or G: Servant , only one of the models activated with the order may be used to pick up debris. Victory conditions: At the end of the game, count the total of the debris marker in possession of the own troopers. Markers who went off the board with a trooper in a retreat situation still count as being in possession of that trooper.

1 OP for every two debris markers in possession of own troopers.

+1 OP for the player who has collected more debris.

As you can see lots and lots of stuff to grab. I much prefer this instead of focusing in on one objective and defending one small area of the table. It gave a lot to think about when deploying.

So, this was the table after we had set up all the markers. Having so many does not give much room for sneaky deployment; they all just have to sort of wiggle in whereever they can. This did mean we could choose our sides more on the high ground rather than objective deployment. Oli won the Initiative roll and decided to choose the table side with the massive building and make me deploy first. Here is my list:

Standard style of play for me, one big order pool, lots of tanks and a small order pool of defensive units to transfer over if things get a little hairy. I don't use ORC troops much as I feel for the same points you can have much much better units. But this was a friendly game and I wanted to get out some models I don't often use.

Oli wanted to go vanilla so he took a bit of everything. Having not used hackers before he went for two Custodiers. I did not like this. Slightly larger order pools than me but I was playing Pan O so was totally expecting this...

Turn 1

I set up first. No tricks or silliness just a lot of ORC troopers ready to get stuck in. First things first I gave my Sierra bot support ware (because if you don't you're silly and need to take a good look at your life). It then pumped 4 shots into his Reaktion bot on top of the roof. Managed to put it down but not for good as I only had one order to spend (Oli took two away knowing I would shoot everything in sight). As I had to set up first I didn't know what my enemy was going to deploy, so my ORC hacker found himself in the line of fire to a custodier. I ran forward hoping he would fluff his ARO with a shotgun. He did not and although I might have a mighty BS being that far away, in cover and having ODD I was not in for much of a chance either. The Hacker ORC took a wound then hid in a corner to lick his wounds. After that I spent all of my orders running my baggage bot up the table behind cover and grabbed up as much as I could like a greedy little bugger. With my last order I got my baggage bot to hunker down in the middle of the board, equipped with a combi rifle and total reaktion. I would have liked to have given him support ware as well but did not have enough orders.

Next it was Oliver's go. He managed to get his helper bot up to the top of the roof and get his Reaktion bot back on its feet. Next he dropped a repeater on the floor near by so he could give support ware. I had not even considered this move. Now all my hard effort was for nothing as he smashed me back. Both our bots had the same BS and support ware so it was down to a good old fashioned face to face in its rawest form. But I lost that and now I was down a reaction HMG and the tables had turned. This was quite order intensive for him so with his last few orders Oli use his hacking device to give both his ODD hackers Cyber Mask. Now I was starting to panic as they both had shotguns and my guys were none the wiser. The only redeeming factor was that he spent so much time blasting me away that he didn't get any loot, so it was not all bad.

Turn 2

Now it was time for revenge. I decided to use my trump card and brought on my Commando. I gave him a spit fire as I feel it would be rude not to when he has such a good BS. He walked on the board as close as I could get to Oli's deployment and went on a bit of a mad one. I decided to be cautious and take on one enemy at a time. Normally I would split my burst as I was gunning down line troops but I wanted this guy to live as long as he could. Long story short I pumped loads of orders into him and he took out 2 Alguacils, 1 Moderator and two Krazy Koalas. Then he hunkered down in between a box and a wall went into suppression behind enemy lines and shouted "Come at me bro!"

The ORC then moved into position in the storage building ready to nab some loot next turn. In the small order pool I just put what I had left into suppression . . . except the Warcor as he is rubbish and only carries a camera and sun pistol as everything else has been banned by the Concilium Convention. At least one person has to play by the rules right?

Oliver's turn two was played out slightly more aggressive. His Reverend was now looking rather PanOish so was able to just wander up the board as he pleased. Sad times for me as my force has the WIP of a rock and didn't manage to pass one roll to see what was going on. This let him blast my baggage bot carrying all the loot at close range and took it out sharpish. He then used cyber mask again, spent one order to move a tiny bit further and smashed my ORC brandishing a HMG. He decided to take him on right in the open so I didn't get cover. Having BS14 is great but not when someone pops out of  impersonation within 8 and has ODD. Seriously Nomads wind me up some times :) To put the Icing on the cake he then repaired his Lunkohod that I took down on the sly on the first turn. Now I had no loot and was down a baggage bot and HMG ORC.

Turn 3

Now it was time for redemption. I was on the war path and out for revenge. I decided to get my Commando going again as he knocked a nice chunk out of Oliver's force the first turn he came into action and I wanted to keep the momentum up. First off I spent an order to move him out of his hidey hole and look right down the back of the board. I got a nice shot at his clock maker at long range, was basically a free kill. I spent another order to start advancing up and at the last second realised he had a camo marker right around the corner of the building I was trying to sneak past. I knew it would either be an Intruder or Zero and did not want to risk that X Visor sniper at close range. This made me crawl back into the hole I came out of and re-think my battle plan. Not wanting to have my other models feel left out, I put a few orders into my ORC hacker. He jumped forward to take a shot at his Lunkohod Remote. All good in theory, it had a shotgun at long range and I was an ORC with nice BS. But then suddenly out of nowhere a wild Spekter appeared! I tried to take it on but I was no match for him and he blasted the ORC to the ground. I then spent a few orders: I ran my med bot for 3 orders around the side of the table, over some bins and through the storage room. Rolled a 20 but no worries I have a cube and a command token. WRONG. I rolled an 18 and killed him dead for good. I had two orders left and no chance of  getting anything else, so I thought I would just make it as hard as possible for Oli to grab anything himself. He had spent all of his efforts smashing my force in. So with my last few orders I put my commando in the open looking right down his lines and shot the Spekter in the back. With my last order I put him into suppression. If I could stop him from getting anything I would win with 1 point.

Oliver had not many orders left at this point but did not need to do much to win, just grab two objectives and he had his ODD hackers right up the board. But first he had to deal with my Commando. He ran his camo marker up so it was within 16 and popped out to reveal a Zero with a combi. Both of us standing in the open shooting right at each other it took him 3 full orders and he ended up losing. It felt good watching that many orders get wasted on nothing, especially at this point in the game where order efficiency was crucial. At this point I think Oli had had enough of my Spitfire and decided to deal with him using his Intruder. He moved with one order to pop out and blast him with a multi-sniper at close range. At this point my luck had run dry and and he exploded into red mist. It was sad to see him go but he did so much damage it was completely worth it. The Intruder then moved forward and picked up two objectives. With the last few orders both of his Custodiers scooped up a few each completely unopposed, and that was that.

So that was the end, a solid victory to the Nomad Scum but well deserved. The final score ended up at 6 - 1 to Oliver.

This guy gets my man of the match for the amount of kills he got.

The ORC hacker gets the wooden spoon award for being completely useless and getting killed by two AROs.

Oliver's wooden spoon goes to the Zero as he wasted 3 orders in face to face rolls with a commando and ended up getting killed for nothing.

Finally Oliver's MVP goes to this Reverend who killed all of the things and grabbed a little space loot.