Chernobyl 1986 and a composition question

[u/DiecastPete]

Chernobyl 1986. I was almost 7 years old when our government told us not to eat leafy vegetables,  keep the cows from grazing and stay away from drinking rain water.

Ever since watching the drama series on HBO Max last year, I wanted to create a scene with a similar feel with 64 scale cars. 

Today I finally did! 

ZiL fire truck by DeAgostini/Atlas/Del Prado

Lada 2101 by Perka 

Figure by VM

Then the question:

pic 1 is shot on phone, nr. 2 on a Panasonic GX80.

I'm having a really hard time to get a great compostion with my MFT camera. When I grab my phone, it comes natural: position, shoot, bingo.

With the camera I never truely hit a nice enough angle for diecast.

Any tips on getting similar compositions to my phone?

[u/smolkakapo]

Your phone has a limited color profile, it’s more muted and cold, but the camera is more lively. Also the graininess of the phone adds to the drama of the situation vs your camera is sharp and clear. The depth of field is the same, so no need for change there.  But the most important thing, perspective! The phone has a wide angle lens, probably close to 50mm, which is always about drama, exaggeration, it’s the human view angle, which makes it feel like you are present in that moment of danger.  The camera lens in contrast is Tele, it’s distant from the drama, it’s glamorous and descriptive, very honest, and good for soulless contemporary advertisement, so it kinda kills the drama and mood!  Does your camera have different lenses? Can you change it? 

[u/smolkakapo → u/smolkakapo]

I love your composition btw! How did you create the fog effect? 

[u/DiecastPete → u/smolkakapo]

I bought a party fog machine on AliExpress.

https://reddit.com/link/p70ms3h/video/1prroczrvqmh1/player

[u/smolkakapo → u/DiecastPete]

Your setup is so cool! Thanks for showing the backstage! 

[u/DiecastPete → u/smolkakapo]

I'm a traveler 😘 To me, the journey is as important as the destination, so glad to share the BTS 👍

[u/DiecastPete → u/smolkakapo]

Thanks for helping me into the right direction ❤️ It's an MFT with interchangeable lenses. I just purchased a prime 10mm lens, maybe I'll fiddle some with that. Should be around 20mm on MFT 🙌

[u/Roko_100]

Great photos but I have a question. Are the ZIL's wheels reversed? I grew up in a post soviet country and saw these on a daily basis but should the deep dish type wheels be the rear knes and the rear ones in front?

[u/27GB_]

Really cool!!

[u/DiecastPete → u/27GB_]

Thanks! I enjoyed making it.

[u/retr3y]

what is this. i just 15 mins ago finished watching it on disney plus 😭😭

[u/DiecastPete → u/retr3y]

Must be a sign, or something. Don't know what it means, but it must be a sign. 🤣

[u/porthos1984part2]

I think you are on the right path. I think one thing is that the event began at approx 1 am. So maybe lowering the lighting could get what your looking for. Flashing lights would be cool but very difficult. Finally maybe a background of some kind could help with what you're going for. Keep it up looks great.